School Bus Drivers on Cell Phone

[flyingdog]

The driver on Long Lane (that's the road going to Gate 3 of the base) - the driver with the kindergarten children was driving at about 40 mph today. --

First off, I agree, it is Long Ln. I believe there is a street sign and am certain it is called such on maps.

However, the speed limit on said street is 50mph. I know it seems kinda high but 40 is actually 10 under.

Just FYI.

 

[cashncarry]

your assuming they would have seen you if they were not on the phone. People did bonehead things long ago before cell phones.

I have to disagree, the #1 danger your kids face is other rowdy and disobedient kids distracting the driver. According to you “Driving is a 100% attention activity for the eyes as well as the brain.” Then you should be in total support of hiring 156 aides to ride every bus everyday. At about $15000 a year your looking at $2,340,000. It is much easier to just demonizing an object that can’t fight back.

You know what might be a good idea is to install cameras on all buses at the bus owners expense. That way the conduct of the kids can be monitored as well as bus drivers talking on the phone while transporting our precious cargo.

 

[RoseRed]

I wonder what caused todays accident.

 

[poster]

You know what might be a good idea is to install cameras on all buses at the bus owners expense. That way the conduct of the kids can be monitored as well as bus drivers talking on the phone while transporting our precious cargo.

I agree and in some counties there are cameras. But this is an entirely different issue.

The "precious cargo" is the life of another individual.
Look at it like this, how would you feel if you rode a public bus and the driver was on the phone and not giving full attention to their driving? I would have a problem with it. Reguardless if it's good children/bad children or adults the driver should be driving, not talking on a phone.

 

[GWguy]

The use of cell phone while driving in MD is not illegal. Dumb, yes. But not illegal. Unless there are restrictions imposed on bus drivers for the use of cell phones while moving, by the school districts (and I didn't look for that info), there isn't much you can do except petition the schools and MD to make it a moving violation, or continue to biatch about it here.

 

[BS Gal]

I wonder what caused todays accident.

:shrug: My money has it on texting......

 

[cashncarry]

I wonder what caused todays accident.

According to news reports the driver ran off the road, over corrected which caused the bus the to careen across the road over a ditch and a culvert and into the woods. Heck of a ride to school!! Glad no one one was seriously injured.

 

[Jbeckman]

COntact and bus information should be reported to the board of education transportation office and the county transportation office (if for parochial/private schools).

 

[JackMD]

First off, I agree, it is Long Ln. I believe there is a street sign and am certain it is called such on maps.

However, the speed limit on said street is 50mph. I know it seems kinda high but 40 is actually 10 under.

Just FYI.

Not that it matters, but it is Forest Park not Long Ln. I drive into Gate 3 of the base every morning.

 

[JackMD]

You know what might be a good idea is to install cameras on all buses at the bus owners expense. That way the conduct of the kids can be monitored as well as bus drivers talking on the phone while transporting our precious cargo.

Good point! I think some, if not all, of the buses do have cameras. At least here in St. Mary's Co. As someone previously mentioned, misbehaving kids are a big distraction.

 

[JackMD]

And your way of solving the problem is taking your kids off the bus and driving them to school yourself? Or, switching to a different bus route??? Maybe you can get the county to bring a bus to your house especially for you and yours. I notice you have been a member since June 2008. Are you new to the area?

Nope...born and raised. So were my parents. Who cares how long I've been a member on here?! What does that have to do with the issue at hand?

 

[JackMD]

thanks

#1 Bus drivers are prohibited by the county from talking on the cell phone while children are on the bus period. New rule this year.

If they have to talk while empty they are encouraged to pull over. The county has the right to the phone bill as per the contract to verify this. Since the county holds the certification for the bus drivers they have allot of pull despite the drivers being employees of the contractors. The county can and have directly disciplined drivers before.

#2 Only 3 digit bus numbers are public school buses all else are private school buses. 200's are special needs buses, 5-600's are regular route buses, 700's are spare buses, and 800's are county owned buses.

All other buses are parochial (sp?) buses like Ryken, KCA, and Catholic schools. Calls to transportation about these other buses problems are really none of their business

I really don't like the lack of respect for the bus drivers in general on this forum and I want to remind everyone that they transport over 17000 students twice a day for 180 days.

Also, why is talking on the phone and driving considered impossible for a bus driver to perform, but the drivers do not get this much support for discipline problems that really do distract.

Trying to keep students seated and quiet is by far more distracting then a conversation on a phone.

Is that big 10x36 inch mirror above the driver’s head there to help the driver pay attention to the road or is it there for the driver to take their eyes off the road to pay attention to rowdy kids.

According to this forum’s logic you should be lobbying to remove the mirror too.
BTW I am in favor of banning use of the phone while driving but am just fustrated that people do not focus the attention to more important issues.

Thanks for posting that!!! Bus drivers do get little support from the school [and parents] when kids act up on the bus. Unfortunately, I've seen a lot this crap going on in this county in recent years. Maybe it's all those city people moving to the area because of the base. Parents are trying to put the blame for their children's mistakes on teachers, bus drivers, administrators and take all responsibility away from their kids. Geez remember when the parent tried to sue the school last year because her daughter got a C in chemistry class.

 

[Solja_Boy]

#1 Bus drivers are prohibited by the county from talking on the cell phone while children are on the bus period. New rule this year.

I think the county made this rule because most bus drivers are to stupid to multitask like a normal person while driving.

 

[observer]

I think the county made this rule because most bus drivers are to stupid to multitask like a normal person while driving.

I will notify you when the MD state School Bus RODEO is taking place since you are so professional at driving.

Last year three drivers from St Mary County placed in the top 6 out of 26. Year after year Mr. Edwards places in the top 5 Nationally.

The new buses for the past three years are installed with a $3500 system that records 30 days of video and audio and infrared for night vision. The county also got 10 independent systems to retrofit 1 and 2 year old buses so these almost new buses would not have to wait around 10-12 years to have one. Most of these have two cameras that can zoom in closely and practically read lips if they have too. A few buses have a third camera showing the driver and door area to capture irate parents and other disturbances around the door area they are good for about 10-15 ft outside the door. Future cameras could be installed to capture light runners to supply police of tag numbers.

I am opposed to using the phone while driving a bus with students but in reality it is possible to be done responsibly. I guess they are tryingeliminating all distractions for drivers, just can't wait for disobedient students to be atop the priority list

 

[Beth_kennedy]

Ok -- I have no children that ride the St. Mary's county school buses, however, I ride the roads from Ridge to the base every day and for the 4th day in a row at different times I have observed bus drivers on their cell phone while waiting to turn in the Ridge Middle School, while picking up kindergarters and while dropping of high school students. Am I the only person upset that bus drivers are putting your children in harms way by not paying attention to the road and the children on the bus??????

I dunno, I see plenty of parents driving while talking on cell phones, eating, putting on makeup or doing a switch hit to the little bastards in the back....they seem fine.....:shrug:

 

[Beth_kennedy]

God is great, god is good, its not my fault I'm misunderstood :shrug:

Now that was freaking funny

 

[observer]

am just fustrated that people do not focus the attention to more important issues.

To expand on my own thought:

How come people don't follow buses into schools and help the driver identify rowdy kids they see from behind, kids jumping from seat to seat, throwing stuff from the windows.etc... This would encourage the driver and send a message that they are not alone. This would carry alot of weight with the administrators too. But NOOOOOO everyone calls and complains about how bad the driver was driving.

If it was done properly like pulling into the school lot parking and walking up to the administrators and explain what you observed. They may invite you over to the bus and identify the students.

Some of these kids should be ticketed for inappropriate public conduct.
Bus refferals are treated like a joke by some schools.

 

[JustTheFax]

Maybe the School Board thinks,

If the bus driver has a wreck and wipes out 30 or 40 kids in the process that will free up space in the class rooms.



J.K.

 

[Solja_Boy]

I will notify you when the MD state School Bus RODEO is taking place since you are so professional at driving.

Last year three drivers from St Mary County placed in the top 6 out of 26. Year after year Mr. Edwards places in the top 5 Nationally.

I would like to see what they have to do. Is this one of the drivers that placed in the top 6?

NEW UPDATE: School Bus Accident - Driver and Eight Students Suffer Minor Injuries - Southern Maryland News, Charles County, Calvert County and St. Mary's County News

 

[Beth_kennedy]

I think the county made this rule because most bus drivers are to stupid to multitask like a normal person while driving.