Even if you haven't been on a bus lately, you can safely make this observation: Few to none have passenger seat belts. You might assume that the absence of this safety feature means that bus accidents are either so rare or so harmless to passengers that they simply aren't necessary. But bus accidents can and do happen, and unfortunately, they are quite capable of injuring people.
Maryland authorities believe that a recent school bus accident that sent more than a dozen students to the hospital was caused by a drunk driver. Students from the Great Mills High School girls basketball team were returning home from a game when a chain of events caused the bus to careen off the highway, hitting trees before coming to a stop in the woods.
Anytime a motor vehicle crash occurs, the potential for serious injuries is high. When one of the motor vehicles involved in an accident is a bus, the potential for injuries is greatly magnified because of the size of the vehicle and the amount of passengers involved.
Crossing guards play an important role in protecting schoolchildren from automobile accidents. Similarly, bus drivers play a vital role in providing a safe environment for children by operating their buses in a safe manner.
In an October 11 blog post, we wrote about several serious truck and bus accidents that have occurred in years past on Maryland highways and bridges when those vehicles hit traffic barriers that were not strong enough to withstand impact. Many safety groups and experts suggested that taller and stronger concrete barriers be constructed at strategic locations.