Please, drivers, put safety of children first

We all recently learned of a tragedy in Indiana involving a stopped school bus, students and a driver who for some reason disobeyed the flashing red lights and the stop arm. This led to a horrific tragedy where three young siblings were killed and another student was critically injured.

This tragedy could occur any day, anywhere, even in our community where nearly 10,000 students and many staff are headed to our campuses. I ask all of you in our community to think about how we have all at one time or another fallen into any sort of distracted driving habits, whether that be rarely, occasionally, or as a matter of constant habit.

Whatever the case, please, for the sake of our precious students, for our fellow commuters and for their loved ones in our community, consider seriously changing any habits you may have that can lead to a moment of distraction. That's all it takes to affect the lives of so many - forever.

Distracted driving has become a true epidemic. With the technology we have at our disposal in our vehicles, it is so easy to check that notification or to just respond "LOL" to an innocuous text. It can wait. It always did before and it can again.

I pledge to make an affirmative effort to keep from any distraction on our roads and for our Huntley 158 community, I ask that you do as well. Be accountable and help your loved ones be accountable and keep our roads safe for all.

Michael J. Fleck, President

Huntley 158 Board of Education