Semi slams School Bus

A few years ago I was pulling a loaded fertilizer chassis (kinda like a hopper bottom, but it has a 21' auger that sticks about half way oit the back) grossing 80k plus. It was winter, on a back county road that had packed snow and ice all across the road. Speed limit was 50 mph, I was doing about 35 to 40.

A school bus was coming the other way so I let off the throttle and hugged the shoulder. The bus turned on the yellows, and I started gently on the brakes and down shifting. My drives started wanting to slide out toward the shoulder and steep borrow-pit, I was doing everything I could to get stopped without losing control.

The bus driver saw that I was struggling as she came to a complete stop and turned on the red lights and Stop sign. I saw her point over her shoulder at a kid, who immediately sat back down. Then the reds and stop sign shut off and she stuck her arm out the window and waved me by. After I passed she turned the reds amd stop sign back on and the kids got off the bus.

I could have got stopped, but I might have ended up sliding off the shoulder some. That road has a really bad crown. Her paying good attention saved us both alot of stress... She didnt have to worry if I was going to loose control and hit her bus, and I didnt have to worry that I might have to put my truck in the ditch if the "Fit hit the Shan."

Had I not been able to stop, hit the bus, a kid, or put my truck in the ditch, it would have been 100% my fault... And if I had been forced to choose I would have taken the ditch.

I only wish all bus drivers paid as close attention as she did that day.