Jan
4
2012
Why Must We Have To Choose Between Children And School Bus Drivers
Author: Martin ClamsonThe time has come for school bus drivers to let go of their personal privacy. This is so the safety of their passengers will be certain. They need to disclose mental and physical health concerns to their company. They also have to agree to undergo random drug testing and register the drugs they are on. These recommendations were written by Judge Bruce Fraser in the fatality inquiry report on the death a child in 2007.
The nine-year-old child was killed and 3 others had been hurt including her sister, in a school bus accident 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 problems. She was taking sleeping supplements 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 outside the cab or engine section. This adds to the danger of the passengers because their bodies are exposed outside the “safe” area of the bus. This is a design fault 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 mentioned, he added an additional recommendation. Bus drivers who went on leave due to mental or physical problems ought to be required to present a report. This has to be issued by a health professional, stating therein whether or not the person is fit to resume work.
There are proposals that urge bus drivers not to make use of hand-held devices. This includes, but not limited to, cellphones and musical devices while on duty, especially while driving. News has spread that there is already a draft of a new legislation banning all hand-held devices behind the wheel.
The lesson from this incident tells that all schools should set stricter standards in the hiring of school bus drivers. There must be a process in place to assess the mental health of would-be drivers. It is exceptionally vital to determine whether these problems will affect their driving. A little less of privacy for bus drivers would ensure the security of children under their charge while on the bus.
We try to shield our children. We let them out of our sight at school. But we must not let them out of our sight on the Internet. Keep them safe by installing an Anonymous Proxy to hide where they live.