Dinwiddie Schools reports 'minor' bus accident

Oct. 01--DINWIDDIE -- Dinwiddie County Public Schools reported that a "minor" bus accident occurred on Monday morning on Courthouse Road.

According to Christie Clarke, director of School & Community Relations, school bus No. 36 was involved in a minor 2-vehicle accident at 7:15 a.m. There were 23 middle and high school students on board the bus. The school bus was traveling south on Courthouse Road when the bus and a truck collided mirrors.

There were no injuries reported by the bus driver, students or the driver of the other vehicle. A substitute bus was dispatched to continue the route and transport students to school.

The Virginia State Police were on scene and no charges were filed.

Over the past year, there have been more than several accidents involving school buses in Dinwiddie, though none of the accidents have resulted in any serious injuries. Clarke notes that safety is a top priority for Dinwiddie County Public Schools, and in August, many drivers received training from their insurance carrier on defensive driving.

The Director of Transportation, Edward Tucker, also talks with the drivers regularly about driving hazards, including driving on narrow roads.

"Driving on narrow roads is definitely a factor when driving a bus in rural areas such as Dinwiddie," Clarke said.