Bus drivers would have to give up their individual privacy in order to guarantee security of their passengers. They should reveal mental and physical health issues to their employer. In addition, they also have to consent to random drug testing as well as list the medicinal drugs they are on. These are the recommendations written by Judge Bruce Fraser in the fatality inquiry report on the fatality of a small child in 2007.
The nine-year-old child was killed and three others were hurt including her sister, in a school bus collision 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 but they rode inside the bus of the Third Academy at the time.
In his report, John Fraser also wrote that there was no hint that the driver did it on purpose. It can’t be explained why the bus driver drifted onto the shoulder where the truck was broken down. Later it was known that Ms. Rogers had lately been hospitalized for mental health problems. To aid with her situation she was prescribed sleeping pills and antidepressants. However, tests revealed that the level of these drug treatments were low in her system on that day.
Another piece of Fraser’s report was regarding the design of the school bus concerned. He wrote that the bus was designed so that the passenger compartment extends past the cab or motor section. This adds to the danger of passengers because their bodies are exposed outside the more protected part of the vehicle. This is a design flaw that is often found in smaller buses that has to be given attention.
The recommendations presented by the judge received positive responses. Aside from those that were formerly described, he included another suggestion. Bus drivers who went on leave due to psychological or physical issues should be required to submit a report. This has to be issued by a health professional, stating therein whether or not the person is fit to resume work.
Moreover, bus drivers ought to be banned from using hand-held devices such as phones and musical devices while on duty, especially while driving. According to sources, there is a draft of a new legislation prohibiting all hand-held devices behind the wheel.
Because of what occurred, all schools ought to establish stricter standards when hiring school bus drivers. There must be a method to determine the mental health of possible drivers. It is incredibly important to ascertain whether or not these problems will affect their driving. More importantly, there must be assurance of the safety of kids under their charge while on the bus.
We strive to protect our kids. We let them out of our view at school. But we should not let them out of our view on the Internet. Keep them safe by using an to mask where they live.