School bus transportation is not always flawless

School buses are forms of transportation that have been around for years and have come in handy many times for students and parents that are in need of transportation. They are also a great opportunity for students to make friends and possibly get some last minute homework done.

While this all may be true and buses are helpful, the process is not completely flawless. When driving to school, students tend to get caught behind buses which, inconveniently, go ten miles an hour, or more, under the speed limit. Speed limits are set to a speed that is a safe pace for vehicles of all kinds. For example, if there were to be a hilly road, the speed limit would not be set for fifty miles an hour because that would not be safe for any type of car.

Laws are set to keep people safe which is why speed limits were created. It is not necessary to go under the speed limit when the number is set for a reason. A speed limit would not be set at 50 MPH if it were going to be unsafe for a school bus to drive at that speed.

Not only is the speed of buses an issue, their turning abilities is not always spot on. There have been multiple occasions where buses are turning into the school and the back end of the bus swings out into the far right lane which in turn, almost hits other cars around them. I have been forced to dodge a bus a handful of times this school year.

Bus drivers are not only responsible for the students on their bus, but they are also responsible for the students around them. I feel like this is something that is commonly forgotten considering the amount of times it has happened. Buses should take their intimidating size into more consideration when driving and maneuvering a turn to help other vehicles around them feel more comfortable.

For example, there was one incident when waiting at a red light and a bus was on the opposite side of the intersection, waiting to turn left. When the light turned green, we proceeded to go straight because, legally, we had the right of way. While going forward, the bus sped up and turned left, cutting us off which caused us to slam on the breaks and lay on the horn.

School buses should be more cautious when it comes to their size and pay more attention to the vehicles around them. Just because someone may be driving a bigger vehicle, does not give them an excuse to drive however they please. If buses could be more careful by checking their rear view mirror before they turn it could help keep the students around them safer.

In regards to the speed issue, buses could simply just drive the speed limit. It’s understandable if the bus is driving slowly because they have stops to make, but when they have a straight shot down the road, it is not necessary to drive under the speed limit. Students need to get to school on time to meet with teachers or get homework done, but when they get held up by a bus, it puts people behind schedule.

Although there are some imperfections with the process, buses do a great job of keeping the students safe and getting them where they need to be. If some of these issues were resolved and buses paid a little more attention to their surroundings, students would be able to get to school quicker and safer.