Rant: Getting flak for insisting we coordinate with school bus routes during site work

Most operators think traffic management isn't our problem, but I argue it's a safety essential. A near-miss last year changed my mind, and now I always check the schedule.

4 comments

4 Comments

willoww946h ago

What specifically are the higher-ups saying when you push for that coordination, because in my experience the pushback usually isn't from the operators themselves, it's from a project manager worried about a timeline. Is there a real consequence for the guys who blow past the schedule, or is it just a verbal warning that gets ignored?

cameronjenkins7h ago

Do they honestly believe that ignoring school bus schedules is a valid risk management strategy? I've seen guys treat those big yellow buses like mobile obstacles in a video game, just swerving around them without a second thought. Remember that near-miss? Next time it could be a kid chasing a backpack into the street, not just a close call. But sure, let's prioritize saving five minutes over not having a lifetime of guilt. It's not like children's safety is important or anything.

cameronf882h ago

Years ago, I didn't take school bus stops seriously either, always in a rush to get to the next job. Then I witnessed a close call where a kid darted out from behind a bus, and it shook me to my core. That moment made me realize how quickly a simple shortcut could turn into a tragedy. Now I treat every yellow bus like it's surrounded by invisible children, because for all we know, it might be. Saving a few minutes is never worth the risk of someone's life. We all need to remember that our impatience can have real consequences!

the_grant6h ago

Tbh, @cameronjenkins, not every driver ignores those schedules, but the ones who do are playing with fire. It only takes one mistake to change a life.