Distracted driving has become an epidemic in the United States. Unable or unwilling to focus their attention on the road, too many people choose to use their cellphone or other electronic devices while driving. Others believe, despite all evidence to the contrary, that eating or putting on makeup behind the wheel are safe and won’t cause a car accident.

Even the areas where children get on and off the school bus are not safe from distracted drivers. American Traffic Solutions, a company that provides traffic-light cameras, says that more than 100 children are killed each year in car crashes in school zones, and more than 25,000 injured.

A representative from the company says that its cameras have helped reduce the risk of these sorts of incidents when installed on school buses and in school zones. Other times, cameras have caught distracted drivers in the act.

In one case, a video shows a young teen narrowly avoid getting hit by a semi truck. The seventh grader’s school bus was stopped with its stop-arm engaged and flashing lights on. Nevertheless, the truck driver did not heed these warnings and drove past on the shoulder, right where the girl was standing.

Fortunately, the teen got out of the way in time. But with the dust, it was not immediately clear that no collision had taken place. For a moment, the bus driver thought the girl had been killed.

Children should be able to get to and from school safely, without having to worry about distracted drivers. Driving while distracted is a clear form of negligence. Sadly, people often get killed by distracted drivers. When that happens, the victim’s family may be entitled to compensation.