Muttering out, “Look what he just did; he almost died and he doesn’t even know it.” “Look what she did; she pulled out in front of that dump truck. She’d have been killed if he hadn’t swerved and doesn’t even know it.” Kids on the bus asked, “Who you talking to Mr Green?

“Well, myself unless anybody’s listening.” “Yeah, well what were you talking about?” “The driver over there just pulled out in front of the tanker truck. If he hadn’t had good brakes, he would have crushed her. She was seconds away from death and doesn’t even know it.”

After a while they were watching what was going on around them instead of trying to fight on the bus (another benefit). They noticed some bad driving even I missed. (I was proud of them.) Over a period of time, they realized how dangerous we ALL are. I don’t know if it really helped when they were old enough to drive but I think they did.

That’s the main thing: up until the time most people start driving, they quite often think that driving is “nothin’ to it” because they/we just got in the vehicle and went there without paying attention.

Nobody ever mentioned the dangers. So whether you drive a bus or car or whatever you do, please point it out to your children — and not just once or now and then — before you put them behind the wheel. For their safety and the safety of others you care about and love. (Especially mine.)

I hope this makes sense to you. (and while I’m at it just think how many years it took me to think about the fact that BUS is in your name, Shelly. Sad, very sad.)

Best wishes to all of you and those you hold dear. Treat each day as an opportunity to do something good and do it