What is the 'danger zone' concept as it applies to passenger vehicle loading and unloading?

THE DANGER ZONE is a safety concept describing the areas around a vehicle where pedestrians — especially children — are most at risk of being run over because they fall in the driver's blind spots. DANGER ZONES AROUND A BUS: FRONT: The area directly in front of the bus is partially visible from the driver's seat but the immediate area within 10 feet of the front bumper is a partial blind spot; a child who falls in front of the bus is likely invisible; THE SIDES: Especially the right (passenger) side; children who exit the bus and turn back toward the bus, who run between parked vehicles, or who approach from behind can be in the right-side blind spot; THE BACK: The area directly behind the rear of the bus is completely invisible without mirrors; children running from behind to board can be in this zone; DRIVER TECHNIQUE: Before moving after a stop: check ALL mirrors systematically; scan all corners of the vehicle; for school buses specifically, use the crossing arm (front cross-view mirror bar) and require students to cross in front at least 10 feet ahead of the bus; wait for students to reach a point where they are visible in the cross-view mirror before moving; never assume a child is clear just because you don't see them — confirm you CAN see them; TRAGIC CONTEXT: Many school bus pedestrian fatalities involve the bus's own students who were in the danger zone around the bus — this is why the danger zone is a heavily emphasized safety concept.