Elizabeth Wilson–Record-Bee staff
LAKEPORT ? No injuries occurred in an accident involving a Chevrolet Camaro and a school bus Monday afternoon shortly after school let out for the day.
CHP officers responded to the scene at approximately 3:30 p.m. The collision took place when Lakeport Unified School District driver Glenn Courtney was negotiating a wide right turn onto Lakeshore Boulevard.
“The school bus was far to the left, preparing to make a wide right turn, the driver didn”t notice and also tried to make a right turn, and the bus ended up clipping the car,” said California Highway Patrol officer Adam Garcia.
According to Garcia, although no injuries were involved, CHP is required to document all school bus accidents. The driver of the 1991 Camaro, a minor, resides in Lakeport.
Courtney was named School Bus Driver of the Year by CHP last spring for more than 30 years and 400,000 miles of accident-free school bus driving in Lakeport.
According to the CHP, only two awards are given out per year, one for Southern California and one for Northern California.
Courtney said he was not sure who was at fault in the collision.
“Accidents happen and you never know when it will happen. No matter how safely you drive?it”ll happen,” said Courtney.
Garcia said, “Motorists should be aware that buses as well as tractor trailers make wide turns and have an extended stopping distance. Everyone can help avoid most accidents by adjusting stopping distance and watching for turn signals.”
CHP officer Mike Humble said he has seen a growing trend in motorists not complying with the law when it comes to driving safely around school buses.
“I think that some of the confusion is due to a lack of understanding as to when a motorist has to stop for a school bus when it has its flashing red lights activated,” said Humble. According to section 22454 (a) of the California vehicle code, “Any vehicle upon meeting or overtaking, from either direction, any school bus? shall bring the vehicle to a stop immediately before passing the school bus and shall not proceed past the school bus until the flashing red light signal and stop signal arm, if equipped with a stop signal arm, cease operation.” The California driver handbook states that bus or big rig drivers must often swing wide to complete a right turn.
“When you follow a big rig, look at its turn signals before you start to pass. If you think it is turning left?wait a second and check the turn signals again.
The driver may actually be turning right.” Humble said although the law is specific, he frequently spots motorists breaking it.
“Some of the most common excuses I get are ?the bus is on the other side of the road,” there”s a two way left turn lane between us and I don”t have to stop,” or the very concerning statement I get on occasion, ?what school bus?””
Humble said motorists should err on the side of caution when sharing the roadway with a school bus. “Children are our future, please be extra vigilant when you see a school bus on the road?each day that our children get to school and return home to us safely is its own reward,” said Humble.
Contact Elizabeth Wilson at ewilson@record-bee.com.
