On average, 318 buses were involved in fatal traffic accidents each year from 2003 to 2007, according to the data compiled by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (in conjunction with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). California led the nation in bus accident-related fatalities — with 192 total fatal bus accidents over the four-year span. New York and Florida trailed with 146 and 140 fatal bus involvements, respectively.
Perhaps surprisingly, over 87 percent of fatal involvements occurred under "normal" weather conditions, with no rain, snow, fog or other adverse environmental condition. Over 63 percent of fatal involvements occurred in daylight.
Safety on Public Buses
A bus driver is considered a common carrier, and is required to use the utmost care and diligence in the safe transport of passengers. Nevertheless, bus crashes resulted in the deaths of 219 bus passengers from 2003 to 2007.
There are several steps that those riding the bus can take to insure their safety:
- While waiting for the bus, riders should stay away from the bus until it comes to a complete stop and the driver motions them to enter. They should also make sure they wait for the bus a safe distance from traffic and the street.
- When exiting, passengers should promptly place a safe distance between themselves and the bus, keeping in mind that the driver has better visibility of people and things that are away from the sides or rear of the bus.
- Use the handrail when entering and exiting the bus. When standing on a crowded bus, use the overhead bars.
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Be aware of the street traffic.
Accident Victims
A bus driver's duties to a passenger begin as soon as the driver accepts the person as a passenger and the passenger places himself or herself in the care of the driver or bus company. In fact, a passenger may not even have to board the bus before he or she is technically in the care of the carrier or bus company. Once in the care of the carrier, the carrier is then required to take every reasonable step to ensure the safety of the passenger, take the passenger to the intended destination and leave the passenger in a safe place. Again, this may require more of the carrier than simply making a stop to let a passenger off the bus.
Bus-related accidents are not limited to people who are aboard the bus: from 2003 to 2007, there were 1,079 fatalities in bus involvements involving another vehicle and 85 involving non-motorists such as pedestrians or bicyclists.
There are a number of reasons for bus accidents, including poor driver training, driver fatigue, improperly maintained equipment or an improperly maintained infrastructure. Carriers are responsible for the actions of their employees and have an obligation to train them properly and supervise their work; discipline or termination is appropriate for operators who do not perform safely.
Department of Transportation Safety Proposals
In response to and as a consequence of U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood's directive to the Department of Transportation (DOT) last year to identify the major sources of motorcoach accidents, the DOT recently released a new proposal to improve bus and road-based transportation safety. In order to reduce driver distraction, the proposal seeks to ban texting while driving for bus drivers and also limit their ability to use cellular phones and other electronic devices while driving. The proposal calls for structural improvements as well, including increased bus roof and side strength requirements to protect passengers in a rollover or other serious accident, and electronic sensors for stability.
In the meantime, if a passenger or pedestrian is injured in a bus accident, he or she should contact a knowledgeable personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Contacting potential witnesses, setting up a doctor examination, and examining the bus and equipment are all time-sensitive matters. In addition, a skilled lawyer can advise injured parties whether they have a claim and, if so, demand compensation for medical bills and expenses related to the injuries.
