News Summary
Greenville, South Carolina is experiencing growing unease regarding the safety of school buses following multiple crashes. Recent incidents have led to increased community discussions on measures to improve safety for students during their daily commutes. With a significant rise in reported crashes, parents and school officials are grappling with concerns over safety protocols and the need for qualified drivers. The local school district is taking steps to enhance training and regulations, aiming to protect the children who rely on buses for transportation.
Increasing Concerns Over School Bus Safety in Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville, South Carolina is buzzing with unease as reports of crashes involving school buses continue to rise. Just recently, a bus was rear-ended on Cedar Lane Road, causing chaos on the roads and prompting serious questions about the safety of our children during their daily commutes. As incidents pile up, many community members are stepping in to voice their concerns about what needs to be done to keep kids safe.
Recent Incidents Raise Alarm Bells
Just a few weeks ago, on February 13, 2025, an unfortunate crash occurred when a school bus was hit from behind by a car. This particular incident created a significant traffic jam and heightened worries about the safety of the children on board. Meanwhile, dashcam footage from April 2024 showed an alarming incident where a bus lost control and crashed into a mobile home. Additionally, in December 2024, a bus carrying special needs students veered into the woods after hitting a ditch. These incidents cannot be overlooked as they paint a grim picture of the current situation.
Statistics Present a Troubling Trend
According to data collected from state authorities, there were 985 school bus crashes reported last school year alone, with 447 crashes already noted for the current school year. The highest concentration of these accidents has been in the Upstate area, specifically in Greenville County, which boasts the largest school district in the state. Community members are understandably worried, as those numbers are simply too high for comfort.
Addressing the Issue: What’s Being Done?
Fortunately, not everything is grim. Adam James, the Director of Transportation for Greenville County Schools, shared some optimism. While fewer crashes were recorded last year compared to the year before, there is still plenty of room for improvement. With around 1,900 bus trips made each day, the average comes to less than one collision per day. But that average is not enough to quell the fears of parents and guardians.
To further enhance safety, the school district is actively working on hiring and retaining qualified bus drivers. However, this task presents its own challenges; even though driver pay has seen a notable increase of 27% since 2020, rising from $19.06 to $24.37 per hour, many drivers are still leaving for potentially better-paying jobs elsewhere. Unfortunately, this drop in hiring has led to a reduction of available bus driver positions, down from 90 during the pandemic to just 38 now.
Training and Safety Protocols: The Way Forward
To combat the rising concerns surrounding bus safety, rigorous training for bus drivers has been emphasized as a key component in ensuring student safety. Many of the reported crashes involved drivers who violated safety protocols, such as going around stop arms or engaging in distracted driving. It is crucial for drivers to remain attentive and prioritize the safety of all passengers on their buses.
Community member Stacia Lomax, who has family members riding the bus, has called on drivers to think more about their actions behind the wheel and their impact on children’s safety.
The Call for Stronger Regulations
Legal experts, including personal injury attorneys, have highlighted the urgent need for stronger legislation to tackle the issue of distracted driving. Measures like stricter penalties could help deter risky behavior on the roads, making the trip to school safer for everyone.
A Recent Tragedy: A Shocking Reminder
As a chilling reminder of the stakes involved, the recent crash on February 13 claimed the life of the driver of an SUV that collided with a school bus after it was struck by a tow truck. Although it was fortunate that the children on board the bus were unharmed and both drivers sustained injuries, the incident has certainly sent shockwaves through the community, marking the third school bus crash in the area within just a week.
As Greenville grapples with these troubling developments, it becomes clear that collaboration between the school district, local law enforcement, and the community is needed to create safer roadways for children. Everyone has a role to play, and together, we must work to ensure the safety of our most precious cargo – our kids!
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Additional Resources
- Fox Carolina: Hundreds of Bus Crashes Recorded Statewide
- WSPA: Coroner Investigates Deadly Crash Involving School Bus
- MSN: Driver Hurt After School Bus Crash in Greenville County
- Wikipedia: School Bus Safety
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bus Safety
