There are many reasons people choose to take a bus when traveling across the county. For some, the decision to take a commercial carrier is for financial reasons. Others like to see the country but do not want to drive. Whatever the reason, when one decides to take a bus they are entrusting their safety with the driver. Passengers assume they will reach their destination free from harm.

A bus accident occurred last weekend in Pennsylvania, injuring 14. The journey the commercial carrier was involved in originated in New York City and was on the way to St. Louis. It was on the Philadelphia to Columbus, Ohio, leg of the trip when the accident occurred.

Early Saturday morning, the bus was traveling in the passing lane on a highway near the Pennsylvania Turnpike's Lebanon-Lancaster exit when the driver reportedly lost control. This caused the bus to hit a barrier, lifting the back end. The bus continued forward, crossing the other lanes before driving up an embankment and flipping. The bus landed on its left side.

As is the case in any motor vehicle accident, there are many potential causes including driving under the influence or driving more hours than is allowed. Neither of these appears to be factors in this accident. The bus company is investigating the crash including checking the GPS system installed in the bus.

The 24-year-old bus driver has been with the commercial carrier since March. This was his first accident while with the company. According to state Trooper Glenn Fields, the driver who has received positive evaluations on his performance since starting with the company, was cited for causing a commercial vehicle to overturn and for not staying in his lane.

Though 14 people were injured in the accident, fortunately, none of the injuries were serious. All were able to continue on to their destinations.

Source

The Miami Herald: "Driver cited in Pa. bus crash that injured 14," Patrick Walters, Aug. 15, 2011