Latest News about Texas Personal Injury Law / Cases
DART Buses: Dangerous And Risky Transport
Posted on Mar 22, 2011
Like many residents of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, I like the idea of improved public transport - particularly as gas prices continue to rise, it is a cheaper alternative to driving, with the added bonus that you can indulge in all those distractions which can be deadly while driving - such as texting on your cellphone or reading the newspaper. As a board-certified personal injury lawyer, I can also appreciate how more people riding mass transport means less vehicles on the road, and thus less fatal auto accidents. So I was naturally disappointed to learn that the Dallas Area Rapid Transport fleet of buses averages 3 collisions a day.
That's right: over a 7 month period from 01/01/2009 to 06/08/2010, DART buses were involved in a total of 1,832 traffic wrecks. What's worse, is that DART themselves have declared 15% of those crashes "preventable" - meaning that the collision was to some extent the due to the negligence of the bus driver. DART officials argue that's because of their stringent standards when it comes to accountability. I'll admit I'm somewhat skeptical, since the report also states that DART currently has 25 drivers on their payroll with 2 or more preventable accidents on their record.
DART have defended their training following the report, but these figures clearly reveal that it is woefully inadequate. Given their sheer size, buses can inflict tremendous property damage and personal injuries in the event of a collision. Whenever you travel on a public bus service, you are putting your life in the hands of the driver so you expect that they've had the best training possible and that they safety as the foremost thought in their mind the entire time. That does not appear to be the case, unfortunately.
Mark Anderson is a board certified PI and wrongful death attorney who has been serving traffic crash injury victims and their families from across the DFW area since 1991. For a complimentary copy of Mark's book, 15 Mistakes That Will Wreck Your Texas Accident Case, or to schedule a free no obligation consultation on your case, call toll free on 800-354-MARK (6275).
