As adults, we are constantly urging and encouraging the children in our lives to do their best in every endeavor.
Be it academics, athletics or family and personal relationships, we tell them no one can expect any more than their best effort.
And we should expect no less than the best from the people who have taken on the responsibility of educating -- and transporting -- our children. That's why a school bus safety report released last week by state police was particularly disturbing.
Tpr. William Coddington of the Belle Vernon barracks, who conducted bus inspections prior to the start of school, said there has been progress in correcting safety violations, but added there is much more work to be done.
Coddington inspected buses that carry students to Belle Vernon Area, Elizabeth Forward, Charleroi Area, Ringgold and Monessen schools.
Pointing out that districts are given at least two months notice of the inspections, Coddington said he found the number of violations "alarming."
The state trooper conducts initial inspections early in the summer and returns in mid-August to make sure problems have been corrected.
Last year, 58 of 379 buses failed in the five school districts. This year, 59 of 385 were tagged.
In addition to minor violations such as broken tail lights and poor floor conditions, he found more serious violations involving exhaust systems. "Tail lights you have to put up with, but when you're dealing with exhaust systems and steering systems, they shouldn't be wrong," Coddington said.
While the total number of violations dropped from 240 to 176 between the two inspection periods, those figures could certainly be better. We hope that next year's report shows drastic improvement.
Because when it comes to the safety of our children, nothing but the best effort is acceptable.
