Posted in Negligence,Tennessee Accident Law on October 2, 2015
Video Shows School Bus Traveling at High Speeds on Interstate 24
A video shot by a Clarksville man shows a Houston County school bus traveling around 80 miles per hour on Interstate 24 while carrying a full load of students.
According to a report by wkrn.com, the incident occurred last Friday evening when the man and his wife were traveling on a stretch of I-24 with a posted speed limit of 70 miles per hour. The man told reporters that the bus was passing cars and accelerating to high speeds as it traveled down the interstate while carrying students.
The man who shot the video sent it to the director of Houston County Schools, who said the school board is investigating the incident.
A spokesperson with the Tennessee Highway Patrol says that most school buses are equipped with governors that limit the maximum speed limit, but some buses don’t have them and it’s up to individual school districts to install those devices.
A Nashville Metro Schools spokesman told wkrn that Nashville school buses are equipped with governors that limit their top speed to between 60 and 65 miles per hour.
How Can You Help Your Child Stay Safe while Riding the School Bus?
As a parent, your top priority is making sure your children are safe at all times. Riding a school bus is generally a safe way for kids to get to school in Middle Tennessee, but stories like the one above can make some parents wary of just how safe their children actually are during their rides to and from school in the morning and afternoon.
If you’re worried about your children’s safety on the school bus, check out some of the safety tips below to help reduce their risks during their daily commute:
The safest place to be on a school bus that’s in motion is a seat. Children who stand and walk or move into the aisles are not only at a much higher risk of suffering injuries during an accident, they’re also more likely to distract the bus driver—and that can have severe consequences.
Placing items in the school bus aisle is dangerous, as the items are not only capable of striking other riders in the event of an accident, but they can also block the aisle and prevent students from getting off the bus after a collision. Make sure your children know to keep their belongings, including their backpacks, gym bags, and other items in the seat or in the floor away from the aisle.
School buses are equipped with multiple emergency exits that can be used to exit the bus after an accident. These exits are located at the front, rear, top, and middle of the vehicle. Make sure your children understand how these exits work, as being able to open them after an accident can help them and their classmates exit the bus safely. In addition, teach your children to be good listeners and follow their bus driver’s instructions in the event of an emergency.
As a parent, you place your trust in the bus drivers that are tasked with safely taking your children to and from school every day. Thankfully, accidents involving school buses are rare, and by teaching your children how to safely ride the bus and respond in the event of an emergency, you can further reduce their risks during their daily commute to and from school.
If your children were injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver, you shouldn’t have to pay for their accident-related expenses out of your own pocket. The Clarksville bus accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law want to help you get full compensation for the accident and the injuries that your children suffered. Get in touch with our legal team today by dialing (931) 274-7788 or filling out a free online consultation form.
