What is your main mode of transportation every day? I am almost certain that most of you use a bus as a mode of transport. No one is ever prepared for an accident because many of them occur suddenly. Compared to other vehicles, buses do not often get into accidents. Buses are therefore one of the safest modes of transport; however, sometimes, the bus drivers find themselves in circumstances that lead to injury and loss.
The most common causes of bus accidents include;
Driver Error
Driving under the influence: Most drivers use drugs or alcohol to lessen the stress brought by their job places, to keep them alert through the heavy traffic and even long shifts. It is against the law to drink and drive or even drive under the influence of drugs because such drivers may not be able to see a clear view of the road and end up causing fatal accidents.
Driver distraction: Focusing on the road while driving is important because lack of attention on the roads may lead to bus accidents. The most common cause of distracted driving is texting while driving. Other causes of distracted driving include wearing headphones, reaching for objects, and being distracted by unruly passengers can all contribute to accidents.
Over Speeding: When a bus driver drives too fast and ends up driving beyond the recommended speed or fails to obey other traffic rules, he may end up causing an accident.
Driver fatigue: Most drivers overwork themselves by being always on the road for long hours, thus lacking time to sleep and rest. When drivers are tired, they are more likely to make careless mistakes and errors of judgment. Bus drivers may be subject to special rules regulating how many hours they can drive.
Not adapting to changing weather conditions: As the saying goes, change is inevitable. The weather too can change, and good drivers should be able to adjust their speed according to the weather changes. For instance, when it rains, some roads tend to be slippery, and the driver should drive carefully and at a low speed to prevent the bus from sliding, thus leading to an accident.
Blind spots and turns: Drivers who are not keen to check their blind spots or are careless when making turns could be responsible if they get into an accident.
Mechanical Failure
Defective bus: A bus can be defective from the start if the manufacturer does not take proper care to ensure it was made properly.
Defective parts: All components of the bus have the potential to be defective. The bus may have been safe initially, but replacement parts could be dangerously defective. The parts manufacturer could be accountable if the bus gets into an accident.
Poor maintenance: Some bus owners neglect their buses and do not take them for routine maintenance. To avoid accidents, the owners should ensure that it is properly maintained and passes all required inspections. Tires should be checked often to make sure they are properly inflated.