Tragic Bus Accident Should Draw Attention to Increase in Moped use on Roadways
By now, many people across Indiana have sadly learned of the heartbreaking school bus accident that occurred last Friday on U.S. 24 west of Logansport, that claimed the lives of four young special-needs students. At the time of the accident, the Twin Lakes School Corporation bus was in route from Logansport to Monticello after the school day had ended.
Wndu.com reported that the accident was caused after an eastbound dump truck on U.S. 24 quickly swerved into the westbound lane to avoid colliding with a moped making a left-hand turn into a driveway. As the dump truck swerved into the westbound lane, it collided with the school bus, sending it over on its side and into the eastbound lane. The school bus was then struck in its hood by a second dump truck following in the eastbound lane.
Mopeds and moter scooters have become increasingly popular in the last year due to our country's current fuel crisis and the rising gas prices that have resulted. Many mopeds and motor scooters gain over 100 miles per gallon of fuel, which makes them an attractive alternative to driving SUVs and four-door sedans. However, being that they are physically smaller means of transportation, mopeds and motor scooters provide additional safety concerns on our roadways. In most cases, mopeds and scooters are smaller than motorcycles and do not have the loud exhaust that alerts automobile and truck drivers to the presence of a motorcycle. As mopeds and motor scooters become a more and more familar sight on our roadways, it is necessary that all drivers take extra precautions in sharing the roadway and preventing accidents.
