Child

vs. vehicle collisions in Fayette County are

still fairly rare, according to the Sheriff's

Department, but they still happen.

"Nothing

stops a public safety professional's heart faster

than hearing that a child has been hit by a

car," said Sheriff Randall Johnson.

Every

school year such tragic stories are heard across

the state, and they are becoming more and more

frequent, while the public safety community

struggles to solve the problem.

Children

are usually pretty excited about getting home on

the school bus at the end of a long school day.

Often, the last thing on their minds is safety

- especially crossing the street, which is

where the danger lies, as children are on the

roadways amid cars with drivers trying to go

about their daily tasks.

"Our

first responsibility as adults and parents is to

take care of our children," said Johnson,

adding that parents need to talk to their

children about the dangers of being pedestrians

on the streets, how being hit by a car can hurt

or even kill.

Major

Wayne Hannah, director of traffic enforcement for

the Sheriff's Department, makes it easy for

motorists.

"If

you see a school bus, see danger. Assume that if

you're near a school bus, that bus has just

dropped off its riders," he said. "Be

alert and slow down. Children are unpredictable,

often very quick, and hard to spot.

"If

you see a child near the road, take your foot off

the gas and cover the brake. Try to get eye

contact with the child. If they don't seem to see

you, honk your horn - that'll get their

attention. Above all else, be prepared to stop or

avoid the child."

The

Sheriff's Department is reminding everyone in a

recent statement that "children are our most

precious resource; let's work together to protect

them."

"Rest

assured," said Johnson. "We'll be doing

our part. Please do yours, and if you see someone

driving recklessly or children playing

dangerously near the road, call us and help us

help the kids."

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