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Airless in Mississippi
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 18, 2004 - 11:05 pm: | |
Dozens Injured in Ill. Highway Bus Crash
MARION, Ill. (AP) - A tour bus taking people home from a charity event in Chicago ran off a highway in southern Illinois and rolled onto its side when the driver turned around to talk to a passenger, authorities said. Dozens were injured, none critically.
The bus was en route from Chicago to Holly Springs, Miss., with 48 people Sunday night when it struck a guardrail on Interstate 57, slid nearly 70 feet down an embankment and landed on its side, said Robert Ventura, a state police accident reconstructionist.
The driver was distracted by a passenger who moved into the seat behind him as he was driving through a construction zone, said Illinois State Police Capt. Charles Mays. The passenger ``asked him a question and the driver turned around to talk to him,'' Mays said.
The driver, Albert Miller, 68, of Rossville, Tenn., was cited for improper lane usage. Authorities say there was no indication drugs or alcohol were involved.
Thirty-seven people, including the bus driver, were treated at hospitals and released, State Police Master Sgt. Barry Stricklin said Monday. Stricklin said six other passengers, including two children, were hospitalized. The most seriously injured was a 6-year-old girl who suffered a broken pelvis.
Ventura said investigators had yet to examine the bus to determine if mechanical problems contributed to the crash. Weather did not play a role, he said.
Authorities said the passengers were residents of Tennessee and Mississippi returning home from a cancer fund-raiser in Chicago organized by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.
Authorities said the bus was operated by Mary's Travel & Tour Service of Rossville, Tenn. A woman who answered the phone at the company declined comment Monday.
A similar accident involving a Chicago-based charter bus killed 14 people and injured 16 on Oct. 9. That bus overturned on Interstate 55 in northeastern Arkansas en route to casinos in Tunica, Miss.
© Copyright The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained In this news report may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
10/18/2004 18:36 |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 18, 2004 - 11:21 pm: | |
Driving through construction sites--
When we drove through several areas on I80 where they "Narrowed Up" the lanes for construction, at 60mph I had the cold sweats getting through it.
My wife started to talk to me and I "Requested" she hold the conversation until we got through the construction.
A couple more coats of paint and we wouldn't have got through it.
Gary |
busone
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 12:01 am: | |
Where about on I80? We were on I80 Near the Nebraska Wyoming line and the wind was blowing like a hurricane. We passed through several construction sites and the tractor trailer in front of us was blown into some of the orange barrels on the side of the road. He took out about 10 of those things. It felt like the lanes must have narrowed down to 10' or less. It was some wind/dust storm we went through. |
John Rigbyj
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 6:45 am: | |
We have 10 miles of same on I-10 east of Beamount Texas. They call it the tunnel. Two lanes barracades, very dangerous with people driving 70 mph. lots of accidents. If you happen to travel it you can take the feeder and avoid the tunnel.
John |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 9:20 am: | |
busone--
That was one of them.
there was one at the west end of wyoming and I think one in Nebraska too.
I can't remember where it was, but I mowed down about 10 of thse things myself, but not the barrels--the post things.
the boneheads made the lane too narrow, seemed like less than 8'.
Gary |
Tim Hoskinson (Tdh37514151)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 11:14 am: | |
I'm with Gary when I go through a construction site I tell the wife and kids its quiet time in the vehicle until we get out of the site. And for those who have no respect for their lives or anyone elses who get behind me while going through construction sites of one lane get use to traveling the posted speed limit! I refuse to die and kill my family because others think that they are so important they must be somewhere one or two minutes sooner. |
TWO DOGS
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 11:23 am: | |
most construction sites have signs posted..TRAFFIC FINES DOUBLE...so...pay attention to posted speed limits.. |
TWO DOGS
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 11:27 am: | |
I realllly hate to see articles like this...they are going to start looking CLOSELY at people driveing buses..both these drivers were old...it would be a shame to have our hobby nipped in the bud.... |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 11:51 am: | |
The one time that really freaked me out we were rolling merrily along at about 60mph and suddenly, without warning, traffic doglegged into the left lane, Here I am at 60mph, pulling a 5K# car on a trailer.
Something TD said about pucker marks comes to mind.
Gary |
CoryDane RTSII
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 12:35 pm: | |
I thought that was something about a "PUCKER FACTOR" rated from 1 to 100. LOL Yup!
Well 2Dogs, If they ban conversions, you can always use it as a cabin off of an interstate, LOL.
I've always been concerned when bus accidents are reported so frequently. The press always looks for the worst of the accident and seems to blow it out of proportions makine the rags readers siding against us. The government is influenced by the tax payers who have the biggest moan (like here on the board) and make laws, needed or not.
there have been too many bad accidents, most from professional drivers, and don't think the ruling bodies aren't looking at that fact as well. It would be easy for these idiots to think that if a professional driver cannot control the bus, what chance of a non-pro driver ( BUSNUT ) to drive well?
Well, I guess I look at both sides and since I have a nervous nature, get a bit concerned. But for now, I need more caffeen before I think more aout this.
" Pucker Factor - 10 "
cd |
John that irateguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 12:54 pm: | |
I just paid $120 more for insurance for the "conversion shell", than
I had been paying for insurance on one of the RVs. from GMAC.
They claim that there's greater liability risks with a "bus type";
you can do more damage with a "bus type" than a standard RV.
They do not take into consideration that 99% of all RVs are
over their rated maximum weight when used by their owner.
The RVs are inherently built and designed to conform narrowly
within the chassis manufacturer's specifications and usually exceed
that rating once loaded with any of the normal travel items that
any RVr would use (water, food, clothing, accessories, people)
A "bus" on the other hand, is built to exceed normal expectations
regarding weight. It accounts in excess for total loading with passengers
(including standees); the weight of each occupants is considered
incidental, and accounts for all luggage, both carry-on and
bay stored (regardless of weight/incidental). The bus type is
built to stop and be managed, whether fully loaded to all exceptions,
or empty.
Yet...... They feel the "bus" presents more of a hazard and
consequential liability.
Go figure.... |
TWO DOGS
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 1:20 pm: | |
go somewhere else & tell them it's a motorhome..
I pay 300 a year for liability |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 8:07 pm: | |
Duh....
Same here.
$150/6mo
Gary |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 9:37 pm: | |
And the companies are: ___________________
By the way, I had four quotes, all were higher than GMAC.
This is for liability only, GMAC won't do collision for a converted unit.
The amount I have is enough to pay for a few cars full of doctors and
lawyers, if and when I decide to roll over their roofs. |
TWO DOGS
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 9:41 pm: | |
STATE FARM |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 9:42 pm: | |
I'll call 'em in the AM. Tks, bubba. |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 9:45 pm: | |
Progressive.
You NEVER Say converted bus.
You say COACH, RV, or Motorhome, but NEVER the "B" word.
If they call you on it, it's a "Professional" conversion. This is the sticky part though, because if you say this and you ever NEED your insurance, they have a loophole.
As for me, I'm not worried about that because of my background in the industry.
Gary |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 10:13 pm: | |
It's registered and titled (Florida) as a "motorcoach". That's Florida's
terminology for a "bus type" motorhome. When I called each place
for insurance, I only told 'em it was an "1979 MCI motorhome".
They said they had no make or model that type, and wrote it up
as a conversion.
I may be now caught up in the data loop. Once they've got the
information into the data base, every damned company I call will
likely get the same info when they look at the record.
Thanks for the info Gary.. I'll give 'em a call tomorrow and see
what they have to say. |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 10:16 pm: | |
Is it already converted?
Honestly Progressive didn't grill me on it.
Just tell them you're a rockstar...um...er...maybe not.
Gary |
TWO DOGS
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 10:21 pm: | |
works for me |
John tng
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 10:31 pm: | |
I'll tell 'em I'm "Gearhead's brother". |
gearheadJohn
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 10:32 pm: | |
"Gearheadlarry" |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 10:33 pm: | |
Um...might not help yer case.
Gary |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 10:42 pm: | |
Keep your day job |
Jtng
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - 8:28 am: | |
Reminds me of that big bus crash in Poland a few years back...
Went off the road, down an embankment and finally landed upside down
in a cemetery. They reported hundreds had died and they were still
digging up bodies two months after... |
Doug Dickinson (Dougd470)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 26, 2004 - 12:42 pm: | |
I was shopping for insurance and when I called Progressive, they told be they didn't insure bus conversions of any type. I called RVIA and they wrote a Progressive policy for agreed value on collision. They understand it is a work in progress via photos I sent at their request.
That's what happened in Missouri.
Doug
St Louis MC9 |