(Photos courtesy of Nation News & Barbados Today)
“Our minibuses are badly designed. They are difficult to control and are far too unstable for a vehicle transporting our loved ones.”
Another minibus driver loses control – “5 critical, 4 severe”
Can the Barbados government deny the truth any longer? Our minibuses are poorly engineered, top-heavy death traps that are inherently unstable even when only half full.
How many more similar accidents do we need to see before we do something to correct the problem? How many more dead and injured will it require?
37 injured in Minibus tip-over in 2012
“Another day, another horrific traffic accident with lives, faces and families ruined.
You’re looking at an overturned minibus on Pinders Bottom Main Road in St. George. Thirty seven people hurt with 5 critically injured.”
From the March 15, 2012 BFP story Another mass casualty bus accident: 37 injured, 5 critical
The minibuses are involved in way too many tip-overs, but even when they stay on their wheels they sway badly and the drivers often struggle to maintain control. You see it happening! How often have you seen minibuses veer over the road center? It’s an everyday happening and so common that drivers know to keep an eye on an oncoming minibus and move over a little bit just in case something happens.
How many minibus accidents are caused by the poor handling, even if the bus doesn’t tip over? I’d bet there are plenty. Yes, speed and recklessness are factors as is poor maintenance – but speed and maintenance alone cannot account for the slaughter. There is something wrong with the buses.
In aviation, there comes a time when you have to stop blaming the pilots and start blaming a bad airplane. Continue reading
