So, I'm driving my afternoon route today, and had only dropped off four kids. I still had quite a busload, as I hadn't gotten to my "biggest" drop-off point. I was driving along a County Road (thank goodness it was a blacktop road and not one of the many dirt roads I drive!), when I was about 1/4 mile from my next rural stop. The student had started walking to the front of the bus (as the older ones are supposed to do -- and then sit in a seat near the front until I actually stop at their house), and I spotted a HUGE buck on my left running hell-bent for leather through a recently chopped cornfield right toward the bus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My first thought was about the student walking forward. I was worried about him doing a header all the way to the front of the bus because I had to hit the brakes. I hollered "HOLD ON!", not once, but TWICE! As the buck is still running toward us, I'm on the brakes (keep in mind, I was only doing about 45 mph at the time), but I'm worried about the kids getting hurt from stopping too quickly, and the boy walking to the front, AND hitting the deer! Yikes! All this is going through my head in the three seconds this was all happening!
None of the kids really realized what was going on yet. They knew I was stopping quickly, but didn't know why. As I had the bus slowed and the buck ran in front of the bus, barely a FOOT from the front, knowing I wasn't going to hit it, I said "Jesus Christ Almighty.". Apparently, I said it louder than I thought, because THAT was what made the rest of the kids look up to see what was going on, all the way to the back of the bus!
The buck ran in front of the bus and continued running through the field to my right, while all the kids were watching and commenting on how HUGE it was. I'm telling you, this buck was HUGE! The antlers on it were INCREDIBLE! This was absolutely the BIGGEST deer I've ever seen that was not in a zoo!
After making sure everyone was OK, I continued on my route and dropped off the young man who had been walking to the front of the bus. The kids told me that he was about bent in half from my hitting the brakes, so he WAS close to landing on the floor of the bus!
Later in the route, of course, the discussion continued around the deer. I had a bunch of kids chuckling at me for my choice of words! Apparently, they were quite surprised at what I said. I looked at them in the mirror and said "I didn't swear!" They all agreed, but I guess were quite surprised that I didn't! One 17 year old said, "I would have at least expected a 'holy $h*t!'" !! LOL! I told them that I was simply having a religious moment! They thought that was awesome! Frankly, I'm surprised that I didn't use a four-letter word!
More conversation ensued, and we all talked about the HUGE rack on the buck, and who would get it. Of course, it would have been MINE! LOL
I still can't believe how close that deer came to being splattered all over the front of the bus. I have no idea how bad a school bus vs. deer accident could be, and I've no doubt that had I hit that big of a deer, I'd not be writing this tonight as I'd be in the hospital. I'm glad I saw it in time and that magnificent creature is safe in the woods, at least for now and that all "my" kids got home safe and sound.
Hope everyone had a less exciting day!
Julie
* This post was
edited 11/10/09 08:14pm by Mrs. Mik *
Quote: I still can't believe how close that deer came to being splattered all over the front of the bus. I have no idea how bad a school bus vs. deer accident could be
That depends. If he's on the ground and you don't lose control, not so bad. If he jumps right as you hit him and he goes through the window then really bad.
Even though black tail are smaller, they bound more and go through the window more often and that is a LOT worse.
I think I'm a little surprised you didn't swear, as well. I sure would have done, I'm sure. Anyway glad to hear you, the deer, and the kids are all okay.
Rescue Remedy, besides the spray which has brandy in it as a preservative, (not something you'd want to use on duty, just in case someone smelled it and got the wrong idea) also comes in an alcohol-free spray or in lozenges. I never leave home without at least one form of it and usually both in my purse. Very nice to have after an incident like that.
Matthew, the deer was "bounding" because he was running, so I don't know what the end result would have been. I drive a "flat front" bus, so I don't have the engine in front of me to "protect" me, so to speak. There's little space between the front of the bus and me, so I was a tad bit concerned. I'm going to have to talk more to our safety director about the effect of deer on flat front school buses.
Susan, I don't think anyone was more shocked than ME that I didn't swear! LOL!
I never heard of Rescue Remedy. I looked it up and it sounds pretty cool! I do take B-Complex daily, and depending on my stress levels, take more as needed. I took a bunch when I got home tonight! LOL
My hands were definitely shaking, and my heart was pounding, but I didn't want the kids to freak out (I have kids from 4-year old kindergarten all the way up to seniors in high school on my bus), so I just took a couple deep breaths and kept on going.
Rescue Remedy is... something I'm living on these days. But aside from that it is a multi-purpose thing that is useful for animals and people both. I highly recommend having it on hand. It is more "in the moment" than b-vitamins, and works quickly to restore jangled nerves after a shock.
Julie, thank goodness you and your kids are all ok. I am sure I would have come up with a string of 4 letter words...lol. I once hit a deer on the way to taking my middle son and his friend to a hunters saftey course and it landed in the drive way of A John Deere dealership. Tore the heck out of my car.
It sounds like you passed that schoolbus driver's test with flying colors, and nobody is going to complain because you uttered a spontaneous "thanks" to the Almighty for sparing you and the kids (and the deer.) However, if it was me, I might rethink the part about having the kids move forward while the bus is in motion. That just seems like asking for problems in any kind of braking or swerving emergency. The few extra seconds it saves at a stop doesn't seem worth it. Congrats on keeping your cool, although I'm sure your adrenaline was pumping for a good while afterwards.
Judy
Mrs. Mik wrote: Matthew, the deer was "bounding" because he was running, so I don't know what the end result would have been.
The black tailed deer found up and down the west coast don't have a run. They move in giant leaps. Quite different than the deer in the rest of the country.
I've had one clear my car. I ended up with hoof marks on the hood but other than that there was no contact.
The student had started walking to the front of the bus (as the older ones are supposed to do -- and then sit in a seat near the front until I actually stop at their house),
Glad no one was hurt but kids should not be up and about in the bus while it's in motion, rural area or not. Seems to me the rules set up a dangerous situation in two ways-first, you have the obvious-if you slam the brakes the kid goes flying. 2nd, your FULL attention should be on avoiding the obstacle in the road and/or minimizing any impact, not having to worry about someone who might be standing up. I would suggest you contact whoever makes the rules and tell them this one puts the kids' welfare in jeopardy.
I think you handled the deer situation beautifully and what's a few choice words between friends? LOL. I would not have a child walk while a bus was in motion period. That isn't safe.
I realize people walk in moving motorhomes and probably shouldn't, but a child on a bus is a different case.
I'm surprised that practice is legal, to be honest.
Pat
May the road rise with you, the wind be always at your back.
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