Why Must We Have To Choose Between Children And School Bus Drivers
Bus drivers would have to give up their personal privacy in order to guarantee protection of their passengers. They must disclose psychological and physical health problems to their employer. In addition, they also have to consent to random drug testing and list the drugs they are on. These were the recommendations written by Judge Bruce Fraser in the fatal accident inquiry report on the fatality of a small child in 2007.
The nine-year-old girl was killed in a school bus crash on October 18, 2007. The school bus driven by Louise Rogers swerved into a parked gravel truck then slammed into a power pole. This incident killed the girl and seriously injured 3 other children including her sister. All four are studying at Mountain View Academy but shared a bus with Third Academy at the time.
There was no suggestion that Ms. Rogers did it on purpose, as Judge Fraser wrote in his report. Authorities found no rationale why the bus driver drifted onto the shoulder where the truck was broken down. Investigations revealed that the driver had recently been hospitalized for mental health problems. She was taking sleeping pills and antidepressants. Tests revealed that the level of these drugs were low in her system.
The design of the school bus concerned might have also aggravated the accident. Judge Fraser wrote that the bus was designed so that the passenger section extends beyond the cab or engine section. This adds to the danger of the passengers since their bodies are exposed outside the engine of the vehicle, consequently increasing the danger. This is a design error that is often found in smaller buses which has to be given consideration.
The suggestions presented by the judge received constructive responses. Aside from those that were formerly described, he added one more recommendation. Bus drivers who went on leave due to psychological or physical problems must be required to present a report. This has to be issued by a health professional, stating therein whether the person is in shape to resume work.
Moreover, bus drivers should be banned from using hand-held devices such as phones and musical devices while on duty, especially while driving. According to sources, there is a draft of a new legislation prohibiting all hand-held devices behind the wheel.
The lesson from this unpleasant incident tells that all schools should set stricter standards in the hiring of school bus drivers. There should be a process in place to evaluate the mental health of would-be drivers. It is exceptionally vital to determine whether these issues will influence their driving. A little less of privacy for bus drivers would ensure the security of children under their charge while on the bus.
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