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School Buses Are Out There

Mike Bryant — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 09:43:00 GMT

Now that many are back to school there are buses back on the roads. Dues to budget restraints there have been changes in many routes. Kids are being driven more and walking long distances. They may be facing more transfers from vehicle to buses. All of these changes add up to the need to watch out.

Kids:

Need to be taught to always keep in mind that cars may not see them
they need to be dressed in ways they can be seen
They need to be taught proper exiting and walking habits.

Parents

Need to always be watching.
Need to make sure kids are not left in cars or put in unsafe conditions.
Need to make sure the safest routes to school are used.

All of us

Need to watch for kids on the road
Slow down for school buses and other vehicles where children are exiting
Ask ourselves if the funding choices of less busing routes makes sense, especially with the increased risks.

With School Safety month upon us it's important we all do our part to make this a safe start to the new School Year.

Originally posted at The Legal Examiner by Mike Bryant

Back to School

Mike Bryant — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 09:33:00 GMT

Each year, I have been reminded by my good friend Mark Bello that school will be starting soon:

Schools Are About to Open: Drivers Please Be Cautious!, | August 18, 2010 4:50 PM

School's Cool...Distracted Driving is Not!, Lindsay Rakers | August 28, 2012 9:32 AM

Yes, buses will be back on the roads. Dues to budget restraints there have been changes in many routes. Kids are being driven more and walking long distances. They may be facing more transfers from vehicle to buses. All of these changes add up to the need to Bob Stuber, founder of Escape School, a group that aims to keep kids safe was recently on the Early Show with the following tips:

Research Route to School: Parents and kids together need to map out what route to take to school, and any alternate routes.
Encourage Responsibility: Kids should not expect cars to look out for them; they need to take responsibility and protect themselves.
Watch Child Reach Safety: If you drive your child to school, don't take off the moment she steps out of the car.
Advocate for Safety Changes: Parents often don't realize how much power they have to change things within a school. If you think your child's bus should have a crossing gate, or your school needs a call-back system (the administration calls if your child does not arrive at school), then gather other parents together and complain.

There is also other things that each of us can do:

Kids:

Need to be taught to always keep in mind that cars may not see them
they need to be dressed in ways they can be seen
They need to be taught proper exiting and walking habits.

Parents

Need to always be watching.
Need to make sure kids are not left in cars or put in unsafe conditions.
Need to make sure the safest routes to school are used.

All of us

Need to watch for kids on the road
Slow down for school buses and other vehicles where children are exiting
Ask ourselves if the funding choices of less busing routes makes sense, especially with the increased risks.

With School Safety month upon us it's important we all do our part to make this a safe start to the new School Year.

Originally posted at The Legal Examiner by Mike Bryant

National Boating Week is for Safety

Mike Bryant — Sat, 19 May 2012 09:44:00 GMT

It's National Boating Week. A time to remember to be safe out on the water. In the past, I looked at the issues with the increase in drinking while boating charges. Hopefully, we won't see another year like that.

Some ideas to keep in mind:

Children in Minnesota 10 and under have to wear a life jacket at all times. And federal law for federal waters it's 12 and under.
Make sure everything is in working order before you go out to far.
The captain is responsible for the crew and cannot be over the legal limit.
Always check the weather
Do not drive your boat at excessive or unsafe speed.
Make sure to be aware of other boats on the water, but don't forget about water skiers, tubers, jet skiers, and wave runners.

Here's some additional reading:

Have a Safe Boating Weekend, by Brooks Schuelke, Austin, Texas.

Boating in Iowa, Let's be careful out there!, Steve Lombardi from West Des Moines, Iowa.

from the Injuryboard Beth Janicek’s Boating and Boozing.

Tips to Sail Your Boat Safely Through the Summer, Mark Bello | June 02, 2010 4:14 PM

Safety First When Boating This Summer, Devon Glass | June 02, 2010 8:49 AM

Hopefully, it's a fun and happy week for everyone.

Originally posted at The Legal Examiner by Mike Bryant

Fishing Opener and Boating Safety

Mike Bryant — Thu, 03 May 2012 09:30:00 GMT

It's an early Fishing Opener tomorrow. It's time to remember to be safe out on the water. I have a couple of times looked at the issues with the increase in drinking while boating charges. Hopefully, we won't see another year of increased numbers.

Some ideas to keep in mind:

Children in Minnesota 10 and under have to wear a life jacket at all times. And federal law for federal waters it's 12 and under.
Make sure everything is in working order before you go out to far.
The captain is responsible for the crew and cannot be over the legal limit.
Always check the weather
Do not drive your boat at excessive or unsafe speed.
Make sure to be aware of other boats on the water, but don't forget about water skiers, tubers, jet skiers, and wave runners.

Hopefully, it's a fun and happy day for everyone.

Originally posted at The Legal Examiner by Mike Bryant

Minnesota Supreme Court Upholds the Burlington Northern Verdict

Mike Bryant — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 14:05:00 GMT

Justice was indeed served as the Minnesota Supreme Court reversed the Minnesota Court of Appeals and upheld a $21 million verdict. In FRAZIER v. BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE CORPORATION, the high court ruled:

BNSF contends its “inadvertent failure to object, pre-deliberation, to the erroneous instruction” on common-law negligence was a simple mistake.* * * Granting BNSF a new trial on liability after it knowingly tried the case under (what we have assumed, but not determined, to be) the wrong standard of care does not accord with notions of fairness or ensure integrity in judicial proceedings. Indeed, reversal of the jury’s verdict for this assumed error—after a six-week trial during which BNSF defended on the basis of common-law negligence—would adversely impact the integrity of the judicial proceedings. We conclude that even if the instructions to the jury and special verdict form in this case were erroneous, even if the error was invited, even if invited error is reviewed as plain error, and even if the error substantially affected BNSF’s rights, the error did not affect the fairness or the integrity of the proceedings. We therefore reverse the court of appeals and affirm the district court’s denial of BNSF’s motion for a new trial on the ground of an allegedly erroneous instruction on the standard of care."

The decision was another step for justice for the families of the teenagers who were tragically killed so many years ago. The Minneapolis Tribune did some excellent reporting as they looked at the reaction of four of the families. Hopefully, the money will finally be paid and the families can move on as best they can. This topic has been looked at in the past here at the Injurybord as the case moved along: The Burlington Northern Case Now Heads To The Appeal Stage, Mike Bryant | August 07, 2010 10:05 AM

Rail Operators Failing to Maintain Safe Crossings, Randy Appleton | October 18, 2009 2:01 PM

Court Penalty Punishes Burlington Northern $4 Million For Lying, Mike Bryant | October 18, 2009 10:29 PM

Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad Destroyed Evidence in Attempted Cover Up, Brett Emison | October 16, 2009 11:32 AM

Railroad Says Human Life Not Worth $6 million, Brett Emison | December 12, 2009 10:07 AM

I salute the brave family members who have fought this battle and to their lawyers who were true advocates. Hopefully, their battle will add to the need for greater safety and continual scrutiny of all of the railroad practices.

Originally posted at The Legal Examiner by Mike Bryant

Bus Accident In Swift County Injures Two

Mike Bryant — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 17:35:26 GMT

Wednesday morning , a school bus drove into a field at U.S. Highways 12 and 59. On the school bus were students from the Lac qui Parle Valley School District . The driver and one student were injured. The incident is still under investigation.

Our sympathy goes out to those that were injured. It also had to be scary for any parent to hear that a school bus is involved. The most resent research indicates that 17,000 children end up in the emergency room each year after being injured on the bus. Hopefully, more consideration will be given to adding seat belts to these buses.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides a nice handbook that all children should review and parents should talk to them about. Each of my boys seemed to get something from it. I want to make sure on those days they take the bus they get back safely.

Originally posted at The Legal Examiner by Mike Bryant

Car/Bus Accident In Carver County

Mike Bryant — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 09:21:00 GMT

Friday morning , there was a car/ school bus collision at Pioneer Trail and Acorn Road in Chaska. On the school bus were students from the Pioneer Ridge Middle School. The driver of the car and a group of the children were injured. The incident is still under investigation.

Our hope is that everyone injured heals quickly. It also had to be scary for any parent to hear that a school bus is involved. The most resent research indicates that 17,000 children end up in the emergency room each year after being injured on the bus. Hopefully, more consideration will be given to adding seat belts to these buses.

Originally posted at The Legal Examiner by Mike Bryant

It's Time for School Buses

Mike Bryant — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 09:49:00 GMT

School is back and going next week in Minnesota. That means that buses are back on the roads. Dues to budget restraints there have been changes in many routes. Kids are being driven more and walking long distances. They may be facing more transfers from vehicle to buses. All of these changes add up to the need to watch out.

Kids:

Need to be taught to always keep in mind that cars may not see them
they need to be dressed in ways they can be seen
They need to be taught proper exiting and walking habits.

Parents

Need to always be watching.
Need to make sure kids are not left in cars or put in unsafe conditions.
Need to make sure the safest routes to school are used.

All of us

Need to watch for kids on the road
Slow down for school buses and other vehicles where children are exiting
Ask ourselves if the funding choices of less busing routes makes sense, especially with the increased risks.

With School Safety month upon us it's important we all do our part to make this a safe start to the new School Year.

Originally posted at The Legal Examiner by Mike Bryant

School is Back: Let's be Safe

Mike Bryant — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 09:54:00 GMT

School is back in session with the Sate Fair now almost done here in Minnesota. Safe Kids has some great advice to keep everyone safe:

Here are some simple reminders for drivers:

Slow down and be especially alert in the residential neighborhoods and school zones

Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs

Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully

Watch for children on and near the road in the morning and after school hours

Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings. Put down your phone and don’t talk or text while driving

Reminder for your kids:

They should cross the street with an adult until they are at least 10 years old

Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks

Never run out into the streets or cross in between parked cars

Make sure they always walk in front of the bus where the driver can see them

and a video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPxZKI1mfpo&feature=player_embedded

a couple of other great looks at the topic from the Injuryboard:

Speed in a North Carolina School Zone and You’ll Be Sorry, Michael Lewis | September 01, 2011 3:10 PM

Be Careful While Driving In Neighborhoods With School Starting, Scott Cooper | August 31, 2011 8:17 AM

I always found the first day to be the best part of each school year and have seen the same excitement in my own boys as I drop them off. So have fun, be safe and enjoy the start to a new year.

Originally posted at The Legal Examiner by Mike Bryant

Summer Days on the Water Still Need to be Safe

Mike Bryant — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 09:41:00 GMT

The rain has finally stopped and it's the hot season here in Minnesota, so many people are taking to our many lakes. Great time for water skiing, swimming and fishing. It's even fun to just float around on the waves. But, it's also a time to be safe.

As I have previously written:

Summer Boating: A Couple More Warnings, Mike Bryant | July 03, 2010 11:22 PM

To keep more people safe, the national water patrols have announced 'Operation Dry Water' an effort across the country to cut down on drinking and boating. In Minnesota the legal limit is 0.08 and first offenders can be fined $1,000 and go to jail. "We're seeing more and more of these where everyone's having a good time and drinking, but they're skiing and they turn around to pick up a falling skier and they'll run right into the skier," said Jeff Dauterman, a recreation safety warden with the DNR.

About BUI:

In Minnesota, about 30 percent of fatal boating accidents have some alcohol involvement.
Operating a boat with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .08 or higher is against both federal and Minnesota law.
Alcohol can impair a boater’s judgment, balance, vision and reaction time. It can increase fatigue and susceptibility to the effects of cold-water immersion.
Sun, wind, noise, vibration and motion – “stressors” common to the boating environment – intensify the side effects of alcohol, drugs and some medications.
Alcohol consumption can result in an inner ear disturbance that can make it impossible for a person suddenly immersed in water to distinguish up from down.
Impairment can be even more dangerous for boaters than for drivers, since most boaters have less experience and confidence operating a boat than they do driving a car. Minnesota boaters average only about 60 hours of boating per year.
A three-year field evaluation by the Southern California Research Institute recently validated a battery of tests for marine use that are now the basis for efforts to implement a National Marine Field Sobriety Test standard.
Combined with chemical tests using blood, breath and urine samples, these validated ashore and afloat tests give marine law enforcement officers an impressive arsenal in their ongoing efforts to enforce BUI laws.
Persons found to be Boating Under the Influence can expect to incur severe penalties. If a boat operator is BUI, the voyage may be terminated, the boat may be impounded and the operator may be arrested. Penalties can include fines, jail time, loss of motorboat operating privileges, and under some circumstances, the forfeiture of the boat and trailer.
In addition to the above penalties, persons who refuse testing will also be subject to a separate and more severe criminal charge for refusal and loss of their motorboat operating privileges for one year.
Alcohol is also dangerous for passengers. Intoxication can lead to slips, falls overboard and other dangerous accidents.
It is illegal in every state and territory to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Most deaths among boaters are caused by falls overboard and capsizing. In a small boat, a boater has to resist the urge to stand up. Those who must move around should keep their weight low and close to the center of the boat. And, it should go without saying that a boater should wear their personal flotation device.

Officials say that in nearly three-quarters of the fatal accidents, 88% of victims were not wearing life jackets.

To be prepared take some time and take the Boat safety course and exam. Also make sure to review the Minnesota Boating Guide. The water can be fun , but as many of my fellow Injuryboard members have pointed out, it can be deadly.

Originally posted at The Legal Examiner by Mike Bryant