Nearly one week later, our community is sorting through the emotional aftermath of the fatal school bus accident near Citra. In shock, we read the news as the story unfolded. We learned that, for the Schee family, tragedy can strike twice. We were told of humans becoming heroes. And we were reminded of something mothers already know: We will charge into a burning bus to save our children.
I cannot comprehend the loss. I only know these are the times when you get a front row seat to the power of compassion. Many individuals have made monetary donations to the students’ families, and more contributions are coming. People are dropping off bags of groceries on doorsteps and organizing fundraisers to cover medical expenses. I’ve seen it before in times of crisis — friends and strangers come together to carry those who are hurting.
This is what we can do to help. But I’m also trying to think of what can be done to prevent another tragedy like this. Not only what can be done to ensure safe roads for big and small vehicles alike, but also, more specifically, what I can do.
For starters, I can stop talking on my cell phone while driving.
At this point, we don’t know if this was the primary cause of the accident, but the Florida Highway Patrol reports the truck driver was using his phone just prior to the crash. And before rushing to conclusions, I accept that which is fact: I use my cell phone in the car. And, sometimes, I’m distracted by it. My daughter told me some other children in her class were talking about the bus accident, noting the cell phone part of the story. She reminded me that I’ve been on the phone while driving, too.
She’s right. And I’m wrong.
I’ll spare sharing statistics of cell phone-related traffic accidents and how text messaging is at an all-time high in relationship to some of those accidents. I don’t text message. I’m not that perceptive. But I do grab my purse on the passenger seat and rummage through the bag, throwing everything out onto the car floor with my right hand to find the music-chiming phone while steering the wheel with my left hand.
And I do look down to dial a number while driving because if I can return just one more call before my next stop then I’ll be caught up.
I’m not proud of this. I previously banned myself from talking on the phone when picking up the kids from school as a personal pledge to my children; they are more important to me than someone on the phone.
Now it’s time to take this promise one step further, because other people’s children are more important to me than someone on the phone.
We will continue to help the families of the school bus accident with our compassion and, just maybe, a personal promise to do better when at the wheel.
