When Public Transportation gets involved into an accident

From
http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/STIStory_151327.html

Aug 24, 2007
Teen killed after he was hit by SBS bus

A 16-year-old boy was killed in an accident at Hougang Central around 7am on Friday, while on his way to school.

The SBS bus service no. 27, was making a right turn from Hougang Central towards Hougang Ave 10 when it collided into the boy who was crossing the road.

Gabriel Goh Wee Siang, a student of Holy Innocents' High, was pronounced dead by paramedics at about 7.30 am.

The bus driver is helping the police with investigations.

According to school principal Pauline Wong, who spoke to The Straits Times, the accident was witnessed by one of Gabriel's teachers, who alerted the school and called the ambulance.

Two other teachers, along with the school's operations manager, then rushed down to the accident site to render help.

Mrs Wong said counselling is now being given to help affected students cope.

The school has also postponed its preliminary examinations for the GCE 'O' and 'N' levels, which were scheduled to take place on Monday.

Co-curricular activities too were cut for the day.

Mrs Wong said Gabriel was a good student and a prominent scout and student leader.

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In an article, the paper also mentioned that the company was considering terminating the driver's employment. Honestly, I do not see the point of doing that but I sure hope that it's not a move to avoid bad publicity.

Anyway, should these companies be responsible of their employees? In this case, the bus drivers? In recent weeks, there have been many cases of drivers getting involved in accident due to various reasons like, drug abuse, bad driving records etc etc.

Doesn't transport companies like these "screen" through their candidates / captains?

Should these companies be "made" partially responsible for such accidents as well?
Be it by Heavy fines, Be it by heavy compensations to victim's family etc.

What kind of security are the public given if all they can do is announce that the responsible driver's services has been terminated? Are the authorities being "strict" enough with the "criteria" of their selection of their employees?

What kind of punishments should the companies of these drivers be slapped with to ensure that they are more careful with the people they employ?

My heart goes to the family whom the boy involved in the accident.