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Sandra (Ennis) Nunn
Top Member
Canada
1180 Posts |
 Posted - 06/05/2005 : 11:23:35 AM
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Dear friends,
I wonder if you would give me your professional opinions on a thought that has caused me a growing sense of unease . . .
In Ontario a driver can be charged with careless driving if they have an accident caused by failure to drive with "due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the highway and on conviction is liable to a fine of not less than $200 and not more than $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both, and in addition his or her licence or permit may be suspended for a period of not more than two years." This conviction would almost certainly end a school bus driver's career to say nothing of possible prison, fines, and legal fees - and they could not expect support from their employers in fighting such a charge.
In Ontario a school bus is considered an extension of the classroom and students are responsible to the principal of their school for their behaviour - but school principals delegate their supervisory authority to school bus drivers while the children are on the bus. (Principals retain sole responsibility for issuing punishment for misbehaviour, though.)
I am aware of Ontario school bus drivers being charged with careless driving following school bus crashes. I am not aware of any Ontario school bus driver (or principal for that matter) being held legally responsible for the injury or death of a child while on a school bus as a result of neglect - i.e. inadequate supervision, care or monitoring of their health, safety and behaviour.
You will by now be familiar with the case of my four-year-old great-niece who died of strangulation - according to the Coroner's report, from one of two causes - either her clothing caught on something causing "suspension" (although investigators were not able to catch her clothing on any mechanism on the bus) or she was strangled by one of the 34 other young children on the bus. Her school bus driver heard and saw nothing, although Allyceea was seated in the third seat behind the driver.
My concern is this. Is there not a subtle legal imperative to ignore children's behaviour on the bus, as much as possible, in order to concentrate on safe driving? (to say nothing of pressures to maintain a very tight schedule) I know that school bus drivers care very deeply for the well-being of the children on their bus. I am not saying that anyone would consciously make this choice - but is this so black and white a conscious decision? or more an unawareness of dangerous possibilities?
The legal requirement is there to drive safely. Is there a legal "duty" to supervise the children???
Please reassure me that my sense of unease is unfounded.
sn.
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Edited by - Sandra (Ennis) Nunn on 06/11/2005 2:37:04 PM
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JK
Top Member
USA
7307 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2005 : 12:25:26 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Sandra (Ennis) Nunn
Please reassure me that my sense of unease is unfounded.
sn.
Myself, I can not assure you, or even comfort your concerns. The logic presented in your post seem adequate to support your concerns and does affect too many bus drivers with mixed demands thrown at them day-in-and-day out. An employer can often rid themselves of an unwanted driver by simply doing nothing when the driver falls under attack from a disgruntle parent. For a driver to confront the issues alone can be virtually occupational suicide, not likely someone to go far within an unreasonable employer's opportunities for advancement.
Regardless, you can rest assured that some school bus drivers at virtually every facility do not allow mixed demands or convenience priorities to distract them from maintaining a safe school bus. They will fight for their kids safety, where necessary, to protect the kids, to maintain rational or informed parents interests, and will help accommodate traffic interests as well.
These must have the often public support of parents. Make it known throughout the community and often that "so&so" bus drivers are well appreciated by the parents in your community.
It is true that the disingenuous can be attacked, but far greater is it to lift-up and promote the genuine to the point the disingenuous can be recognized and dealt with through the public process.
There are, I believe, a great many previous great and noble school bus drivers that would still be driving school bus had informed parents on their routes and in their community made it known they will not abandon a great bus driver, one that places the safety of children their daily demonstrated first and foremost concern. (jk)
The School Bus Driver's Declaration of Independence (PDF File)
Clip - Why a video camera on every school bus. (3.5 mb mpg File - Right click, Save Target As to file, play in Windows Media Player after downloaded.)
Quit Pie
FREE School Bus Safety Ads
Free to use at websites, in newsletters, memos, the local press, letters to parents and more. Note that the photos area is under revision - The school bus safety ads area is now available. This is a very popular Website. If you can't get in bookmark the page and try again later.
There is no school bus driver shortage!
Properly train, effective support and pay that retains.
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Edited by - JK on 06/05/2005 12:33:43 PM |
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coolbusdriver
Top Member
Canada
1509 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2005 : 1:05:57 PM
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quote:
Is there a subtle sense that it would be in a school bus driver's best interests to ignore childrens' misbehaviour on the bus as much as possible so as not to be distracted and crash the bus?(or even so as not to disrupt a very tight schedule)
I drive in Ontario.
I have never considered it "in my best interest" to ignore the behaviour of the children on my bus.
As for the schedule end of driving...around here, school does not start untill the bus gets there. In other words, we don't worry about being late, being safe is what is important.
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mr.dave
Advanced Member
USA
414 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2005 : 1:44:37 PM
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I have only 100 percent attention. How should I split it between driving and childcare. Everyone who drives children, on a schoolbus or family minivan, has to make this decision, or let the decision make them. The tragedy which took your grand-niece's life is sad, but there is probably very little the bus driver could have seen over the high seatbacks, or heard over the engine noise. I hate transporting four year olds on regular routes as they are not mature enouph to take care of themselves. Kindergarden, and especialy pre-kindergarden children should always have a bus monitor to care for them.
I'm sad for the reason you have joined our small number, but wish to belatedly welcome you aboard.
salom dave |
Shiny side up, greasy side down |
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CountGirl
Top Member
USA
823 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2005 : 9:52:54 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Sandra (Ennis) Nunn
My concern is this. Is there a subtle sense that it would be in a school bus driver's best interests to ignore childrens' misbehaviour on the bus as much as possible so as not to be distracted and crash the bus? (or even so as not to disrupt a very tight schedule) I know that school bus drivers care very deeply for the well-being of the children on their bus. I am not saying that anyone would consciously make this choice - but is this so black and white a conscious decision? or more an unawareness of possibilities?
Please reassure me that my sense of unease is unfounded.
sn.
I am not quite sure I understand but the gist of the post until we get to this point (I am 16 and struggle with "legalities") - anyway, my point of view is the fact that there is no reason to ever have to choose between "crashing a bus" and dealing with children - if things get so out of hand that the choice comes to that, or rather nears that, a driver should pull the bus over and take care of the problem, or obtain appropiate assistance to take care of the problem. I, personally, as a student, have seen the police threatened to be called three times (but it has not gone past a threat) and I have known of trainers coming onto buses to contain a situation while sitting at a school. [Mostly along the lines of giving students a lecture etc.] I believe I have also known about (or had when I was smaller) the boss come onto our bus to take care of a situation.
As far as the Canadian(sp) law goes, I would suggest that if there is a law out there that demands the bus driver to just pay attention to the road and allow for children's misbehavior on the bus (whether this law be threatening loss of job for taking care of misbehaving children or not), then Ontario should look over their laws, and really think about what it is doing to their children. They already lost one - they do not need to lose another.
And in my opinion, if you do find a law that promotes letting children misbehave by jepordizing the driver's job, YOU are the one strong enough to change it. YOU can change Ontario's mind - the quest and your abilities have already been demonstrated. Oh, and if you need any help, you know where to find me.
Love,
Count |
Give me a yellow object. Yes. Right now. I need my yellow chocolate, for goodness sake! |
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a gowing sense of unease
