Recently my neighbors and I discovered that our kids bus driver was texting and driving. One kid down the street took a picture of the driver texting and his mom sent the picture to the busing company. Not only did the driver NOT get fired but she was transferred to another route! Before she was put on our neighborhoods route she was on another route but there were complaints of her texting on that route as well.
As neighbors and concerned parents we pulled together and some of us called the busing company to complain. When I talked to the busing co. manager she told me the picture that was sent in wasn't enough evidence. She said that her foot wasn't on the gas (in the pic) and the speedometer was on 0. She has to have evidence that the driver is indeed texting and driving. So the kids word and picture from a cell phone isn't good enough?
Anyone else been thru this? Now the word is that she FINALLY got fired and the driver that we currently have is very nice. Even though this driver is probably fired who's to say that she won't get a job at another school distict and do the same thing all over again. Our kids safety is compromised by some idiot that can't stop texting and do her job.
I'm just curious, how widespread is this problem?
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I would have not tried to get her fired but would have found a way to let her know that some kids took a pic and that the severity of this could get her canned, etc. Bus drivers are not rich and she probably is a single mom. Hopefully that threat would have been enough--but if not then I would have reported her.
I'd go to the police and show it to them, and let an officer go to the bus company to discuss it with the driver and the manager. I'll bet there would be much more action. You can also write a letter to the local paper, not naming the driver but naming the bus company, and that will create negative publicity. Also start a petition and take it to the bus company demanding more action and a public statement about their policy. Call your TV news station and ask them to do an investigative report about this company and maybe a few others. Make the bus company defend themselves to the media. And of course the problem is that the driver will get transferred to another route, and the problem will start all over again. There have been reports in many cities of subway/trolley operators texting, with some major accidents. In Boston, the subway drivers can't even have a cell phone with them, even in their pockets. So make noise, and plenty of it. Don't be mollified just because someone got transferred to another route.
One of my best frined's daughter got killed head on while texting and driving. It's illegal to do it in CA. I'd totally turn it in and start a movement for your state to make it illegal if it isnt already. Distracted driving is just as bad as drunk driving!
It is against the law here to text and drive.. How about where you live? I would send this information to the school board as well as the Police..
This is very dangerous in a car.. but a SCHOOL BUS? Heck no..
It is called POLICE, call them they will handle it.
God help the person that may one day drive my child to school, if that were my son's bus driver the police would have been involved before the bussing company.
NO. WAY.
I'm so glad this worked out and she's been fired. There is absolutely no way this is acceptable! Now that phones are everywhere, bussing companies need to be very clear that there is ZERO tolerance for this. They have radios to communicate with each other, other than that, anything else should be able to wait until the route is over. It's not that long.
Here's a local incident, and this driver is facing legal charges.
http://fridley.patch.com/articles/school-bus-driver-from-...
http://www.startribune.com/local/north/189297201.html?ref...
They better not! I don't blame you for putting up a fight with the bus company! That is unacceptable! I would be PISSED as well!
Instead of complaining to a bus company, this should always be reported to the police. The goal should be to prevent her from driving a bus loaded with children, anywhere! She should have her license suspended. Instead, she is free to go to another town and risk the lives of other children. I would encourage kids to get a video if they ever see this happen.
I cannot even walk and text. lol
I would have suggested that you confront the bus driver, but it sounds like she has been transferred. I would call the police. It is not like she is riding a bike, she is driving a huge bus. That is so dangerous on so many levels. I would hate for her to have to hit someone for her to learn her lesson.
I cannot believe the bus company has not reprimanded the bus driver. I agree with not wanting to get her fired, but that would be a small price to pay considering if she kills someone texting and driving.
Good luck!!!
Why did you call the bus company instead of the police? I would have called 911 immediately to report that bus driver. He would have been fired right away AND his bus license would be revoked so that he couldn't ever drive a bus risking childrens' lives (and others on the road since buses often total other vehicles while they hardly get any damage at all) again.
He would also (hopefully) have his regular license revoked.
I would still call 911 and forward them that photo.
I do not support her texting whlle behind the wheel nor do I support children encouraged to record adults' behavior.
