Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1949-03-31

Unfortunately we must also be
ashamed, heartsick. For too many
of our children ride to school daily
behind incompetent drivers, in un-
safe machines, unprotected by
adequate traffic laws.
"Only four questions have to be
asked: Is the driver competent?
Is the road free from unusual
hazard? Is the vehicle safe? Do
traffic laws protect the small child?
''ln one town a driver with
reputation for recklessness forth
fled himself with bottle of whis-
by one cold morning. A child was
killed when he sideswiped a tele-
graph pole.
bad roads have been blamed
for our two most tragic school
bus accidents of the past decade,
accidents in which 25 children and
two drivers lost their lives.
Although great progress has
been made in the past decade in
incorporating safety features in
school bus design, the National
Safety Council reports that many
dangerous vehicles, improvised by
unskilled workmen, are still car
rying children to school.
"Two thirds of our states do
have traffic laws that forbid a
car heading in either direction to
pass school bus which has stop
ped in order to take on or dis
charge passengers. Sixteen states
still have no adequate laws.
Conferences have been held
under the direction of the National
Education Association, and stand
ards have been adopted reducing
school bus models from 100 to 8,
and improving safety and durabil-
ity features.
meas Commission on Safety
Education, under the able leader
ship of DR.. Robert w. Eaves, has
now started a battle to improve
standards among the 10000 drivers
who take the lives of 51s million
children in their hands each MORN
ing.
Children, especially junior and
high-school students, are apt to
use the bus trip as a time for
youthful capers, which may put
their lives in serious danger. The
National Safety Council suggests
that school administrators appoint
two student assistants to each bus
driver. These youngsters wear a
Safety Patrol brassard and have
the job of maintaining discipline.
"Parent-teacher associations and
women's groups should consult
with school superintendent, with
the transportation specialist in the
state department of education,
with state legislators, to find out
whether the transportation pro-
gram is being administered wisely
under present law or whether new
laws are needed to protect the
children who ride in school buses.
salient points to check are
these:
81. Does your state have a traf-
fic law forbidding motorists to pass
stopped school bus? Is the law
well publicized, strictly enforced?
"2. Are your buses painted
bright chrome-yellow, clearly
marked, equipped with blinker
lights which flash as they stop?
Do they have steel bodies, safety
glass, double sash windows, other
safety features? Are they more
than eight years old? Are there
constant maintenance checks? Does
the school own it's own buses?
80. Have the bus drivers demon
strated through road and written
tests that they are capable in their
jobs? Are they given annual ply
steal examinations? Does your
state maintain a driver-training
program?
"a. How safe are your roads?
Have bus routes been planned,
wherever possible, to avoid I'M
guarded railroad crossings, blind
curves. dangerous intersections?
"5. Does your school use the
Safety Patrol system? Is discipline
maintained among the children?"