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Another Example of the True Cost of Coal
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From the "Thank Goodness it Wasn't Worse" department:
On Thursday morning a school bus with a 60-70 students from elementary to high school age ran off the road while trying to avoid an on coming coal truck. The school bus traveling on Route 1499 in Pike County near the community of Biggs, slid off the road and scrapped a rock cliff next to the road.
The police reported up to 20 students were take to the hospital for minor injuries. The bus driver blamed the on coming coal truck, wet road conditions and mud on the road for accident.
You can read about the report on wlex18 website and watch the video news cast. You can also see a picture of the accident by visiting the Appalachian News Express website.
A quick search of the state Department of Mining Reclamation and Enforcement website under the interactive maps shows that there are about 35 active mines and 20 pending mine sites within a 2-3 mile radius of the community of Biggs. I can only wonder how many coal trucks are traveling daily on the curvy two lane road, route 1499.
The accident happened at about 8:00 AM on Thursday morning.
We are truly grateful this accident was not worse.
Re: WOW - What a stretch
Posted by
Kevin Pentz
at
March-28-2009 12:13 PM
Todd, sorry you feel that way. However, it was the school bus driver who reported that she/he was trying to avoid an on coming coal truck and slid off the road, not me. And one of the most common complaints we hear from people in eastern Kentucky is that the roads are muddy and dust from the dirt carried onto the roads from coal trucks. And it is true there are lots of active and proposed coal mines in this area.
One community we worked with in Harlan County calculated that a coal truck went by their homes once every two minutes, six days a week. And that was just from two mines. And this was on a small two lane road, really it was about a lane and a half.
Like it or not having hundreds of coal trucks running full tilt on the narrow roads of eastern Kentucky is a cost of coal. And unfortunately most truckers are paid by the ton so they are encouraged to drive fast and haul heavy loads. It use to be that coal companies owned the trucks and paid the drivers by the hour, but it was Golden Oak Coal Co, owned by Mr. Bill Sturgill, that first decided to cut costs by contracting out the trucking of the coal. This in effect lessened his company costs, but shifted those costs onto the people of eastern Kentucky in the form of more dangerous roads.
We have members who live in Pike County and they have children who ride the school busses there, I trust them to know the coast of coal trucks running on the same roads as their children's busses.
One community we worked with in Harlan County calculated that a coal truck went by their homes once every two minutes, six days a week. And that was just from two mines. And this was on a small two lane road, really it was about a lane and a half.
Like it or not having hundreds of coal trucks running full tilt on the narrow roads of eastern Kentucky is a cost of coal. And unfortunately most truckers are paid by the ton so they are encouraged to drive fast and haul heavy loads. It use to be that coal companies owned the trucks and paid the drivers by the hour, but it was Golden Oak Coal Co, owned by Mr. Bill Sturgill, that first decided to cut costs by contracting out the trucking of the coal. This in effect lessened his company costs, but shifted those costs onto the people of eastern Kentucky in the form of more dangerous roads.
We have members who live in Pike County and they have children who ride the school busses there, I trust them to know the coast of coal trucks running on the same roads as their children's busses.
What? How is it the industries fault?
Posted by
Todd
at
March-28-2009 12:30 PM
Why not place the blame on the truck driver? Or place the blame on the DOT? If the road is not suitable for hauling coal then the DOT is just as responsible as the driver. Im sorry but I fail to see how this is the industries fault.
Let me say this, I fully understand what its like to live in Eastern Kentucky and the cost of coal trucks. Unlike alot of the members from KFTC that I have engaged conversation with, Ive been here my entire life. After the revolutionary war, my ancestors was granted land near the head of the Licking River in Magoffin County. My grandpa moved approx. 7 miles from the old home place to Floyd County. Im the 3rd generation family member to live in his old homeplace and as long as the good lord above sees fit, this will be the place i die. As you can see, I dont have to rely on "members who live here" to tell me anything. Ive lived it!
Let me say this, I fully understand what its like to live in Eastern Kentucky and the cost of coal trucks. Unlike alot of the members from KFTC that I have engaged conversation with, Ive been here my entire life. After the revolutionary war, my ancestors was granted land near the head of the Licking River in Magoffin County. My grandpa moved approx. 7 miles from the old home place to Floyd County. Im the 3rd generation family member to live in his old homeplace and as long as the good lord above sees fit, this will be the place i die. As you can see, I dont have to rely on "members who live here" to tell me anything. Ive lived it!
Re: What? How is it the industries fault?
Posted by
Kevin Pentz
at
March-28-2009 01:08 PM
Todd, I'm glad to hear your family history goes back so far living in one area and that you are proud of that history. I think that perspective is becoming more and more rare.
My point is less about this one terrible accident and more about the many problems caused by such a heavy volume of coal trucks running on the roads of eastern Kentucky and the wear and tear that has on the roads and the mud and dust that creates safety hazards.
When I refer to our members who live in eastern Kentucky it is because, as you know, I live in Richmond. I lived for about seven years in several counties in eastern Kentucky, hardly enough for me to call myself a resident. But many of our members, like you have families that go back several several generations living in the same area. Like you, I think this gives them a unique perspective on life in eastern Kentucky. I can only rely on listening to and learning from their perspectives, but I do trust them.
My point is less about this one terrible accident and more about the many problems caused by such a heavy volume of coal trucks running on the roads of eastern Kentucky and the wear and tear that has on the roads and the mud and dust that creates safety hazards.
When I refer to our members who live in eastern Kentucky it is because, as you know, I live in Richmond. I lived for about seven years in several counties in eastern Kentucky, hardly enough for me to call myself a resident. But many of our members, like you have families that go back several several generations living in the same area. Like you, I think this gives them a unique perspective on life in eastern Kentucky. I can only rely on listening to and learning from their perspectives, but I do trust them.
glad all is okay
Posted by
F
at
March-28-2009 10:00 PM
I am glad no one got hurt and everyone is okay.like Todd said how can it be coals fault.if there was a car plant or something else that produce a high flow of trucks would it be that industry fault.everytime a truck and auto is envoled it is always said to be the trucker fault.ever had a car pull out in front of you and you barly miss it.these truck may have 18 wheel but they dont stop on a dime like everyone thinks they do.having moved a lot of equipment in the past i have seen autos pull out after the flag car went by in between him and the low boy.just because someone drives a coal truck dont make him bad.if we have bad driver alert the law officer and then make sure he dont get off scott free in court.its like the coal industry better enforcement of the laws we have instead of stopping things
Scool Buses ran off road
Posted by
PC
at
April-26-2009 12:16 AM
I gotta say most of what I have read has been "tripe" at best! I have driven trucks up and down the roads everyday where roads have been very small for a large school bus,or even a delivery van,but with caution we manage. All drivers I have been running with have the greatest reguards for school buses,among other types of vehicles. So far what I have read has been distorted so far out it is outrageous at best.Sure,there is that one time that a fatality could happen. But,God has a big world to keep spinning,sometimes it spinns out of control and a colision does happen. My heart goes out for those lives lost,but don't crusify everyone.It is life and things do happen. I pray everyday before pulling the park break off. Do you?
What is really more dangerious,that "yuppy mom" in her "suv or mini-van" driving at a rolling stop through a red light in front of a loaded truck while she is still managing to talk/gossip on her cell phone,or some even putting on make-up,while taking the kids to school. No joke!! When the coin is turned over it is sad to own up to a life style that leaves no room for an industry such as trucking,coal or dry freight. The world is a big place,get used to it. Keep your cell phones in your pocket,make up in the cases,your kids in the seats buckeled up and shut up not to distract that "kept woman" in the driver's seat gossuping about who is sleeping with whom while dropping the kids at school,so she can run the roads. That one staying at home would make a big difference on the amount of traffic on the roads.Yes,and the tight time lines on the school buses,making bus drivers run like mad to get back for that second run before going to class if he/she happens to be doubling as a teacher/driver. Why don't you do your share to help a person have a job,do one and not both. I know many who would love to drive a bus!
What is really more dangerious,that "yuppy mom" in her "suv or mini-van" driving at a rolling stop through a red light in front of a loaded truck while she is still managing to talk/gossip on her cell phone,or some even putting on make-up,while taking the kids to school. No joke!! When the coin is turned over it is sad to own up to a life style that leaves no room for an industry such as trucking,coal or dry freight. The world is a big place,get used to it. Keep your cell phones in your pocket,make up in the cases,your kids in the seats buckeled up and shut up not to distract that "kept woman" in the driver's seat gossuping about who is sleeping with whom while dropping the kids at school,so she can run the roads. That one staying at home would make a big difference on the amount of traffic on the roads.Yes,and the tight time lines on the school buses,making bus drivers run like mad to get back for that second run before going to class if he/she happens to be doubling as a teacher/driver. Why don't you do your share to help a person have a job,do one and not both. I know many who would love to drive a bus!
coal and bus and others
Posted by
Mrs J.
at
May-09-2009 09:21 PM
It could have been worse,lucky this time.
I drive a school bus in Magoffin Co., along side cars and trucks
and coal trucks. Lets see ..#1 roads not wide enough #2 drives of all kinds this includes the coal truck driver,using the cell
phone;#3 driver trying to read the paper or map,I've not see a coal truck driver do this yet;#4 woman driver doing makeup, taking rollings out of her hair;#5 man driver shaving his face,he should keep it, I like a beard on a man. What else,if we all drove the speed limit,remember the driving rules and done them each day,there would be less trouble on the road.
I drive a school bus in Magoffin Co., along side cars and trucks
and coal trucks. Lets see ..#1 roads not wide enough #2 drives of all kinds this includes the coal truck driver,using the cell
phone;#3 driver trying to read the paper or map,I've not see a coal truck driver do this yet;#4 woman driver doing makeup, taking rollings out of her hair;#5 man driver shaving his face,he should keep it, I like a beard on a man. What else,if we all drove the speed limit,remember the driving rules and done them each day,there would be less trouble on the road.
WOW- What a stretch
However, this is a new low for KFTC, trying to put the blame on the coal industry. That is Pathetic Kevin! Should I try and put the blame on the auto industry for an accident that claimed the life of my best friend? My god, how can Detroit keep producing this huge hunks of metal that continue to kill and injure people on a daily basis! Maybe it wasnt the auto industry, maybe I could put the blame on the Department of Transportation for not making the road more straight.
Ive seen alot of questionable content posted in regards to the coal industry, but this takes the cake. Does anyone else not have a problem with this?