Just Who Is Driving That School Bus? - You Better Watch Out, You Better Beware
According to a recent article published in The Morning Call, PennDOT sources revealed that between the years 2004 and 2008 a staggering number of people were killed or injured in Pennsylvania school bus crashes:
Bus Drivers 2,171
Passengers 1,132
Pedestrians 759
Drivers and Passengers 22,727
Other 137
Total 322,126 (Source PennDOT)
According to the recently published article, Pennsylvania state mandated background checks for school bus drivers worked as designed but still did not raise any red flags over the tragic wreck involving a Schwenksville, Pennsylvania man who was driving a school bus involved in a fatal accident. The driver, Frederick Poust, III, was involved in a second fatal accident last week when he allegedly turned his school bus into the path of an oncoming car, potentially violating its right of way.
As an experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney who has specialized in school bus accidents in Pennsylvania for the past 30 years, the law is clear that prior to making a left hand turn one must yield the right of way to oncoming traffic. According to PennDOT Community Relations Coordinator, Danielle Klinger, to be a school bus driver in Pennsylvania, applicants must show that their driving privileges are not suspended, revoked, medically recalled or disqualified. They then need to pass three tests covering general commercial driving, driving with passengers, and operating a school bus. They then require an additional six hours of on the job one-on-one driving instruction. Surprisingly, the Department of Education investigation does not cover traffic related offenses according to department spokesperson Michael Race.
While we recognize that this particular school bus accident is a terrible tragedy, school bus accidents have become a major concern over the last number of years due to lax background checks on school bus drivers, as well as school buses just taking to the road in inclement weather conditions when even SUVs cannot travel safely. I have written a number of prior articles expressing my fears and concerns with regard to these issues.
Our hearts and prayers go out to those tragically killed and injured as a result of this accident and in the many other school bus accidents. We urge the Pennsylvania legislature, as well as school district officials, to review all possible ways to protect and enhance the safety of our children including investigating the driving records of those involved in fatalities and serious offenses. Regulations and background checks must be more closely regulated.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident or school bus accident, please feel free to contact one of our experienced car accident or bus accident attorneys at 1-800-421-9595 for a free no obligation consultation.
