As some know, I drive for Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 (CIU 20). Today’s multi-vehicle accident on the 1400 block of Northampton Street had our local website reporters writing headlines to draw in readers, but were as usual, deceptive in nature and solicited comments of ignorance.
One story on the LVL website was titled, Easton school bus accident: Speed a possible factor, police say seemed to be enough to have “Trickster63″ add, Not surprise (sic) that speed might be a factor, especially the way some of these bus drivers fly around here.
The assumption by Trickster63 was that it was the school bus speeding. In fact, a follow-up story now indicates that the speeding vehicle may have been a black Suzuki SX4 that caused the chain of events, in which the school bus was among the resulting casualties.
Trickster63 can’t be held totally to blame for his/her assumption. The headline invited it and it is just another example of slanted journalism that the Express-Times uses to draw readers.
Not much better in its reporting was WFMZ.com, which incorrectly stated it was the school bus that collided into 4 cars. Totally inaccurate, but there’s nothing better than writing a story that makes a school bus driver sound like a crazed speedster.
For me, who was driving this morning and monitoring the event on the two-way radio immediately upon it occurring, I was fairly certain that our driver was not to blame and as a Union Steward, I was acutely aware that a bus driver is closely scrutinized when such an event happens. It is not beyond the scope of possibility that I might be required to assist a driver, should management take the position that the driver did something wrong.
What LVL was reporting were snippets of information that cast a shadow of suspicion on the bus driver. One story had the reporter overhearing a police officer mention that blood was being drawn for a DUI check, but the reporter failed to follow-up with the “why” of the blood check.
The “why” is because DOT requires Commercial Driver License holders and especially school bus drivers to be tested for drugs and alcohol whenever they are involved in an accident. It doesn’t matter if they are clearly not at fault (such as getting hit from behind). We are immediately required to report for a test. There does not need to be a suspicion of driving under the influence to initiate the test. It is state law that it must be done.
What I can tell you is what I know for certain.
The main concern of CIU 20 at the time of the accident was the condition of the children and the personnel involved. How it happened was secondary to the welfare of the children and the notification of parents. Other CIU 20 buses were dispatched to assist and transfer students when able to do so.
The driver was diagnosed with whiplash, along with a bruised elbow and leg. The monitor on board needed stitches for a laceration on her knee. Even though suffering those minor injuries, their main concern was the children and both are thankful that none of the children were injured in the accident.
Traffic accidents involving buses always make headlines. Reporters that are desperate to write something without facts make for irresponsible journalism.
Irresponsible journalism invites comments from total morons, such as this one on LVL, who uses the pseudonym “pishposh”:
Disclaimer: On January 4, 2016, the owner of WestEastonPA.com began serving on the West Easton Council following an election. Postings and all content found on this website are the opinions of Matthew A. Dees and may not necessarily represent the opinion of the governing body for The Borough of West Easton.
We are the ones who have to sit and wait while the drivers chat with parents at the bus stop while they wave to their little darlings and are lectured about how WE have to have to obey the drivers, and when they cause an accident because they have to do 90 down Northampton St. they get to walk away and laugh in our face with no repercussions.
NOTE: Before this idiot posted the comment, the name of the bus driver had already been published. Also, drivers are not immune to liability, though some school district employees do have liability insurance. I wouldn’t doubt he is one of those fools who drive around a school bus when the reds are on.