Bus driver accident protection (or the lack of it..)

[Jeremy]

There was a comment in a thread in the Projects section the other day from someone planning to add more metal to the front of his bus in an effort to give a bit more protection to the driver in case of an accident. It's a point well made, as demonstrated by this story from the BBC website today about a low-speed accident between two double-deckers which has left people with 'life-threatening' injuries:



Two buses crash in Brighton city centre

Two double-decker buses have crashed into each other in a city centre, leaving two people with life-threatening injuries.

The collision happened just after 09:20 BST in North Street, Brighton, close to the clock tower, Sussex Police said.

Three others have been seriously injured, a spokesman for the force said.

Drivers have been advised to avoid the city centre by police, who have declared it a major incident.

The spokesman said: "In addition to those seriously injured, six to eight people are understood to be 'walking wounded' with minor injuries.

"A walk-in centre for anyone injured has been set up at the top of Queen's Road near the railway station."



Driver 'stuck in seat'

Aaron Tierney, who lives just above where the crash happened, said: "I heard a big bang and looked out the window to see two buses crashed into each other.

"I could see the driver of one of the buses stuck in his seat. There were a lot of people around him, including ambulance services. They had to cut him out.

"One of the other bus drivers looked really upset.

"I saw a few other people, mainly elderly, being helped off the bus.

"People were bringing out chairs and water for them from the shops nearby."



The Kent, Surrey and Sussex air ambulance landed next to Brighton Pavilion. A seriously injured patient was treated by the onboard doctor and paramedic before being taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

South East Coast Ambulance said in total seven patients had been taken to the Royal Sussex, and a further six patients taken to the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.

A spokesman said another 10 patients had been treated at the scene and did not require hospital treatment.

Martin Harris, managing director of Brighton and Hove Buses, said an investigation was under way.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-33406558

[Jon]

I don't think it is as easy as adding more structure because that creates other problems.

Our car safety has been enhanced by having crushable structures to absorb the shock of the impact because it was determined the instantaneous stopping in an accident as a result of a non-yielding structure was responsible for a lot of injuries. Now we sacrifice the vehicles, letting them absorb the impact to protect the occupants.

If anyone has ever been on or seen the "sled" a lot of state police use to teach the safety of a seat belt you will know an instantaneous stop from as little as 5 MPH hurts, even with the use of a seat belt.

I can imagine if structure is added and it is sufficient to resist front end crushing, the instantaneous stop in a collision is going send the coach interior flying forward, and it may turn out to be a greater danger than from the front. The best and most effective solution is to put down the cell phone, don't mess with the GPS or radio, and drive defensively. In fact drive as though anything you hit is going to hurt you.

BTW, the morons are really out to get you.

[uncle ned]

If you have ever had a air bag go off in front of you.  You will know what a instantaneous stop is.

uncle ned

[Darkspeed]

I think that was me talking about adding some additional steel to the dash of the 4106 because the OEM 4106 driver protection consists of the addition of a 1/4 plate of aluminum.

[Gary LaBombard]

I just have to interject my thoughts on this thread, (who would of thunk it eh?) but here is information I may need to post two comments on to get photos I wish for you to view and consider, especially if your bus if of early vintage and manufactured similar to the Eagles front end.

Here are a few photos of a major bus accident that one of our busnut suppliers had a few years ago.  My bus is the same year as his, (1973 05 Eagle).  Dan Murphy of Florida lost both of his legs because of issues I believe were similar to mine which I will also include photos of.  So I don't get this confusing here are photos of Dan's bus bus after his accident.

[Gary LaBombard]

Here are photos of MY bus when the skin was removed for you to think about as well.  I doubt that If I had a collision of a flock of Love Bugs in Fl I would survive!  BUT, all this information is just that, no suggestion you have to do as I have done but for you to think about what is actually up front on your bus to protect you.  Just think what would happen if even a DEER ran in front of me with this protection!!  Here are photos without skin and before I modified my front end crash reinforcement.  I will take my chances with my front end changes with a crash and a sudden stop in place of sudden death!!

Let me know if I am out of line here with this information.  I expect flack as usual but any safety issues I find on my bus I try to pass on to you for your consideration to inspect for and that is the only reason I do this.
Gary

[Gary LaBombard]

Here is what I did to my 73 Eagle and I guarantee 99% of buses of this year Eagle vintage if not garage kept will have these issues.

[Gary LaBombard]

Just a couple more photos of finished modification I choose to do on my bus.

[Darkspeed]

Awesome Work Gary! Love the triangles!

[Darkspeed]

This is why a 4106 would not be highly survivable.. there is nothing there except the 1/4 aluminum plate reinforcement.

[moosemanusa]

I use to buy my lunch on that road, worked up the street..

The driving in that town can be a little crazy, the bus drivers think those are WRC rally cars!