MDZ Shield

The MDZ Shield (or Minimize Danger Zone Shield) is a safety device for school buses, consisting of a two-piece polyurethane guard that encloses the upper wheel well opening and covers the gap in front of the right rear wheels, designed to deflect a person out of the path of the wheels in order to prevent injury or death.

The "danger zone," which the shield acts to mitigate, refers to the area extending 10 feet to the front, rear and sides of the school bus, where children are at most risk of being hit by passing vehicles or by their own bus.

Of all fatalities involving the rear wheels, 83% took place on the right side of the bus.

In addition to the 10 feet surrounding the school bus, there is typically an approximately 2 foot vertical gap in front of the rear wheels between the undercarriage and the ground, in which a child is at increased risk of coming in contact with the tire.

The shield can deflect a child out of the path of the school bus, thereby minimizing the extent of injury in the danger zone.