To enhance the protection of passengers, bus drivers would have to give up their personal privacy. They ought to reveal any psychological and physical health concerns to their company. They also have to consent to random drug testing and register the medications they are on before being employed. Judge Bruce Fraser suggested the foregoing in the fatal accident inquiry report on the death of a young girl in 2007.
The nine-year-old girl was killed and three other people had been hurt including her sister, in a school bus crash on October 18, 2007. The vehicle driven by Louise Rogers swung over into a parked gravel truck then crashed into a power pole. All four are studying at the Mountain View Academy however they rode in the bus of the Third Academy at the time.
There was no sign that Ms. Rogers did it on purpose, as Judge Fraser wrote in his report. Authorities found no explanation 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 issues. She was taking sleeping pills and antidepressants. Tests revealed that the level of these medicines were low in her system.
Fraser's report also incorporated the assessment of the design of the school bus involved. He wrote that it was designed so that the passenger section extends beyond the cab or engine section. This adds to the danger of the people since their bodies are exposed outside the "safe" area of the bus. This is a design error that is often found in smaller buses that has to be given consideration.
Bus organizations have expressed positive response to the recommendations presented by Judge Fraser. In addition to those that were previously pointed out, he added more. Bus drivers who went on leave due to psychological or physical concerns must be required to submit a report. This has to be issued by a medical professional, stating therein whether the person is fit to resume work.
Furthermore, bus drivers must not be permitted to use hand-held devices such as cellphones and musical devices while on duty, particularly while driving. There is information that there is already a draft of a new legislation banning all hand-held devices behind the wheel.
The event taught a lesson that all schools ought to establish stricter standards in the employing of school bus drivers. There must be a process for assessing the psychological health of would-be drivers. It is very vital to determine whether these problems will affect their driving. The protection of kids under their charge while on the bus must be protected.
The nine-year-old girl was killed and three other people had been hurt including her sister, in a school bus crash on October 18, 2007. The vehicle driven by Louise Rogers swung over into a parked gravel truck then crashed into a power pole. All four are studying at the Mountain View Academy however they rode in the bus of the Third Academy at the time.
There was no sign that Ms. Rogers did it on purpose, as Judge Fraser wrote in his report. Authorities found no explanation 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 issues. She was taking sleeping pills and antidepressants. Tests revealed that the level of these medicines were low in her system.
Fraser's report also incorporated the assessment of the design of the school bus involved. He wrote that it was designed so that the passenger section extends beyond the cab or engine section. This adds to the danger of the people since their bodies are exposed outside the "safe" area of the bus. This is a design error that is often found in smaller buses that has to be given consideration.
Bus organizations have expressed positive response to the recommendations presented by Judge Fraser. In addition to those that were previously pointed out, he added more. Bus drivers who went on leave due to psychological or physical concerns must be required to submit a report. This has to be issued by a medical professional, stating therein whether the person is fit to resume work.
Furthermore, bus drivers must not be permitted to use hand-held devices such as cellphones and musical devices while on duty, particularly while driving. There is information that there is already a draft of a new legislation banning all hand-held devices behind the wheel.
The event taught a lesson that all schools ought to establish stricter standards in the employing of school bus drivers. There must be a process for assessing the psychological health of would-be drivers. It is very vital to determine whether these problems will affect their driving. The protection of kids under their charge while on the bus must be protected.
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