The death of a 6-year-old boy in North Amityville has brought the issue of school bus safety to the forefront Tuesday.

Police say first-grader Markus Smith was killed by the same school bus that dropped him off at his bus stop Monday. Witnesses say Smith crossed the street before quickly turning back in search of his friends. After the bus drove about 15 feet, witnesses say the front left tire rolled over the boy.

According to Paul Mori, of the Hendrickson Bus Corporation, children are at risk due to their height and because they are easily distracted. He says parents and kids need to understand the rules of bus safety, the dangers of getting on and off the bus and where the danger zone around the bus is located. Mori adds one of the things his company tries to teach kids is that school buses are not toys. Kids are instructed to take 10 giant steps off the bus immediately and to never go back for items left on a bus.

Related InformationAmerican Academy of PediatricsNational Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationSchool Bus and School Zone Safety Kids Page