As a Car Accident Lawyer in Roanoke, I catch myself over-thinking even the simplest daily activities. When the school year began, I asked my wife, a former school principal, if she planned to drive the children to school herself or have them ride the bus. She replied, “They’re taking the bus, it’s safer.” A car has numerous safety features like anti-lock brakes, back-up cameras, blind spot monitoring, airbags and seatbelts. And buses, well, buses don’t even have seatbelts! Buses are a safer mode of transportation for children to travel to school. In fact, the NHSTA states that “students are 70 times more likely to arrive at school safely than by traveling in a car”
School Buses are Designed with Car Accident Prevention in Mind
After all, no one can get hurt in an accident that never happens. Bright yellow school buses are made to be highly visible in all weather conditions. And the design features intended for safety don’t stop there. School buses have large flashing red lights, extended stop signs and crossbars. They also provide protective seating for occupants.
Cars are No Match for a 15 Ton School Bus
Seeing school buses back on the road after a year-long hiatus, may bring about a sense of relief that things are finally getting back to normal. Those good feelings may end the second you get behind one of those 15 ton behemoths on your way to work. If this happens to you, one of the best things you can do is to remain alert. School buses make frequent stops. The most frequent type of accident involving a school bus and another vehicle is a rear end collision. Most low speed rear end collisions are caused by distracted drivers. Distracted drivers are some of the most deadly drivers on the road and when they hit a school bus, they are more likely to injure themselves or the passengers in their vehicle than anyone on the bus. In fact, occupants inside the passenger car made up 69% of the deaths related to a school bus accidents.
Roanoke Car Accident Lawyer Provides Safe Driving Tips to Prevent School Bus and Car Accidents
Since most people who are injured in school bus accidents are actually on the outside of the bus it is important for drivers and pedestrians to practice safety at all times.
- Reducing the number of cars at the school during drop off and pick up times can decrease the risks for all students. Carpool when possible.
- Never illegally pass a school bus, especially one that is stopped. Children are often hit by passing cars when loading the school bus or after having gotten off the bus.
- Remain aware of crosswalks and follow the directions of the crossing guard.
- Do not speed through school zones.
- Always stop when the school bus is stopped with red flashing lights on.
- Studies show that most children are injured or killed within 10 feet of a school bus. Never get that close!
- Do not tailgate a school bus.
- Driver distraction is the number one cause of school bus accidents. Phone down, Head up! at all times.
Roanoke Car Accident Attorney Available to Help
If you or a loved one is injured in a car accident, call The Thomson Law Firm for a free consultation today. We offer 24/7 assistance to victims of personal injury. Call today for a FREE, no commitment case evaluation. 1-540-777-4900.
