Just days after a car collided with a school bus in Westchester county, a harrowing accident unfolded near Meadowbrook Elementary School in East Meadow, LI, where a pickup truck crashed into another school bus.
The bus was filled with 41 young students aged 5 to 11.
Thirteen children and the bus driver sustained minor injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment. The pickup truck driver also suffered minor injuries and had to be extricated from his vehicle.
Thankfully, all injuries from the school bus crash were minor, including those of the pickup driver who was rescued from his mangled truck.
Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder reported that the blue pickup struck the bus as it turned left from a school parking lot during dismissal time.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation, with speed and distracted driving being considered as potential factors. Alcohol is not believed to have played any role in the incident.
Do parents driving their children to school actually ensure safety?
Although a concerning 108 people were killed in school bus crashes across the nation in 2021—a 50% increase from the record low of 54 in 2020—school buses remain the safest mode of transportation for children.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that students are 70 times more likely to arrive at school safely on a school bus than if driven by their parents in a car.
There are numerous reasons why school buses are safer than private vehicles.
They are equipped with safety features such as high seat backs, reinforced sides, and bright flashing lights that signal other drivers to stop as children board or disembark.
Moreover, school bus drivers are highly trained professionals who receive specialized training in school bus safety.
On the other hand, parents driving their children to school may be in a rush, distracted by other responsibilities, and less likely to strictly adhere to traffic laws or be attentive to children in their vicinity.
While it’s crucial to acknowledge that school bus accidents can still occur, children on buses are more likely to be injured than those in cars due to the absence of seat belts and other restraints.
Nevertheless, the overall safety of school buses as a mode of transportation remains high.
Oliveri & Schwartz helps injured victims throughout New York who have been involved in bus accidents where the accident was caused by another party.
Call 212-987-1100 for immediate help and answers to your questions.