A 2005
bus crash
in western New York has been resolved before trial. There were four deaths
and a significant number of personal injuries. The bus was carrying a
youth hockey team through New York near Rochester.
The settlement
came from insurance carriers for the bus and trucks involved in the accident.
Police investigators suspected bus driver fatigue. The driver had been
on the road for many hours and there was missing paperwork for his time
in the days prior to the accident. This scenario is very similar to a
rash of recent bus accidents due to driver fatigue, speeding and improper
maintenance. Bus owners do little to follow federal and state guidelines,
although tighter monitoring by government agencies in 2011 has lead to
grounding some companies. Passengers have no way of knowing what danger
bus drivers pose, and we commend any agency who uses all possible regulations
to fine dangerous bus companies.
