Traffic accidents became a tangible problem as soon as widespread motorized transportation became a thing.

Even in the days of yore, when horse-drawn carriages would be the fastest object on the roads, two coaches could slam into each other, causing the horses, the vehicles, as well as the occupants serious harm. 

With the invention of internal combustion engines and cars, there was an unsurprising skyrocketing rise in the amount of traffic accidents. 

Although every new generation of vehicle needs to pass rigorous safety testing to become road-worthy, it’s also true that the speed of the vehicles tends to negate any safety features that were introduced. 

There’s the component of size, too. 

The larger the vehicle, the more dangerous a traffic accident involved with it tends to be.

Extra-large vehicles such as buses, for example, tend to not get in accidents as often, but when they do, it can be a big deal. 

In this article, we’re going to talk about the most common causes of bus accidents. As you will see, most bus accidents are preventable, provided the driver follows the road rules and the vehicle is inspected occasionally. 

Read on to learn more. 

Common causes of bus accidents 

More often than not, bus accidents occur the way all the other traffic accidents happen - negligence and irresponsible driving. 

A couple of missed tire pressure checkups, failing to refill your oil, or not getting enough sleep before sitting behind the wheel all represent the bulk of the reasons why accidents happen in the first place. 

In the sections below, we’re going to describe some of the more common culprits for bus accidents, so you can have a better idea what reason might be lurking behind every one of them. 

Reckless driving 

Whether it’s taking liberties with the new church bus that’s got the latest six cylinder turbo Diesel, or simply working longer hours than allowed, bus drivers are often the ones to blame for bus accidents. 

Operating a vehicle that’s as large and that carries as many people as a bus is a great responsibility, so giving drivers proper training is of massive importance for a company that has a fleet of these vehicles at its disposal. 

What often happens is that transportation companies will strike a deal with their drivers to have them miss out on health & safety training. The companies don’t have to pay for the classes and the drivers don’t have to attend them, which may seem like a win-win. 

That said, this education is essential when it comes to preventing a large number of bus accidents. 

Bus company negligence 

Buying a bus and decorating its interior for long-haul drives is only one part of operating and maintaining a bus fleet. 

With mileage and especially with advanced age, so to speak, buses need regular maintenance. The upkeep costs can pile up and spare parts as well as repairs can be expensive. 

That said, getting in a position where you have to pay for the damages of your passengers in case of an accident is a way worse scenario than dishing out a regular paycheck to keep your fleet up-and-running. 

What’s worse, bus companies who compromise on safety and maintenance of their vehicles risk losing more than just their reputation over minor fender-benders. Failing to comply with safety regulations and provide appropriate training to their drivers can get both their drivers and passengers involved in deadly accidents. 

Depending on where the company is stationed, the rules and regulations surrounding running a bus company are clearly reflected in the local law sb, so there is virtually no room for escaping culpability in case passengers suffer some sort of damage. 

Poor road conditions 

A survey completed a couple of years back clearly indicates a rather worrying pattern when it comes to road safety in the US - the road infrastructure throughout the nation is in a sorry state. Old roads and little to no maintenance funding does not bode well for the number of traffic accidents, and buses are not exempt from this statistic. 

Whether it’s potholes or bridges that barely can support their own weight, less-than-perfect roads can cause all sorts of accidents. When dodgy roads are compounded with bad weather, you can see that’s a combination that can truly represent a major risk for both the driver and the passengers. 

Driver fatigue

One of the most common reasons behind bus accidents, in particular, that we don’t find with other vehicles as much, would be fatigue. 

Since bus drivers often drive long distances, they have to be in excellent health and take regular breaks. The same goes for truckers and any drivers that sit behind the wheel of a large vehicle, travelin over long distances, by the way. 

The number of hours a driver can drive consecutively is strictly determined by the state law. For this reason, any accident that happens during an ‘overtime’, so to speak, would be directly attributed to the driver that did not take a break - regardless of whether or not he caused the accident in the first place. 

As is the case with safety courses, bus companies as well as their drivers will try to avoid this rule to enhance their effectiveness and speed. That said, for the sake of both the driver and the passengers, as well as the company itself, a little less profit can mean the difference between life and death, so following the law and taking frequent breaks is essential. 

Blind spots 

Buses are large vehicles and have a couple of blind spots that can be tough to account for at times - especially for inexperienced drivers.

Blind spots are thus mostly to blame for fender benders and parking accidents, although serious crashes can also happen when driving on the highway side by side a smaller vehicle.

Averting accidents caused by blind spots is easy enough.

All you need to do is ensure that your vehicle has passed safety requirements that make a bus road-worthy.

This means mirrors, as well as cameras on some of the more recent models. A small investment in the department of visibility goes a long way and can even save lives.

Bus fires & faulty tires 

Experiencing a fire is bad enough, but having to go through a fire onboard a large vehicle can be perilous on an entirely different level.

Escaping a space that's as cooped up as a bus can be particularly difficult when everyone around you is panicking and exits are few and far between.

In such cases, the injuries that the people onboard sustain can be truly horrendous and life-changing, and often fatal unfortunately.

Faulty tires are also a serious risk on the road. A violent tire explosion at speed can tip the bus off balance and make it go off road. Since buses are rather large and cumbersome as they are, a bus going off road can easily start rolling over, thus creating a major injury and death risk for the passengers.

Conclusion

Faulty roads, drivers that bend the rules of traffic, and bus companies that are too greedy to properly train their drivers and staff - the reasons behind bus-related traffic accidents are all too familiar.

To avoid serious harm or potential death for your customers, always make sure to respect the safety protocols issued by the local authorities. Also, proper vehicle maintenance goes a long way and can help you minimize the risks of experiencing a potential traffic accident.