by Mr. Bus Driver on April 24, 2010
With 18,000 children riding school buses to and from school everyday in Montgomery County, safety is a really big deal to Willie James.
James is the shop foreman School Bus Transportation Department.
“If they go across the street, the school bus arm will extend. The kids are to walk the length of the arm and then go around it and get across,” said James.
At this point during the unloading, it is the school bus driver’s responsibility to count the heads and make sure without a doubt that everyone has crossed in front of the bus.
“If they don’t add up, the drivers are instructed to shut the school bus down,” said James.
The Covington County school bus involved in the fatal accident did in fact have the 5 and a half foot safety arm extended.
Even today nearly a week after 8-year old Lexie Worrells died … investigators are still trying to figure out just what happened.
So many unanswered questions …
“As the arm was swinging back towards the school bus, the victim was walking along the arm and went in an area out of the driver’s eyesight,” said Florala Police Chief Sonny Bedsole.
WSFA 12 News has learned Lexie Worrells did have hip and back surgeries and one school of thought is that may have slowed her walk somewhat to get across. Police say they do not anticipate any charges against the school bus driver.
Back at the Montgomery County school bus yard, buses have what you might call panoramic mirrors attached to the front of the bus … just like the bus in Covington County. The newer buses today have a sleek hood with a gentle slope. This provides a much better view for the school bus driver, dramatically reducing the chance of striking the child.
“With these mirrors you can look down directly in front of the bus,” said James.
James says Montgomery County has around 253 school buses and more than 160 drivers.
A big bright yellow school bus … red flashing lights … arms extended and vigilance. Safety is always the lesson of the day considering all the human cargo getting on and stepping off.
School bus drivers in Alabama are required to take a 4-hour training course every year. The driver in Florala did pass his annual test one week before the accident, according to police.
by Mr. Bus Driver on March 21, 2010
School bus safety is priority. BUT … the safety of my school bus kids is just as important.
While driving the school bus I had a young girl ask to speak with me before she got off.
Yes, I am one of many school bus drivers but we are all more than that … or we should be at least. We are school bus safety providers, supporters, another set of ears to talk to, and someone who is trusted. So, when someone wants to talk I want to listen. I have a responsibility to keep their safety at the top of the list.
Everyone got off the school bus except …
This young person is someone who is not afraid to speak her mind. There are many kids on the school bus who, from time to time, speak too freely and the conversations get out of hand. Sound familiar on your school bus … However, this time was different. She had something on her mind and was different that day. She looked scared.
My bus assistant, former school bus driver, is an elder woman who is adored by everyone. In fact, most of them call her “Mom”. I always keep her nearby when talking to my kids. This morning was no different.
She is a short in stature and a red head to boot. Some people say I wear my emotions on my sleeve. But this young girl wears her’s on her head. She can get obnoxious and lippy. Yet, this teenager has emotionally grown so this year. She has begun to learn how to contain herself.
This morning she just wasn’t her same self. “What was it,” I asked myself. “Was her safety at risk? Or, was she just having a bad beginning of the day.”
With everyone off the school bus she began to speak saying, “Do you think it’s abuse when a parent makes someone suck on a jalapeño pepper for a punishment.” WOW, I thought to myself. This one’s a first. I didn’t have any CASA training to know how to respond to this. And not really sure what to say I could only respond with, “That might depend on a lot of things … like how hot was it or for how long.” I said there could be many situations where a person’s safety is at risk.
I asked her if she knew this person.
Her response was, “Me”.
The teenager stuck out her tongue showing us that the entire top of the tongue had a bad blister on it. She continued saying she got a little lippy with her Mom. Liz told us she had to place a very hot jalapeño on her tongue and keep it there for a half hour.
I told her that being disciplined for any reason should not leave any injuries … both emotionally and physically. I continued to say that I would walk her into school to see the principal and school nurse. And as I expected she refuse.
The young girl said she would be punished much worse than this if anyone found out.
After five minutes of “negotiating” I convinced her that we needed to talk to someone about this so this and anything “much worse” wouldn’t happen again. She responded saying, “OK, I’ll go. But, fat chance on something like this not happening again.”
Abuse can occur in many ways. However, this was the strangest I had ever seen.
We’ll blog later about this young girl and her situation.
Who, out there, has another story to share? Send it to me and I’ll post it with no names or locations.
