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Fortunately no children were hurt in these crashes.
Chatham Central School Transportation Director Larry Dreher said school buses are the safest vehicles. "The safest there is on the highway," he said in a recent phone interview.
Mr. Dreher added that the state Department of Transportation inspects every bus annually. The buses have improved over the years, with high-back seats and mandatory seatbelts for protection.
"They have ABS brakes, all types of technical whistles and bells to make them a safer vehicle," he said. "The number of injuries and deaths that occur on school buses are extremely small. I can't think of any other things that could improve the safety of them."
Mr. Dreher said his drivers must endure a rigorous screening process. "It is not like you can go out there and get any driver," he said.
Rensselaer County Department of Motor Vehicle Deputy Clerk Bill Film said in order to obtain a school bus license you have to get a commercial driver license with school bus passenger endorsement and you also must pass a written test and a 45-minute road test.
Applicants are scrutinized on safe driving techniques because the vehicle has the potential of being "a huge weapon."
"They stress more child safety on this test," Mr. Film said.
Brad Gloverman, senior motor vehicle license examiner, said drivers often prepare for the road test by reading the DMV's CDL manual. But he could not say how many applicants fail the certification test. But he says the test is straightforward. "There's no tricks, but you have to be prepared," he said.
Ken Brown of the state DMV office in Albany, said all applicants must pass a annual physical and that part of the road test is a pre-drive check to insure the bus has no mechanical flaws.
A background check also ensures the drivers are not criminals, but a felony conviction alone does not necessary bar someone from becoming a bus driver, he said.
According to Mr. Brown, the highest danger for children comes from other drivers who pass a parked school bus.
"Up to 50,000 times a day in New York a school bus is passed," he said. "Unfortunately we have heard of individuals pass the bus on the right hand side."
Buses unload on the right. And all bus drivers have forms to write down the plate number and vehicle of anyone who commits this crime. Violators get five points on their license and must pay a fine,
In addition, all new school buses have been required to have seatbelts, while some have video cameras inside. The DMV also eviews every bus accident
At Chatham Central School, Mr. Dreher, transportation director for 12 years, said that every bus driver must take a refresher-training course two times during their first year after being certified. He said the course includes drills, road and written tests.
Mr. Dreher said drivers must proceed with caution during snowstorms. He said he tells them to leave more space between vehicles. Children could arrive up to 15 minutes late to their destination, but at least they arrive safely, he said.
"The drivers have a great deal of responsibility, you figure you have a whole group of kids," he said.
On the road the drivers must drive defensively. But parents may not know that there is an element of danger at the bus stop.
If a child misses the bus, Mr. Dreher said he advises against the child or parent running behind the bus.
"We don't want parents trying to chase down a bus, and make us stop in an unauthorized stop," he said. "A lot of people think the bus driver is being mean. But usually it's just a matter of not seeing them in the blind spot through the mirrors."
To contact Rensselaer Editor Joe Minissale email: jminissale@IndeNews.com.
