Quote:
Originally Posted by MTI
NTSB Report on Accident
Probable Cause
The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the initial Gray Summit collision was distraction, likely due to a text messaging conversation being conducted by the GMC pickup driver, which resulted in his failure to notice and react to a Volvo tractor that had slowed or stopped in response to a queue that had developed in a work zone. The second collision, between the lead school bus and the GMC pickup, was the result of the bus driver's inattention to the forward roadway, due to excessive focus on a motorcoach parked on the shoulder of the road. The final collision was due to the driver of the following school bus not maintaining the recommended minimum distance from the lead school bus in the seconds preceding the accident. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the lack of forward collision warning systems on the two school buses.
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With typical following distances............even if they are reasonably proper ............say 150 feet for 50 mph...........the driver has virtually no chance of stopping safely if the vehicle ahead comes to an instantaneous dead stop.
All reasonably following distances go right out the window in this scenario. There are no brake lights on the forward vehicle and the driver would need a minimum of one second to react. Stopping the vehicle in 100 feet........at 50 mph..........would be a serious challenge for an excellent driver.