SPRINGFIELD — The death last week of a Texas elementary school teacher has prompted Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White to re-issue a warning to all school children never to walk behind a school bus.
A teacher in Spring Branch, Texas, last week was struck and killed by a school bus as she walked behind the bus while it was backing up. The driver apparently did not see the woman and the bus struck and ran over her.
White, whose office conducts school bus safety presentations in schools across Illinois, said the rear of the bus is one of the most dangerous areas for pedestrians.
"The driver of that bus in Texas was unable to see the teacher and, as a result, there was a tragedy," White said. "I want to take this opportunity to warn children as well as adults to stay away from the rear of school buses."
White said the tragedy proves that not even adults are exempt from school bus safety awareness.
"Children must realize that even adults must follow the essential rules of school bus safety," White said. "Our goal in Illinois is a perfect safety record. Respecting the danger of a school bus will help us achieve that goal."
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