Accident with bus - what's the procedure?

Accident with bus - what's the procedure?

Author
Discussion

AndrewEH1

4,917 posts

153 months

Friday 27th February 2015
quotequote all
Contact Bus Company, depending on how that goes call the Police for failing to stop and give details.

dtmpower

3,972 posts

245 months

Friday 27th February 2015
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stuart313 said:
Really annoys me when busses indicate and just pull out
Isn't it part of the Highway Code to give way to an indicating bus leaving a stop ?

AndrewEH1

4,917 posts

153 months

Friday 27th February 2015
quotequote all
dtmpower said:
stuart313 said:
Really annoys me when busses indicate and just pull out
Isn't it part of the Highway Code to give way to an indicating bus leaving a stop ?
Even if that is true, I'm not sure that is it. It's unsafe to give way whilst you are already overtaking, I'm sure the bus can wait a couple of seconds until it is safe to pull out.

Most of the local buses (Lothian Buses) in Edinburgh do a similar thing of just putting the indicator on and pulling out without caring if someone is overtaking or not.

Hooli

32,278 posts

200 months

Friday 27th February 2015
quotequote all
AndrewEH1 said:
dtmpower said:
stuart313 said:
Really annoys me when busses indicate and just pull out
Isn't it part of the Highway Code to give way to an indicating bus leaving a stop ?
Even if that is true, I'm not sure that is it. It's unsafe to give way whilst you are already overtaking, I'm sure the bus can wait a couple of seconds until it is safe to pull out.

Most of the local buses (Lothian Buses) in Edinburgh do a similar thing of just putting the indicator on and pulling out without caring if someone is overtaking or not.
It is true, you'll have to look it up though as I can't remember the rule number.


As to other posters saying look for the same number bus in the depot, not a lot of point with most companies. Buses tend to change routes during the day to fit in with shifts/fueling etc. When I drove buses on average I'd do three or four routes per day.

TooMany2cvs

29,008 posts

126 months

Friday 27th February 2015
quotequote all
dtmpower said:
Isn't it part of the Highway Code to give way to an indicating bus leaving a stop ?
You'd think that the Gov't would take advantage of that new-fangled interweb thingy to make the HC easy to check, wouldn't you?

https://www.gov.uk/road-users-requiring-extra-care...
The Gov't said:
223
Buses, coaches and trams. Give priority to these vehicles when you can do so safely, especially when they signal to pull away from stops. Look out for people getting off a bus or tram and crossing the road.

stuart313

740 posts

113 months

Friday 27th February 2015
quotequote all
dtmpower said:
stuart313 said:
Really annoys me when busses indicate and just pull out
Isn't it part of the Highway Code to give way to an indicating bus leaving a stop ?
It might be but the highway code is not law. It also says do not panic if blue lights are approaching, if you do happen to panic then I doubt you could be charged with panicking.

However pulling out from a parking space whilst being overtaken is breaking the law, whether indicating or not.

Ganglandboss

8,307 posts

203 months

Friday 27th February 2015
quotequote all
I complained about the conduct of a driver a few months back. He was stopped, with his left indicator on and about 30 yards ahead of him was a red light. I went to pass, and he moved forward. As he did so, the lights ahead changed, so I had to either out-pace him and tuck in front of him (and risk hitting the oncoming car head-on), stop where I was (which would mean I would be stuck in the oncoming lane), or alert him of my presence and hope he'll realise his error and let me in.

I sounded my horn, and saw him look at me through his mirror and slow down. Thinking he was letting me pass, I accelerated and he did the same, basically forcing me into a game of chicken with oncoming traffic. I had to stop and wait, by which time the lights were again on red. He was sat waiting at the lights, while I was stranded like a pillock, blocking oncoming traffic.

I was fuming, and forgot to note his reg no. As I turned off, I realised, so I made a note of the time. I sent a snot-mail to Stagecoach when I returned home, and a week later, I got the following reply:

"From the information you provided, I have identified the driver and downloaded the CCTV from the vehicle. Having viewed the footage, I can see the situation that you described. I am dismayed by the actions of the driver and his disregard for other road users.

I have made arrangements for the driver to be interviewed as a matter of urgency with regard to this incident. He will be reminded of his responsibilities as a professional bus driver and the importance of checking his interior mirror before moving off, to ensure the safety of his own vehicle and other road users. I give you my assurances that this matter will be dealt with promptly and in the appropriate manner.

I hope you will accept my sincere apologies for the actions of the driver. If I can be of any further assistance in the future with regard to our services, then please do not hesitate to contact me directly."

Edited by Ganglandboss on Friday 27th February 15:07

mph1977

12,467 posts

168 months

Friday 27th February 2015
quotequote all
dtmpower said:
stuart313 said:
Really annoys me when busses indicate and just pull out
Isn't it part of the Highway Code to give way to an indicating bus leaving a stop ?
but there is no legal requirement to do so , it is purely a matter of courtesy , if a bus pulls out and hits you the bus is in the wrong .

CaptainMorgan

1,454 posts

159 months

Friday 27th February 2015
quotequote all
Tossers drive everything, not just buses, if someone drives like a prat in a bus, it's likely they drive the same in their car so dont think it's what they drive that causes it, or that all bus drivers are the same.

With regards to the OP, if it's a decent size national company you should be alright, smaller ones can be crap at this kinda thing but not all of them.

Hooli

32,278 posts

200 months

Friday 27th February 2015
quotequote all
Ganglandboss said:
I complained about the conduct of a driver a few months back. He was stopped, with his left indicator on and about 30 yards ahead of him was a red light. I went to pass, and he moved forward. As he did so, the lights ahead changed, so I had to either out-pace him and tuck in front of him (and risk hitting the oncoming car head-on), stop where I was (which would mean I would be stuck in the oncoming lane), or alert him of my presence and hope he'll realise his error and let me in.

I sounded my horn, and saw him look at me through his mirror and slow down. Thinking he was letting me pass, I accelerated and he did the same, basically forcing me into a game of chicken with oncoming traffic. I had to stop and wait, by which time the lights were again on red. He was sat waiting at the lights, while I was stranded like a pillock, blocking oncoming traffic.

I was fuming, and forgot to note his reg no. As I turned off, I realised, so I made a note of the time. I sent a snot-mail to Stagecoach when I returned home, and a week later, I got the following reply:

"From the information you provided, I have identified the driver and downloaded the CCTV from the vehicle. Having viewed the footage, I can see the situation that you described. I am dismayed by the actions of the driver and his disregard for other road users.

I have made arrangements for the driver to be interviewed as a matter of urgency with regard to this incident. He will be reminded of his responsibilities as a professional bus driver and the importance of checking his interior mirror before moving off, to ensure the safety of his own vehicle and other road users. I give you my assurances that this matter will be dealt with promptly and in the appropriate manner.

I hope you will accept my sincere apologies for the actions of the driver. If I can be of any further assistance in the future with regard to our services, then please do not hesitate to contact me directly."
I like that comment about the internal mirror. I can assure you it's feck all use for seeing cars in, it only exists to see what the passengers are doing.