POLICE are satisfied both drivers involved in a horror crash between a school bus and a truck near Trawalla last month did all they could to avoid the collision.
Ararat Police Traffic Management Unit Sergeant David Todd said police had completed the investigation and would not charge either driver.
The crash happened in heavy fog about 8.20am on Friday, May 13, when the school bus turned right onto the Western Hwy from the Ercildoune Rd.
The east-bound truck and the rear of the bus connected, tearing the back of the bus apart.
Twenty-one people, including 18 students from schools in Beaufort and Trawalla, were involved in the collision, and four were taken to hospital by ambulance.
A further 10 students went to the Ballarat Health Services Base Hospital for observation.
Sgt Todd said police were satisfied neither driver was at fault.
"It was one of those circumstances where both drivers have displayed the necessary caution," he said.
"Given the circumstances there's no fault or blame on any person."
Sgt Todd said other motorists behaved very poorly in the fog while emergency crews attended the scene.
Ambulances and other vehicles were delayed in getting to the scene because drivers failed to pull over, he said.
He was critical of drivers not slowing down despite the low visibility and flashing lights at the side of the road.
Sgt Todd's statements echo the comments of Ballan policeman Senior Constable Ken Birch who said he was nearly run off the road six times while at a minor collision on the Western Hwy on Friday, May 27.
Sen Const Birch feared for his life as drivers sped past the crash scene. Sgt Todd said common sense needed to prevail whenever blue and red lights were flashing on the road side.
"It gets a bit hairy out there," he said.
Reflective vests are used at crash scenes to make police members more visible.
Police will hold a transport operators and driver safety awareness day on Thursday, June 23, at the Tarara truck stop on the Western Hwy near Ararat.
Drivers are invited to attend the informal information session to learn about speed, fatigue, secure loads and other road safety issues. A barbecue and marquee will be set up.
