Reporting a coach this morning

tardington

Almost had to hop off the road today because of a wildly veering Citylink coach. As it was had to slam to an emergency stop. When (amazingly) I overtook 1 minute later as coach was stuck in the traffic I looked in the driver's window to wave at him, and he was fiddling with his mobile phone! :x :x When he saw me looking he stuffed it in his jacket and pretended he couldn't see me. :x :x

Just off the phone reporting him (time, place, bus reg and bus route).

Is there much chance of anything happening from this report? They took my number and address etc on the phone...

The Rookie

Report to the Plod or the coach co? The Coach compnay will probably give him a verbal warning, noit much else they can do on one uncorroborated report.

Was nearly taken out by a Mitsubishi pick up last night pulling out, literaly had to jump off as I was going over the bars mid turn, not sure if I can be bothered reporting it though as I doubt it will do any good.

Simon

UndercoverElephant

There are some real idiots who are professional drivers, it seems. Still, at least you aren't dead.

tardington

Oh, just to the coach people. Wasn't ACTUALLY killed, just NEARLY so polis won't do anything without a witness. Fat chance any drivers would stand up! No other cyclists around.

Would settle for the driver getting spoken too - not sure he even saw me when he nearly got me.

Rich158

I've had cause to complain to a local coach co. before and whilst I didn't get any formal response I've not seen any of their coaches on my route since. I've not changed my commuting times or route so it obviously had an effect

dilemna

tardington wrote:

Oh, just to the coach people. Wasn't ACTUALLY killed, just NEARLY so polis won't do anything without a witness. Fat chance any drivers would stand up! No other cyclists around.

Would settle for the driver getting spoken too - not sure he even saw me when he nearly got me.

Passengers on the bus? Surely they would have been concerned for their safety :shock: .

The police really are part of the problem not the solution. I'm sure those in the police "service centres" are employed to fob people off .

mitchell_inman

Dunno about coach companies, but I reported a driver from the blood transfusion service (yes, really) who nearly ran me over and then gave me some serious verbal abuse.

Judging by the responses I got from several levels in their management, he got a right bollocking.

Always worth reporting IMHO.

tardington

Excellent 8)

May phone up tomorrow and ask what they've done.

oscarbudgie

I complained about a London bus driver last year - he was about a foot away from my back wheel sounding his horn for me to pull over so he could overtake. I would annoyed about this anyway but I was actually in a cycle lane at the time! I did get a letter back saying that the driver had been reprimanded - I can't find it now but the tone of the letter made me think this character had a bit of previous.

windbreaker

I took a city link coach to and from Aberdeen with the Brompton recently as an experiment. Most of the drivers were OK. However the last one from Dundee to Edinburgh was very dangerous. He hit 65 in 30 zones – I was sitting at the front so saw the Speedo. He raced along the bus lanes in town at 50-55, clearing the pavement by inches. He never slowed down for obvious hazards – kids at crossings etc. I’m an ex pro driver myself so know what good driving is and what the worst kind of “professional” driving is. I thought of reporting him, but decided not to because they had let me on with the Brommie without a cover, which is apparently against regulations, and I worried about an anti-cyclist backlash. I now have the cover which I bought today.

Yes I should have complained. I think making a complaint in writing does make a difference especially as a passenger, and one who knows what he is talking about. He would be spoken to and although they will not even accuse him of anything just report your concern, he will not want repeated complaints. I reported a Hunters driver who was regularly aggressive on the city bypass, and his driving changed after the boss spoke to him.

I wish I practised what I preach more.

tardington

Just had a letter - they have 'investigated' and the driver will be punished 'in line with internal regulations'...

Probably not kneecapped but I can hope! At least they are... um, writing me a letter.

always_tyred

tardington wrote:

Just had a letter - they have 'investigated' and the driver will be punished 'in line with internal regulations'...

Probably not kneecapped but I can hope! At least they are... um, writing me a letter.

Yes, a standard letter is about as far as I've ever got. I'd be curious to find out how much more information you could extract. How about "I witnessed a road traffic offence and presumably his mobile phone records will indicate.... blah....and that I should therefore contact the local constabulary...blah...."?

No, life's too short.

Good for you, by the way. Amazed that it wasn't Lothian Busses.

gb155

UndercoverElephant wrote:

There are some real idiots who are professional drivers, it seems. Still, at least you aren't dead.

Here is a picture of ANOTHER "PROFESSIONAL" Driver.

rolf_f

You are probably in with a good shout at getting the driver properly punished. I was talking to a driver (Keighley and District) in Leeds who said that they get random inspections and, I think he said that if they are found carrying a mobile phone, even if switched off, it is pretty much one step from dismissal.

So, if your driver was found to have a phone on him, that in itself would be evidence enough.