Bus accidents: Who's to blame?

 How many fatal bus accidents have occurred within recent memory?

      

Far too many, we're afraid, with bus companies and the government regulatory agency, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, equally to blame for

the murder and mayhem in our streets. 

      

In the latest incident, a Valisno Express passenger bus crashed into a concrete arch marking the boundary of Caloocan City and Quezon City along Quirino Highway last week. Four died on the spot while 16 others, including the bus conductor, were taken to the nearest hospital for treatment of head and body injuries.

      

The bus driver escaped after the incident but later surrendered to police. He was later found positive for illegal drugs.

      

After the accident, the LTFRB suspended for 30 days the operations of the entire fleet of Valisno Express.  All of its 62 buses have been required to undergo roadworthiness inspection by the Land Transportation Office.

      

Moreover, all drivers of the bus company will be required to undergo a road safety seminar and drug tests, and to secure police and NBI clearances.

      

A classic case of taking action after the fact, instead of ensuring that public utility buses are roadworthy and their drivers qualified to sit behind the wheel.        

      

But why do bus drivers race each other on our roads? The culprit seems to be the refusal of bus companies to pay their drivers a fixed salary, instead of the current commission system. The result: bus drivers careen down the streets unmindful of the safety of their passengers, just so they can earn more money at day's end.

      

But as we pointed out at the outset, the LTFRB is not blameless for the mess, as they have been gross negligent in monitoring the compliance of bus firms with accepted safety standards. –End-

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