District: Elk Grove School Bus Crash Would Have Been Worse Without Rules
ELK GROVE (CBS13) - A half-dozen people were taken to the hospital after a school bus crash in Elk Grove around 7 a.m. on Monday.
School district officials say the injuries on the bus could have been worse if it wasn't for safety standards.
"I was upset of course, it's not the kind of call you want to get," said James Snow.
He is the Transportation Supervisor for the Elk Grove Unified School District.
"Just really worried that everybody was going to be OK," said Snow.
Several special needs students, a driver and attendant were taken to the hospital after their bus crashed on Wilton Road. California Highway Patrol says another vehicle side swiped a car before crashing into the school bus, forcing it off the road. The bus rolled over and nearly hit a tree before coming to a stop.
The driver of the other vehicle has severe injuries. Everyone inside the bus is expected to be OK.
"Very relieved that there were very minor injuries," said Xanthi Pinkerton with Elk Grove Unified School District.
She says their buses have cameras, seat belts, vests and other technology to improve safety.
"These buses are at the highest standards," said Pinkerton.
"California has probably the best-trained drivers on the road for school buses," said Snow.
California bus drivers are required to take a 40-hour course, plus on-going training for 10 hours each year.
The state legislature was the first in the country to implement a law requiring both a lap and shoulder belt for buses manufactured after 2005.
All of Elk Grove's special needs buses have a lap belt, they don't have a shoulder strap, which was mandated after these were built.
The buses also have technology upgrades.
"This is part of our GPS system," said Snow pointing to a small box above the driver seat.
In case of a serious wreck, like the one Monday morning, and school staff can now be aware in minutes.
"So when we have an emergency, we can locate the bus right away," said Snow.
The bus driver from Monday morning's wreck has been with the school system for eight years; four as an attendant and four as a driver.
