On January 23, a Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus crashed into a pole on Chicago Avenue, resulting in injuries to 15 people, including 13 bus passengers. The accident occurred when the bus driver lost control of the vehicle due to ice on the road and veered into oncoming traffic. In an attempt to avoid a collision with any other vehicles, the driver rapidly changed direction and ultimately collided with a street pole. While no passengers were killed in the accident, injuries to the 13 riders were severe enough to require hospitalization. For users of Chicago-area public transit, the collision served as a stirring reminder that accidents do occur while riding on public transportation.
Bus Accidents in the United States
While the vast majority of Americans believe they are entirely safe while utilizing public transportation, bus accidents are actually quite common in the U.S. According to studies conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), around 225 Americans were killed in bus accidents in 2016. In the 10-year span from 2006-16, intercity transit bus accidents accounted for 13 percent of all fatal bus accidents across the country.
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