Holding School Bus Companies Responsible Helps Keep Students Safe
Our Law Firm Advocates For Students Injured By Negligent Bus Drivers and Bus Companies
In the Valdosta, GA area, a 41-year-old school bus driver was arrested last week for driving her school bus drunk while it was loaded with 44 children. Meanwhile, a Chelmsford, MA bus driver was caught smoking marijuana as he was about to drive kids on a field trip while high. Fortunately, students played a role in stopping both drivers from injuring or killing the children while driving a school bus intoxicated. School departments and the bus companies they hire to drive children to school should be held responsible for failing to hire competent and sober school bus drivers when those drivers needlessly expose students to danger.
The Valdosta bus driver might face 44 counts of child endangerment for driving her school bus while under the influence of alcohol. The Lowndes Sheriff's Department told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the bus driver's blood alcohol content was twice the legal limit of .08%. Police apprehended the driver when a school resource officer smelled alcohol on her breath. Additionally, a student told investigators that she saw the bus driver drinking alcohol.
This was the second encounter with police in a short time span for the bus driver. The evening before she was arrested, sheriff's officers went to her home for a reported domestic dispute. The driver was found to be drinking heavily at the time.
Students are not safe on school buses in other parts of the country. A Chelmsford, MA man made headlines this week when he was caught smoking marijuana during his shift. Fox News in Boston reported that the bus driver delivered a group of children to school and took a break before heading to a high school to pick up students headed for a field trip. When he arrived at the second school, students noticed the smell of marijuana on the bus. In turn, they notified a teacher about the situation who called law enforcement, which led to an investigation. The preliminary findings revealed that the bus driver pulled over between stops and smoked marijuana.
After the initial investigation, police arrested the driver for operating under the influence of narcotics. Police observed the driver to be slow and lethargic, unsteady on his feet, and having bloodshot eyes, all of which are signs of intoxication. Additionally, the police say he failed field roadside sobriety tests. The Chief of Police praised the students for speaking up to protect themselves. The authorities say that the bus company is cooperating with the inquiry.
Children Should Take An Active Role In Protecting Themselves
These two incidents are equally about selfish, unprofessional school bus drivers as well as students who spoke up to protect themselves and each other. Parents can encourage their children to speak up about things they see or hear on a bus that makes them uncomfortable or places them in danger. Parents should inform children to tell a teacher or administrator as well as a parent about any dangerous situation that occurs during a bus ride. Informing those in charge about a problem should stop the incident from becoming worse.
Put Our Law Firm's Over 39 Years Of Legal Experience To Work For Your Case!
If you have been injured in any accident caused by negligence, call Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law for your free consultation today. Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law has been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and in the Southeast for over 39 years, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state.
No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour live chat.
Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law
17 Executive Park Dr NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
Telephone: 1 (404) 529-6333
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Sources:
http://www.ajc.com/news/crime--law/georgia-school-bus-driver-charged-with-dui/arx9VcdDbATSxXgygzDnvI/
http://www.fox25boston.com/news/students-report-strange-odor-on-bus-driver-arrested-for-smoking-marijuana/506766603