"What we have learned since has been deeply troubling. Every school day, thousands upon thousands of cars drive around stopped school buses. In Virginia alone it happens about 600,000 times a year, according to one study. A New York study found that 50,000 times a day drivers didn't stop for a school bus that was letting children on or off. In Mississippi, approximately 3,000 to 5,000 times a day someone passes a stopped school bus illegally. As a result, 17 children -- most of them under age 8 -were killed in 2009 year while getting on or off a school bus, according to a national survey by the Kansas State Department of Education. This madness has to stop. For the sake and safety of other children, we must take action to help prevent this type of event from ever happening again."

A tragedy such as Nathan's doesn't affect just the family of the victim, it can affect the entire community. 

The penalties for passing a stopped school bus in the state of Mississippi are as follows:

• 1st offense: up to $750.00 fine
• 2nd offense: up to $1,500.00 fine and up to one year jail time
• If you injure a child there is a statute that states you will face an aggravated assault charge and face up to 20 years in prison. 

Pay attention to the roadways and don't let a tragedy occur because of impatience.  Let's take the extra step of precaution to protect our Mississippi children.