It’s something which may save more children’s lives, but still it is no substitute for human error, says Freeman Waller, assistant superintendent of Dallas County Schools.

The school system recently announced plans to purchase new bus arms for a fleet of new buses.

Waller added that the school system plans to purchase the buses after a bidding process has taken place. The company with the lowest bid will receive the contract from the school system. Altogether, the school system will purchase 20 to 25 new buses, Waller said, adding that the cost of the bus arms would total $15,000, money which would be obtained through a state grant.

An accident in November of last year left one student dead in Dallas County, after the student was hit by a school bus that delivered her home.

Four-year-old Katerricia Tyvonne Hardy, who attended Shiloh Elementary School, was struck by the bus at 178 Jackson Drive in Sardis. The bus was driven by off-duty Selma police officer Moses Suttles.

According to press reports, Trooper Donald Frazer of the Montgomery State Trooper Post said the student had exited the bus. The driver apparently thought she had crossed the road. “When the bus went forward, he [Suttles] realized he had hit the girl,” Frazer was quoted as saying.

Waller said that the addition of bus arms should reduce the possibility of accidents. But he added that bus arms are no substitute for driver error.

“It is up to the driver to always be observant of what is going on,” Waller said. “Even though the bus arms will help, they are in no way the most important thing in preventing an accident. The driver is still responsible for being watchful at all times.”

Waller added that students who enter buses also need to always be aware of their surroundings, and always stand at least 10 feet away from the stopping point of a school bus.

“The bus arms will help, but it still up to both students and drivers to be careful, and always be aware of what is happening around them at all times,” he said. “That is still the most important thing to remember, when it comes to safety.”