School Bus Safety!?

[msslave]

They're big, bright yellow, have multiple red and amber flashing lights and an arm that extends from the side with a large red stop sign.  Sounds like everything possible is being done to protect school kids as they get on the bus, right.  WRONG!

In just one day last spring, 625 drivers were reported failing to yield and sped past stopped buses, lights flashing and stop arm extended. Just this morning a seven year old was struck as he tried to cross the street to his bus by a pick up driver who felt he was just too important to have to stop.  A few weeks ago a young girl was hit when a driver went on the shoulder to get around a stopped bus, passing on the right side of the bus.

What are these people thinking...are they thinking...busy on cellphones? I've been driving for nearly 50 years and would never dream to doing this. The problem is coming to the attention of our state legislature. Big help...hey how about $50 thousand for education. Education?!!?  Who doesn't know about stopping for school buses.

Yes, angry old man here. Thanks for letting me vent.

http://www.startribune.com/legislators-want-to-improve-school-bus-safety/568182332/

[MintJulie]

In the city where I worked, people would just drive right thru the flashing lights.   

About a year ago, I left work early one day and encountered a bus coasting to a stop with flashing yellow lights, at the complete stop, the lights flashed red.  Two cars drove through the stopped bus.

What happened next surprised me.  The bus driver got off the bus with the kids and walked them across the street.  Then back to the bus where she got back behind the wheel.   She was my hero of the month.

[msslave]

Someone going that extra mile. But, why should she have to. I mean, will tougher enforcement and bigger fines, maybe jail time if a child is hurt.

Me, there's times when I hear of this I wish I was on the scene with a gun. A bullet in the kneecap would be a good reminder.

[Shiela_M]

https://www.schoolbusfleet.com/news/732142/school-bus-driver-told-by-police-to-stop-blocking-road-with-bus

[joan1984]

$150.00 fine is now issued, via a camera on every bus. First Offense, then increases for multiple offenses.  Private company manages the cameras, installs and services, and after review by a Police Officer, the ticket is issued to the owner of the vehicle, identified by TAG number.

[purpleshoes]

You may as well ask why perfectly healthy people park in handicapped spots. Or park in the middle of two spots. Or a few dozen other questions that only have one answer. Some people care about nothing except themselves.

A related question about the safety of our children. Why are school buses exempt from mandatory seat belt laws (except for the driver)? This infuriates me because the only reason they aren't required on school buses is money.

When my kids were in school, I refused to wear a seat belt because kids on school buses don't have seat belts. Over a 3-year period, I was pulled over twice for violating the state's mandatory seat belt law.

The first time, when I told the officer that I would start wearing my belt when kids on school buses could do the same, he looked at me for a very long time, then handed me my license, tipped his hat and said, "Drive safely, sir."

The second time I was given a citation for which I appeared in court, again explaining the reason. The judge nodded his head, found me guilty and fined me $1. Last I heard, the normal fine is $325.

My wife finally convinced me to stop tilting at windmills, but I still believe it's criminal that untold thousands of children are put at risk every day because it would cost too much money to put seat belts on all the buses. Some things are more important than saving money.

[_priapism]

You may as well ask why perfectly healthy people park in handicapped spots.

As a person who looks healthy, but suffers a disability, I would caution about making judgments.  I have been accosted in the parking lot before and yelled at.  Everyone has a story, and you know nothing about mine.  Kind of like that time a bitch called the police on MJ, because she thought her speech impairment was intoxication.  Get a life people.

[Jed_]

I happened to notice a motorcycle parked in a handicapped zone once and took a second look.  It did indeed have a handicapped plate.  Once inside the Walmart, a woman was ranting at a manager about the motorcycle in the handicapped space.  I interjected informing them it had a handicapped plate.  The woman gave me a dirty look.  I think she thought it was my motorcycle, and was looking me over for a handicap.

Point is, she didn’t consider a person riding a motorcycle could also be handicapped.

[MintJulie]

  Kind of like that time a bitch called the police on MJ, because she thought her speech impairment was intoxication. 

Off subject, but I completely forgot to tell you.   Dan and I were at the grocery store.  I'm picking out fruit and he is waiting in line to get some shrimp by the deli.  He calls me over to introduce me to a friend.  It was his old neighbor before the divorce.

I reached out and shook hands with her and then it hit me.  I said to Dan, "This is the bitch that called the police on me at the gas station."
Then she realized who I was by hearing my speech, well that and the flash of anger when I looked back at her.
Dan looked like a deer in the headlights.
I looked at her with a little squint in my eyes like I was contemplating strangling her.   Her face got really red.  Then she smiled and said, "Well, it was so nice to meet you."   
I pursed my lips and nodded then walked back over to the fruits and veggies. 

[_priapism]

  Kind of like that time a bitch called the police on MJ, because she thought her speech impairment was intoxication. 

Off subject, but I completely forgot to tell you.   Dan and I were at the grocery store.  I'm picking out fruit and he is waiting in line to get some shrimp by the deli.  He calls me over to introduce me to a friend.  It was his old neighbor before the divorce.

I reached out and shook hands with her and then it hit me.  I said to Dan, "This is the bitch that called the police on me at the gas station."
Then she realized who I was by hearing my speech, well that and the flash of anger when I looked back at her.
Dan looked like a deer in the headlights.
I looked at her with a little squint in my eyes like I was contemplating strangling her.   Her face got really red.  Then she smiled and said, "Well, it was so nice to meet you."   
I pursed my lips and nodded then walked back over to the fruits and veggies. 

Epic.  What a bitch.  Should have given her the card you gave the policeman.

[msslave]

OMG! Small world. And...Poor Dan. Rock...Hard Place, Dan in the middle.

[Jed_]

Is the the tape from that gas station?

[MintJulie]

Is the the tape from that gas station?

Haha.  Nope, not quite.  Eeek, that girl is a mess.


More like this.....imagine the teacher from the Charlie Brown pumping gas while talking on the phone.

[purpleshoes]

You may as well ask why perfectly healthy people park in handicapped spots.

As a person who looks healthy, but suffers a disability, I would caution about making judgments.  I have been accosted in the parking lot before and yelled at.  Everyone has a story, and you know nothing about mine.  Kind of like that time a bitch called the police on MJ, because she thought her speech impairment was intoxication.  Get a life people.

All I need to I know about you (or anyone else) is whether or not you have a proper handicapped permit/license plate. You got the permit, I've got no problem. No permit, I'll slap a sign on your windshield that says: These spots are for the PHYSICALLY handicapped.

And no, that statement is not in any way meant to denigrate people who suffer from mental illness.