INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Following a traffic crash involving a GoLine bus and an 80-year-old woman this week that sent 11 people to hospitals, new questions have been raised about seniors driving as well as about bus safety practices.
On Monday, a van collided with the rear of a GoLine bus on 37th Street near 17th Avenue just down the road from Indian River Medical Center.
The van’s driver, identified as 80-year-old Helena Hayes, told authorities she saw the bus, but was unable to stop from hitting it.
Of the 16 passengers on the bus, 11 sought treatment. Seven of them were loaded onto back boards and given neck collars as they were transported to Indian River Medical Center.
Four others – “walking wounded” as emergency personnel referred to them – were taken to Sebastian River Medical Center.
The crash prompted a discussion on Facebook why GoLine buses aren’t required to pull off to the side to pick up and drop off passengers, allowing traffic to flow by unhindered.
When a GoLine bus “just stops in front, that forces drivers going 55 mph to either hit the bus or have the car following behind crash into you,” Jean Smith wrote. “Not smart thinking on the bus department.”
Karen Deigl, CEO of Senior Resource Association, which runs GoLine, said it would be nice if buses could pull off to the side, but it’s not possible between narrow and soft roadway shoulders or tight curbing and limited right of way.
“Bus pull-ins only happen when designing a road,” Deigl said.
Metropolitan Planning Organization Staff Director Phil Matson agreed, noting the county is “very constrained” on available rights of way needed to construct special lanes for buses to pull into and out.
“It’s a double-edged sword,” Matson said, explaining that such pull-ins would allow through traffic to continue to move but would also make it difficult for buses to reenter the stream of traffic.
GoLine buses are outfitted with flashing lights that are activated prior to stopping and some have a lighted “Stop” sign to warn drivers following them that a stop is coming.
“We would hope people would exercise caution around the buses,” Matson said.
“We are taking every precaution we can,” Deigl added. The crash also raised questions on re-testing elderly drivers as a condition for letting them maintain their licenses.
Hayes was not immediately cited for the crash.
“Why wouldn’t she be cited?” asked Facebook member Jessica Papcyznski. “She caused an accident that sent 11 people to hospitals! Something is wrong with this picture.”
“There needs to be required testing for drivers over a certain age,” wrote Suzanne Ions.
Deigl encourages family and friends of older drivers to monitor their loved ones’ driving abilities.
“Taking a vehicle away,” Deigl said, “is one of the toughest things to do. That’s taking away independence.”
It can create isolation and anxiety.
GoLine and Community Coach providing seniors the ability to travel to doctor’s appointments, grocery stores and friends’ homes.
“The independence is still there,” Deigl said.
