To prevent car accidents, Steve Gardner started working on a lighting system. The vehicle maintenance supervisor for the Lucas County (Ohio) Board of Developmental Disabilities, Gardner invented a system to increase visibility of the bus and young pedestrians. Two red LED lights mounted on a bus's front grille raise its visibility, and a white LED floodlight attached to the front bumper illuminate children crossing the street.

Unity School Bus Parts of Marine City, Mich., is marketing and distributing the system for about $225, or about $120 for the white LED floodlight alone, for the company Gardner started, Gardian Angel, LLC.

The death of high school freshman Morgan Duris in January 2010 rattled Gardner so badly that the father of three and grandfather of four decided to come up with a solution. He had a prototype ready that March.