As we get older, its funny how our outlook on things take on a new perspective. Our tolerance level seems to increase over the years and we try to understand better under any given situation. After I got my drivers license for example. Whenever I got stuck behind a school bus slowly going my way doing its job, I would get impatient and look for an opening to get around it. Its seems like the more I wanted to get around it, the slower it seemed to go. When I finally got around it, I felt relieved only to come upon another one coming from the other direction and had to stop and wait. Even though I was impatient, I knew enough to respect the flashing red lights and stop.

 Years later, as my own son had to get on a school bus on a busy road, I witnessed first hand where someone had disregarded the stopped school bus and flashing lights and fortunately he saw them in time to avoid a serious situation. It still makes me shudder to think of what could have happened if he had not seen the car first. 

 Now I am driving a school bus part time and it's amazing to see how people react to a school bus on a daily basis. They cut you off, tailgate you, pass you on the right, and curse you because you are going too slow. And this is only the second month of school! 

 My attitude about school bus drivers has changed dramatically. I understand what an important job they have to do. They have a very large responsibility when they get behind the wheel. They have to be held accountable for their bus and the precious cargo they carry. There are many rules and regulations about school buses that I wasn't aware of until I started driving one. 

 For example, most school districts require that the maximum speed on a given road is five to ten miles per hour under the posted speed limit. So if the speed limit is forty five, you may only do forty or thirty five depending on the regulations of the school district you drive for. This is one reason there is usually a line behind a school bus. 

 Where ever possible, a driver will usually pull over and let the cars pass only when it is safe to do so. There are too many rules to list here, but they are all in the interest of safety.

 It is a fact that the safest form of travel of any kind is a school bus. It is also true that New York State has the best school bus safety record in the country. To any parent who has a child riding on a school bus, this should make them feel confident knowing that their loved ones are in good hands.

 This is why I have a new respect for anyone who carries passengers such as bus drivers, pilots, and train engineers. The lives of many rest in your hands and it's a responsibility that can easily be taken for granted. Be patient with school buses and their drivers. It may be your loved one they are carrying.