JCPS Bus Hit By DUI Driver

Parents and guardians need to help educate and remind their children about school bus safety and rules. Students need to learn about how they can help keep the bus ride safe. An example of this is when students get on the bus. They should wait for the school bus to come to a complete stop and use the handrail when they go up the steps. When the student is exiting the bus, they should stand behind the line on the floor and wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before leaving. Once they are out of the bus, they should always make sure the bus driver can see them if they have to cross in front of the bus. It’s important that the student never crosses the street behind the bus. Not only can the bus driver not see them, if there are any approaching cars, they student could get hit.

Related: New Cameras On School Buses Catch Illegal Passers

What are the risks of riding a school bus?
School bus drivers try everything they can to make sure the students onboard are safe. In fact, riding a bus is one of the safest ways to go to and from school, but I am also aware that there are risks associated with riding the bus. Accidents happen and passengers may encounter unfortunate incidents not only while riding the bus, but also while entering or leaving the bus. However, safety on the road does not only depend on school bus drivers. Motorists also need to be aware of school buses and be more careful when driving near them. Motorists should stop when the bus displays red flashing lights. Drivers should always be on the lookout for children crossing the street to get on the bus. If drivers don’t pay attention to the road, then accidents happen.

JCPS bus hit by DUI driver
A Jefferson County Public School bus carrying students from Iroquois High School was involved in an accident in Shively on Tuesday, September 23, 2014. The rear of the school bus was hit by a DUI driver. The accident happened on Dixie Highway and Bachmann Drive in Shively around 3 p.m. There were no reported injuries, but police say that some of the students commented about having back pain. They were examined by EMS.

Related: Driving In School Zones: Safety Tips For Kentucky Drivers

Statistics

• In 2011, a total of 1,414 collisions either directly or indirectly involved a school bus happened in Kentucky. From this figure, 488 were injured and five were killed.
• Nationwide, there were 1,236 fatal school transportation-related crashes from 2001 to 2010.
• An average of 18 school-age children die in school transportation-related crashes each year.

As a Kentucky Accident Attorney, I’d like to ask everyone to not drink and drive. This will help keep the roads safe for other drivers and students. We all need to keep our children safe when riding a school bus. If we properly educate and demonstrate bus safety, our children are more likely to be safe. It’s a team effort.