The School Bus Tragedies In Canada And India
silent, ongoing, global war between motor cars and people. It is silent because though it kills many more people than armed conflicts and terrorist acts combined, it seldom hits the headlines the way they do. It is ongoing because it rages and will continue to rage around us day and night. And it is global because though it started in the rich world just over a century ago, it has spread throughout the world and is now spreading like wild fire through poor countries’’. Let me start with the tragedy in Canada. According to news report, the crash occurred when a semi trailer slammed into a bus carrying a youth hockey team to a playoff game in western Canada.28people including the driver were on board the bus of the Humboldt Broncos hockey team when the crash occurred around 5pm on Highway 35 in Saskatchewan, killing 15 people and injuring 14 in a collision that a doctor compared to an airstrike and left the vehicles obliterated in the snow. In the words of the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau,“An entire country is in shock and mourning,” “This is every parent’s worst nightmare. No one should ever have to see their child leave to play the sport they love and never come back.”In a tweet, U.S. President Donald Trump said he called Trudeau to offer his condolences to the families of victims. Darren This crash according to reports could have been avoided if the tractor-trailer had yielded to a stop sign before crossing over the highway that the hockey bus was travelling on. It also notes that there is a stand of trees on the southeast corner of the intersection; limiting visibility of the approach on both roads. Police said a lot of issues have to be investigated, including weather conditions at the time and any mechanical issues with the vehicles The Indian bus tragedy was no different. Like the Canadian crash, this crash was caused by the mistake of the driver which killed at least 27 children ,some as young as four after a school bus plunged off a mountain road overnight into a deep gorge in the Himalayan foothills about 500 kilometers north of New Delhi. Four adults also died. Ten children were hospitalized. Initial reports indicated the bus driver was speeding as he took the children home and lost control at the edge of the gorge. The bus fell some 60 meters to the ground below. India’s roads, particularly in the hills, are feared for their deep potholes, reckless drivers and often a lack of guardrails. “I am deeply anguished by the loss of lives,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet.“My prayers and solidarity with those who lost their near and dear ones.”What these tragedies have shown is that while improved road infrastructure is key, consistent driver education must remain a priority not just in developing but also developed countries.