This one was on 60 minutes. The on ramp is deceptive and not well signed. The bus driver thought he was on the freeway and accelarated to highway speeds. The on-ramp terminates into an intersection. The bus driver did not have time to stop and went over the railing… The GA DOT will be on the hook for this one.
My apologies, as I did incorrectly identify the interstate… It is I-75. Nonetheless, the ramp ends in a “T” intersection that has stop signs on BOTH SIDES. This is an unfortunate result of an inattentive driver. Additionally, only one other vehicle has had a similar accident, in driving over the retaining wall on the far side of the intersection.
I remember seeing the ramp on the news and it’s very confusing. With the extreme amount of traffic and the high speeds on the interstates in Atlanta it’s easy to see how anyone could have been confused on this exit. I agree that someone is going to be on the hook for this one.
There are signs as you are approaching and if you follow the lines of the road then you will proceed down the interstate. The only way to get there is to actively change lanes to the left…
You can claim to be confused by a left exit lane (because that is unusual) but if you follow the signs you know it’s an exit. The bus driver was distracted and the accident was his fault.
Can’t agree with you, Former Atlantan. While I agree that there are signs, that exit ramp is VERY confusing – especially at night. Adding the existence of left lane HOV lanes in Atlanta, that exit ramp is just an invitation for accidents such as the one that occurred to happen. Perhaps you will recall statements of others who have experienced the same issue there. This was not a fluke accident. That ramp is dangerous. If not, why is the DOT looking at options to change it? The government doesn’t like to admit that it is EVER wrong!
Can’t agree with you, Former Atlantan. While I agree that there are signs, that exit ramp is VERY confusing – especially at night. Adding the existence of left lane HOV lanes in Atlanta, that exit ramp is just an invitation for accidents such as the one that occurred to happen. Perhaps you will recall statements of others who have experienced the same issue there. This was not a fluke accident. That ramp is dangerous. If not, why is the DOT looking at options to change it? The government doesn’t like to admit that it is EVER wrong!
This accident was tragic, no doubt. It’s sad that the media is now your conclusive source for liability assessment. You guys should know better. 60 Minutes did not show you how the ramp actually functions. Literally thousands of cars, trucks and busses pass over this ramp thousands of times daily without driving over the retaining wall that is clearly marked with arrows, lines and signs. There is actually very little traffic in the wee (dark) hours when the bus went over the retaining wall onto the highway below. The general Atlanta volume of traffic and speed of the traffic flow had nothing to do with this accident. I drive onto this ramp at least once a month and it is clearly marked. (It is not really even a “ramp,” but an access to the Atlanta perimeter highway, I-285.) It could only have been driver error that caused this accident. Isn’t anyone considering that this driver had driven through the night to get this team to playoffs? That was poor planning by the team, university, bus company and driver. It made for a fatigued driver who made a fatal error. Again, tragic, but the State of Georgia’s “fault?” There’s only ever been one similar accident in that location. That’s not exactly evidence of prior notice or negligent design. And if we’re throwing the State of Georgia into the mix, what about the engineers and architects who designed it? How about the contractors who built it? It appears to be a tragic accident and an attempt to attach any deep pocket remotely available.
I hate this exit ramp! Deep pockets or not this is most asinine ramp I have ever seen in my life. Is it any wonder there aren’t more like it in Atlanta? It’s stupid to begin with and has no viable function as far I am concerned except an accident(s) waiting to happen. SOmeone from out of town could EASILY not know what they’re doing and any native that tired and confused could do the same. Do you know the tally of near misses? No, I don’t think the average Atlantan does. The GA DOT just wanted to try something new and funky and looked where it landed them.
The DOT installed new signage within days of the accident. Further, we were told there were eight (8) previous accidents at that location. “Current Atlantan” claims he drives the area on a monthly basis, but to those of us who mostly stay in the ‘burbs, or who drive through Atlanta only occasionally, it was a very deceiving intersection…not so much any more. And I’ve just realized “Current Atlantan” is making reference to I-285, which has NOTHING to do with the location of this bus accident which took place on 75S at the Northside Drive exit – nowhere near 285. “Current Atlantan”, here’s the story from CNN, which also includes a diagram of the location – perhaps you’ve confused this story with something else. http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/03/02/bus.accident/index.html
It was the worst accident at the I-75 ramp at Northside Drive. But it wasn’t the first.
At least 82 other drivers have crashed at the overpass from which a bus fell early Friday morning, killing four college baseball players, the bus driver and his wife.
Kimberly Smith/Staff Photographer
Emergency workers go over the debris-covered scene on I-75 in Atlanta on Friday after a bus from Ohio took the ramp at Northside Drive but wound up plunging back onto the freeway, killing six people. Some drivers and traffic analysts say this stretch of the highway can mislead drivers and cause them to make sudden mistakes. But state officials say the signs beat federal standards in that regard.
• Bus crash exit has deadly distinction
• Bluffton team will compete this season
• Coach leaves hospital for Ohio home
• Work begins on troubled exit ramp
• Changes planned for exits on left
Forty-eight of the wrecks happened at the top of the ramp, where it runs into Northside Drive, according to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution analysis of Georgia Department of Transportation data collected since 1998. Two people died in the previous crashes.
The National Transportation Safety Board said late Friday it would look at the ramp’s configuration and the signs leading up to it.
There were also stop signs on both sides of the ramp at the top which the driver blew through. It may be a confusing design, but the driver wasn’t paying attention. There wasn’t much traffic at that hour to distract him.
Isn’t it just like our fellow Americans to want to transfer blame for their own negligence/stupidity when something bad happens? I’ve visited Atlanta many time and am familiar with this left lane EXIT. It’s well marked and the bus driver should have been paying attention, particularly if he wasn’t familiar with the area. He obviously “assumed” the left lane was for “through” traffic. Bad assumption, but still his negligence. Tragic as it may be, I hope the insurance carriers for the city will deny liability for this. Think of the hundreds of thousands of motorists who travel this roadway every year and DIDN’T make the same mistake.
Having been to Atlanta on numerous occasions and being familiar with this exit I can tell you that anyone who is paying attention to driving would know it’s and EXIT RAMP. It’s well marked and the driver, who was unfamiliar with the area, made a bad decision. It was HIS MISTAKE, not the road or its design. Leave it to our suit happy society to try and shift the blame everytime somebody’s negligence/stupidity results in something bad happening. I hope the insurance carriers for the city deny any liability and payment to the plaintiffs. Tragic as it may be, the “somebody has to pay” mentality needs to stop. They should be looking to the driver, the charter company or owner of the bus, for claims under the guest statute.
Ohioan,
Perfect example of transferring negligence to the webpage and not admitting you screwed up! “oh, the webpage froze”… Face it, you weren’t paying attention just like the bus driver! Who’s deep pockets are you gonna sue for this mistake?!?! Shame on you!
Very funny. I didn’t realize you’re either clairvoyant or were sitting next to me to witness the event If neither is the case, I take umbrage at your suggestion I would tell an untruth. At least I had the stones to admit the snafu. Now go back to sleep unless you have something substantive to add to the original topic.
Mikey: I have to comment on your absured exchange with Ohian. He had something to say on point with the topic of this blog. You on the other had, have nothing to say. You must be an agent. While you’re asleep, try thinking of making an independent contribution of your own that is relevant to the topic. Otherwise, I suggest you go play in a non-insurance related chatroom instead of criticizing comments of others.
We can respectfully disagree regarding the design of this roadway but this forum is expected to show respect for the loss of life that resulted from this incident. Your humor is inappropriate for this article. Families lost their children and children lost their families. Please show respect for the loss.
FM,
I don’t recall making light of this tragedy. Many posts discuss taking personal responsibility for actions (ie, accident was due to driver error, not due to poorly marked roads) and I was showing the irony of Ohian blaming duplicate posts on website error. We had some innocent banter back and forth, followed by Frank’s upity remarks. I responded in kind. Please tell me how I disrespected those who lost their lives and the families who survived them.
I seem to have missed where the state should be liable for this. I read it twice but still didn’t see it. Somebody please clarify this for me.
And emotional damages? Get over it people! Grab your boot straps like the rest of us and just deal. Wimps.
This one was on 60 minutes. The on ramp is deceptive and not well signed. The bus driver thought he was on the freeway and accelarated to highway speeds. The on-ramp terminates into an intersection. The bus driver did not have time to stop and went over the railing… The GA DOT will be on the hook for this one.
My apologies, as I did incorrectly identify the interstate… It is I-75. Nonetheless, the ramp ends in a “T” intersection that has stop signs on BOTH SIDES. This is an unfortunate result of an inattentive driver. Additionally, only one other vehicle has had a similar accident, in driving over the retaining wall on the far side of the intersection.
I remember seeing the ramp on the news and it’s very confusing. With the extreme amount of traffic and the high speeds on the interstates in Atlanta it’s easy to see how anyone could have been confused on this exit. I agree that someone is going to be on the hook for this one.
There are signs as you are approaching and if you follow the lines of the road then you will proceed down the interstate. The only way to get there is to actively change lanes to the left…
You can claim to be confused by a left exit lane (because that is unusual) but if you follow the signs you know it’s an exit. The bus driver was distracted and the accident was his fault.
Can’t agree with you, Former Atlantan. While I agree that there are signs, that exit ramp is VERY confusing – especially at night. Adding the existence of left lane HOV lanes in Atlanta, that exit ramp is just an invitation for accidents such as the one that occurred to happen. Perhaps you will recall statements of others who have experienced the same issue there. This was not a fluke accident. That ramp is dangerous. If not, why is the DOT looking at options to change it? The government doesn’t like to admit that it is EVER wrong!
Can’t agree with you, Former Atlantan. While I agree that there are signs, that exit ramp is VERY confusing – especially at night. Adding the existence of left lane HOV lanes in Atlanta, that exit ramp is just an invitation for accidents such as the one that occurred to happen. Perhaps you will recall statements of others who have experienced the same issue there. This was not a fluke accident. That ramp is dangerous. If not, why is the DOT looking at options to change it? The government doesn’t like to admit that it is EVER wrong!
Sorry about the multiple entries, folks. I never did get a confirmation that my message was sent. It wasn’t ‘operator error,’ I promise!
This accident was tragic, no doubt. It’s sad that the media is now your conclusive source for liability assessment. You guys should know better. 60 Minutes did not show you how the ramp actually functions. Literally thousands of cars, trucks and busses pass over this ramp thousands of times daily without driving over the retaining wall that is clearly marked with arrows, lines and signs. There is actually very little traffic in the wee (dark) hours when the bus went over the retaining wall onto the highway below. The general Atlanta volume of traffic and speed of the traffic flow had nothing to do with this accident. I drive onto this ramp at least once a month and it is clearly marked. (It is not really even a “ramp,” but an access to the Atlanta perimeter highway, I-285.) It could only have been driver error that caused this accident. Isn’t anyone considering that this driver had driven through the night to get this team to playoffs? That was poor planning by the team, university, bus company and driver. It made for a fatigued driver who made a fatal error. Again, tragic, but the State of Georgia’s “fault?” There’s only ever been one similar accident in that location. That’s not exactly evidence of prior notice or negligent design. And if we’re throwing the State of Georgia into the mix, what about the engineers and architects who designed it? How about the contractors who built it? It appears to be a tragic accident and an attempt to attach any deep pocket remotely available.
I hate this exit ramp! Deep pockets or not this is most asinine ramp I have ever seen in my life. Is it any wonder there aren’t more like it in Atlanta? It’s stupid to begin with and has no viable function as far I am concerned except an accident(s) waiting to happen. SOmeone from out of town could EASILY not know what they’re doing and any native that tired and confused could do the same. Do you know the tally of near misses? No, I don’t think the average Atlantan does. The GA DOT just wanted to try something new and funky and looked where it landed them.
The DOT installed new signage within days of the accident. Further, we were told there were eight (8) previous accidents at that location. “Current Atlantan” claims he drives the area on a monthly basis, but to those of us who mostly stay in the ‘burbs, or who drive through Atlanta only occasionally, it was a very deceiving intersection…not so much any more. And I’ve just realized “Current Atlantan” is making reference to I-285, which has NOTHING to do with the location of this bus accident which took place on 75S at the Northside Drive exit – nowhere near 285. “Current Atlantan”, here’s the story from CNN, which also includes a diagram of the location – perhaps you’ve confused this story with something else. http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/03/02/bus.accident/index.html
Glad you caught that glaring detail.
from the Atlanta local paper:
It was the worst accident at the I-75 ramp at Northside Drive. But it wasn’t the first.
At least 82 other drivers have crashed at the overpass from which a bus fell early Friday morning, killing four college baseball players, the bus driver and his wife.
Kimberly Smith/Staff Photographer
Emergency workers go over the debris-covered scene on I-75 in Atlanta on Friday after a bus from Ohio took the ramp at Northside Drive but wound up plunging back onto the freeway, killing six people. Some drivers and traffic analysts say this stretch of the highway can mislead drivers and cause them to make sudden mistakes. But state officials say the signs beat federal standards in that regard.
• Bus crash exit has deadly distinction
• Bluffton team will compete this season
• Coach leaves hospital for Ohio home
• Work begins on troubled exit ramp
• Changes planned for exits on left
Forty-eight of the wrecks happened at the top of the ramp, where it runs into Northside Drive, according to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution analysis of Georgia Department of Transportation data collected since 1998. Two people died in the previous crashes.
The National Transportation Safety Board said late Friday it would look at the ramp’s configuration and the signs leading up to it.
There were also stop signs on both sides of the ramp at the top which the driver blew through. It may be a confusing design, but the driver wasn’t paying attention. There wasn’t much traffic at that hour to distract him.
Isn’t it just like our fellow Americans to want to transfer blame for their own negligence/stupidity when something bad happens? I’ve visited Atlanta many time and am familiar with this left lane EXIT. It’s well marked and the bus driver should have been paying attention, particularly if he wasn’t familiar with the area. He obviously “assumed” the left lane was for “through” traffic. Bad assumption, but still his negligence. Tragic as it may be, I hope the insurance carriers for the city will deny liability for this. Think of the hundreds of thousands of motorists who travel this roadway every year and DIDN’T make the same mistake.
Having been to Atlanta on numerous occasions and being familiar with this exit I can tell you that anyone who is paying attention to driving would know it’s and EXIT RAMP. It’s well marked and the driver, who was unfamiliar with the area, made a bad decision. It was HIS MISTAKE, not the road or its design. Leave it to our suit happy society to try and shift the blame everytime somebody’s negligence/stupidity results in something bad happening. I hope the insurance carriers for the city deny any liability and payment to the plaintiffs. Tragic as it may be, the “somebody has to pay” mentality needs to stop. They should be looking to the driver, the charter company or owner of the bus, for claims under the guest statute.
sorry about the redundant post. The webpage “froze” and I didn’t think the first one made it.
Ohioan,
Perfect example of transferring negligence to the webpage and not admitting you screwed up! “oh, the webpage froze”… Face it, you weren’t paying attention just like the bus driver! Who’s deep pockets are you gonna sue for this mistake?!?! Shame on you!
Very funny. I didn’t realize you’re either clairvoyant or were sitting next to me to witness the event If neither is the case, I take umbrage at your suggestion I would tell an untruth. At least I had the stones to admit the snafu. Now go back to sleep unless you have something substantive to add to the original topic.
Glad to see you have a sense of humor.
I think I will go back to sleep. I’ll just read one more of your posts and… ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…
Mikey: I have to comment on your absured exchange with Ohian. He had something to say on point with the topic of this blog. You on the other had, have nothing to say. You must be an agent. While you’re asleep, try thinking of making an independent contribution of your own that is relevant to the topic. Otherwise, I suggest you go play in a non-insurance related chatroom instead of criticizing comments of others.
Wow! You insurance nerds sure are upity! I didn’t mean to get your panties in a bunch. Learn to lighten up. You might live longer.
We can respectfully disagree regarding the design of this roadway but this forum is expected to show respect for the loss of life that resulted from this incident. Your humor is inappropriate for this article. Families lost their children and children lost their families. Please show respect for the loss.
FM,
I don’t recall making light of this tragedy. Many posts discuss taking personal responsibility for actions (ie, accident was due to driver error, not due to poorly marked roads) and I was showing the irony of Ohian blaming duplicate posts on website error. We had some innocent banter back and forth, followed by Frank’s upity remarks. I responded in kind. Please tell me how I disrespected those who lost their lives and the families who survived them.