TV news quick to jump on alleged speeding bus

A video of a speeding Gravette school bus was shown repeatedly on an area television station Monday evening. The location of the event which indicated the bus may have been traveling 40 mph in a lesser speed zone was supplied to the station by an unidentified person.

The newscast also showed a brief film clip of Andrea Kelly, superintendent of Gravette schools, who said theincident would be investigated. Richard Carver, district director of transportation, was also interviewed briefly.

Carver told the Eagle Observer the video was filmed on Dixieland Road in Rogers last Saturday. He said the bus could have been keeping up with surrounding traffic flow. He also noted speed signage on that fourlane street changes quickly.

“We take this very seriously,” said Carver, who has been director of transportation for the district for 28 years. He said this isa personnel matter and a discipline report has been included in the bus driver’s personnel file. He would not disclose the name of the driver.

Carver said, “We all have been guilty of speeding sometimes,” but emphasized again, “We take this very seriously.”

He also questioned the safety factor that the driver of the other vehicle was filming while driving, a fact, he said, that many Facebook comments have echoed.

News, Pages 2 on 10/18/2011