Bus Driver Rage????

[Tink888]

This is inspired by Binny's thread about an incident with her son's bus driver earlier this week.

This story appeared in a local paper this morning.

http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2008/11/21/news/doc4926222e496f8337977612.txt.

Apparently a 4th grade boy was moving from seat to seat. The driver warned him and when the boy wouldn't listen, the driver slammed on the brakes and sent the boy flying. Driver then proceeded to follow up with a threat. Police are filing charges against the driver.

Now, there's no doubt in my mind about the bad behavior and disrepsect that bus drivers have to deal with on a school bus and just trying to drive the bus with a bunch of talking kids has got to be stressful. I know that I wouldn't want the job. But this is just scary.

My kids have had more good drivers, than bad but wow, it really makes you want to drive them school huh?

 

[Demosthenes]

My kids have had more good drivers, than bad but wow, it really makes you want to drive them school huh?

Growing up, I rode the bus to school. I had more good drivers than bad ones, but I never had even one driver who could keep order on a bus. I saw things on the school bus that no young person should see or experience; for that reason, my kids won't be riding the bus.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Yes, IMHO these are very valid concerns.
Here is my post from that earlier thread:

This kind of issue is the huge pink elephant in the living room that everybody doesn't talk about....

It is a very very common problem that there are a good percentage of bus drivers out there who are incompetant, not emotionally-psychologically equipped to work with children, alcohol/substance abuse, and while I hate to even say it... some pedophiles....

I have seen it many many times around here... In the latest case, just a week or two ago... the kids on the bus were calling 911 on their cellphones because the driver was inebriated and they were becoming scared by the erratic driving. I have heard of children put off the bus on the roadside, etc... Abusive discipline... etc...

Another huge problem is bullying on the bus... Bullies know that what they might not get away with at school, they can easily get away with on a bus full of kids, with only one adult, who is busy driving...

There was one incident a couple years ago here with a kid with a knife!
Thank goodness my son was NOT riding the bus home at that time... as I made sure to pick him up every day.

Why do we not we not put more effort and attention to our children's well being and safety!!!! It is like the school systems take the attitude that "Hey, it's just the bus ride... it doesn't matter that much..."

Many times there are no real requirements expected of bus drivers.... no education, no training... just a driver's license.... if even that is verified.

And, in most cases, the 'Bus Company' is, very very conveniently, a separate entitiy from the School District... They are just 'contract'... Therefore there is the constant passing of the buck... "It's not OUR problem, you will have to contact the bus company." It is not OUR problem, you will have to contact the School District... A very convenient no-mans land of any real responsibility.

 

[MM27]

Jones said her son is suspended from the school bus this week, which she doesn’t understand.

While I am not condoning the bus drivers actions, I don't understand why the parent thinks her child is an innocent victim. By 4th grade kids should know what the bus rules are and a kid walking around from seat to seat on a bus is a problem. Of course he should be punished as well.

 

[goofyernmost]

Oh, I could write volumes on this topic. Working in a bus company, problems with school kids are sometimes unbelievable.

I guess that parents generally don't think that they or their children have any need to follow rules or be in the least bit polite.

If you think it's easy to drive down the road with idiot drivers cutting you off, chatting on their cell phones, putting on make up, braking for every stray air molecule all the while trying to keep 40 kids from killing themselves and each other, then I suggest you try it once. See what little darlings you have been raising.

What was described, if it did actually happen that way, was not acceptable, however, it has been my experience that the little sweethearts have been slightly less then truthful with their parents about the incidents. Since their children can do no wrong, it's always the driver that gets blamed.

We have security cameras on all our buses. You would not believe the difference between the kids story and the actual happenings when looking at the video's. Even with video evidence, it isn't the kids fault that they got kicked off, according to parents. Its the driver is bad, out of control or just out to get the kid. He/She's an angel and the big bad bus driver is picking on them. The biggest one lately has been...my child is autistic, he can't help his behavior. Yes, they can! Yes, you can help reinforce proper behavior, and no, your child's problems are not our responsibility. There are times I want to scream. If only the parents would take responsibility for there children, before long none of these incidents would happen at all. It is hard enough to maneuver a 16 ton vehicle through traffic without having to constantly be looking in the mirror to make sure everyone is seated and not killing each other.

As for kids witnessing stuff on buses...do you somehow think that they aren't seeing the same things on the school grounds?

If the child in question was sitting in the seat a quick stop would not have been a problem would it. Again it's the drivers fault. The kid was totally innocent. It does get tedious after a while.

 

[ameraumi]

I do not know where to start with goofyernmost post.

For one, a child with true Autism (depending on the degree of it) CANNOT help their actions! I am appalled you think that they should be able to. I do believe a child with Autism should not be on a regular school bus and should be in a SN bus equipt with carseats for their own safety.

And yes, there are parents who think thier kids are angels. However, there are also bus drivers who think they are above the law. Thank goodness for video cameras now.

 

[goofyernmost]

I do not know where to start with goofyernmost post.

For one, a child with true Autism (depending on the degree of it) CANNOT help their actions! I am appalled you think that they should be able to. I do believe a child with Autism should not be on a regular school bus and should be in a SN bus equipt with carseats for their own safety.

And yes, there are parents who think thier kids are angels. However, there are also bus drivers who think they are above the law. Thank goodness for video cameras now.

Sorry if I didn't make myself clear. That is exactly what I meant. If you have a child that cannot control themselves then leaving a bus driver with a large number of lives to be concerned with, to control an autistic child, is exactly when the parents responsibility kicks in and they realize that as much as they would like, the child cannot fit into regular systems.

My point was when a child acts up and cannot be controlled that is the excuse we hear so often now. "My child is Autistic." My response to that is if your child is able to fit into the regular transportation system without endangering themselves or others, then they indeed can control it. If not, then the bus is not the place for them. It's simply too risky. Using that as an excuse for a child's unacceptable public behavior is bogus. May I again point out, so no misunderstanding continues, I am not blaming the child, I am strongly blaming the parents. Their children are not the center of the universe, they must fit in to function with others. If they cannot it is no different then being born without legs, no matter how much one tries they are not going to walk without special accommodations.

Yes, as for the camera's they do work both ways, but, 95% of the time the driver is just trying to deal with someone else's brat as best they can.

 

[bigtinkfun]

Their children are not the center of the universe...95% of the time the driver is just trying to deal with someone else's brat as best they can.

Ding! Ding! Ding! Give Goofyernmost a cigar! That sentiment is spot on!

I work in a public library and it amazes me what I see parents letting their kids get away with. A lot of the time, I don't blame the kid, he or she is just being a kid. But if you bring it up with the parent (presuming mommy of daddy is there), the reaction is not shock and outrage over Junior's behavior, it's "How dare you criticize my little darling!"

Way too many parents think their child is above reproach.

 

[Stitchfans]

I drove a school bus for 4 years. You all wouldn't believe half of what I went through. The "used" items I found in the back of the bus after driving high schoolers home, so on. The language, kids hopping around from seat to seat, screaming, throwing things around. I always pulled over to a safe spot and sat there until they could behave like human beings.

I told them once they sat down, shut up, and behaved we would continue on. 9 times out of 10 that always worked.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Oh, I could write volumes on this topic. Working in a bus company, problems with school kids are sometimes unbelievable.

I guess that parents generally don't think that they or their children have any need to follow rules or be in the least bit polite.

If you think it's easy to drive down the road with idiot drivers cutting you off, chatting on their cell phones, putting on make up, braking for every stray air molecule all the while trying to keep 40 kids from killing themselves and each other, then I suggest you try it once. See what little darlings you have been raising.

What was described, if it did actually happen that way, was not acceptable, however, it has been my experience that the little sweethearts have been slightly less then truthful with their parents about the incidents. Since their children can do no wrong, it's always the driver that gets blamed.

We have security cameras on all our buses. You would not believe the difference between the kids story and the actual happenings when looking at the video's. Even with video evidence, it isn't the kids fault that they got kicked off, according to parents. Its the driver is bad, out of control or just out to get the kid. He/She's an angel and the big bad bus driver is picking on them. The biggest one lately has been...my child is autistic, he can't help his behavior. Yes, they can! Yes, you can help reinforce proper behavior, and no, your child's problems are not our responsibility. There are times I want to scream. If only the parents would take responsibility for there children, before long none of these incidents would happen at all. It is hard enough to maneuver a 16 ton vehicle through traffic without having to constantly be looking in the mirror to make sure everyone is seated and not killing each other.

As for kids witnessing stuff on buses...do you somehow think that they aren't seeing the same things on the school grounds?

If the child in question was sitting in the seat a quick stop would not have been a problem would it. Again it's the drivers fault. The kid was totally innocent. It does get tedious after a while.

My mother is a retired bus matron. The stories she tells will make your hair stand on end.

Here special needs students aren't allowed on buses with just a driver. They must have a matron. In some cases, there may be several matrons on one bus. One is assigned to a certain child, while the other matron monitors the rest of the children.

Bus drivers and matrons are saints. You couldn't pay me enough to do those jobs.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Way too many parents think their child is above reproach.