Is there a law regarding driving too slowly?
Discussion
To be fair this is more of a rant than a legal standpoint but is there anything you can do about a sodding bus crawling along a road constantly? I might sound like a man child but its really starting to piss me off now.
To set the scene there is a bus route that runs along the main road near my house and the frequency is every 30 minutes in both directions, so every 15 minutes or so there is a bus going in my direction and every time I leave the house I seem to be stuck behind it, doesn't matter which direction I go in or what time of day or night it is I seem to be behind it. I could live with that but this bus only does 15-20 mph maximum even though the roads are perfectly wide enough to go faster and one bit of is a 40. The drivers have clearly been told to take it slowly because it happens with multiple busses at multiple times.
Quite regularly there is a big queue of cars maybe 20 or more behind the bus and a wide open road ahead of it. Just this evening the maximum my speedo read on the long straight 40 road was 17mph with absolutely nothing ahead of it. no one could overtake either because cars were coming the other way and when it went round the bend at the end you could clearly see there wasn't even anyone on it.
This is one bit of the road in question, there is even a b
d bus in the streetview imagery, its always there.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.4342221,-2.38577...
To set the scene there is a bus route that runs along the main road near my house and the frequency is every 30 minutes in both directions, so every 15 minutes or so there is a bus going in my direction and every time I leave the house I seem to be stuck behind it, doesn't matter which direction I go in or what time of day or night it is I seem to be behind it. I could live with that but this bus only does 15-20 mph maximum even though the roads are perfectly wide enough to go faster and one bit of is a 40. The drivers have clearly been told to take it slowly because it happens with multiple busses at multiple times.
Quite regularly there is a big queue of cars maybe 20 or more behind the bus and a wide open road ahead of it. Just this evening the maximum my speedo read on the long straight 40 road was 17mph with absolutely nothing ahead of it. no one could overtake either because cars were coming the other way and when it went round the bend at the end you could clearly see there wasn't even anyone on it.
This is one bit of the road in question, there is even a b
d bus in the streetview imagery, its always there.https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.4342221,-2.38577...
No, and I have no doubt you are about to get abused for saying so.
But I feel your pain.
I get up and leave the house 5 minutes earlier than I need to, purely because of the sodding X10 bus, which dawdles along my commute at 35-40, not picking up any passengers (because no one uses the bus at 7am, as their demographic is still in bed).
As in your case, I suspect the timetable is rather generous, so they go slow to stay on schedule.
There is nothing I can do about it, so as long as I pull out of the end of my lane by 0655 I get to work five minutes early, rather than five minutes late.
But I feel your pain.
I get up and leave the house 5 minutes earlier than I need to, purely because of the sodding X10 bus, which dawdles along my commute at 35-40, not picking up any passengers (because no one uses the bus at 7am, as their demographic is still in bed).
As in your case, I suspect the timetable is rather generous, so they go slow to stay on schedule.
There is nothing I can do about it, so as long as I pull out of the end of my lane by 0655 I get to work five minutes early, rather than five minutes late.
scottyp123 said:
To be fair this is more of a rant than a legal standpoint but is there anything you can do about a sodding bus crawling along a road constantly? I might sound like a man child but its really starting to piss me off now.
To set the scene there is a bus route that runs along the main road near my house and the frequency is every 30 minutes in both directions, so every 15 minutes or so there is a bus going in my direction and every time I leave the house I seem to be stuck behind it, doesn't matter which direction I go in or what time of day or night it is I seem to be behind it. I could live with that but this bus only does 15-20 mph maximum even though the roads are perfectly wide enough to go faster and one bit of is a 40. The drivers have clearly been told to take it slowly because it happens with multiple busses at multiple times.
Quite regularly there is a big queue of cars maybe 20 or more behind the bus and a wide open road ahead of it. Just this evening the maximum my speedo read on the long straight 40 road was 17mph with absolutely nothing ahead of it. no one could overtake either because cars were coming the other way and when it went round the bend at the end you could clearly see there wasn't even anyone on it.
This is one bit of the road in question, there is even a bd bus in the streetview imagery, its always there.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.4342221,-2.38577...
You're welcome.To set the scene there is a bus route that runs along the main road near my house and the frequency is every 30 minutes in both directions, so every 15 minutes or so there is a bus going in my direction and every time I leave the house I seem to be stuck behind it, doesn't matter which direction I go in or what time of day or night it is I seem to be behind it. I could live with that but this bus only does 15-20 mph maximum even though the roads are perfectly wide enough to go faster and one bit of is a 40. The drivers have clearly been told to take it slowly because it happens with multiple busses at multiple times.
Quite regularly there is a big queue of cars maybe 20 or more behind the bus and a wide open road ahead of it. Just this evening the maximum my speedo read on the long straight 40 road was 17mph with absolutely nothing ahead of it. no one could overtake either because cars were coming the other way and when it went round the bend at the end you could clearly see there wasn't even anyone on it.
This is one bit of the road in question, there is even a b
d bus in the streetview imagery, its always there.https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.4342221,-2.38577...
Alucidnation said:
Fair point.
It's a shame it isn't a nice straight stretch of road to overtake.
I've overtaken many a car or bus down that road over the years, it used to be a 60 a few years ago but they have recently narrowed it to make a wide cycle path down one side (which hardly ever gets used, they much prefer the road) and reduced the speed down to 40, you can still get 80+ down it when its empty though no problems. However obviously you can't overtake when stuff is coming the other way like this evening, I was also a good few card back and the Dorris's in front would never dream of taking a bus.It's a shame it isn't a nice straight stretch of road to overtake.
Slight bit of trivia to take it off topic, the road is known locally as the mile road or mile end road but it is just over half a mile long.
This happened on a busy route near me, very noticeable that early last year(pre CV19) the buses got slower. It also coincided with First bus rolling out newer eco buses. I wonder if it is First bus policy, as the route is now run by an independent who in general seem be happy to hold over at certain stops rather than dawdle along. It was very frustrating as the city council also installed keep left bollards in the centre of the road just yards behind the bus stop making it illegal to pass the stationary bus, this was done at several stops on the route near me.
Inconsiderate driving is about the best option for driving in a manner which obstructs other road users. However, it is politically impossible to use this with buses. There are laws regarding scheduling and if it is difficult to maintain it while keeping within speed limits it can be an offence. Round my way, there are complaints from users with regards to the speeds of buses around tight country lanes. The suggestion being the timings are too tight.
I know someone who was reported for inconsiderate recently. He challenged the ticket, saying that the sidewinds along the raised section of a motorway were such that it was causing his caravan to sway. He believed a higher speed would have been dangerous. NG.
I know someone who was reported for inconsiderate recently. He challenged the ticket, saying that the sidewinds along the raised section of a motorway were such that it was causing his caravan to sway. He believed a higher speed would have been dangerous. NG.
MikeM6 said:
fatboy b said:
Highway code 169 is as close as you'll get.
Which says ..... ? Why only be half helpful?https://www.google.com/search?q=Highway+code+169&a...
Google said:
Rule 169:“Do not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle. “Check your mirrors frequently, and if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass.”
Johnnytheboy said:
Google said:
Rule 169:“Do not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle. “Check your mirrors frequently, and if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass.”
You could always take the bus instead? Would work wonders for your blood pressure
No problem with buses out here. It's all tractors and cyclists. Grrrr....
silentbrown said:
169's not "law", though.
You could always take the bus instead? Would work wonders for your blood pressure
No problem with buses out here. It's all tractors and cyclists. Grrrr....
...and all bliddy horses and cyclists here and nowhere to pass them. I'd swap the OP for a bus on a main road anytime. You could always take the bus instead? Would work wonders for your blood pressure
No problem with buses out here. It's all tractors and cyclists. Grrrr....
A friend drives buses and he said its to do with routing speeds. In peak hours/busy roads its not a problem with slow traffic and lots of stops. But clear roads and quiet routes it is. He was routed at 21mph and the "rules" within a lot of bus companies are to not stop at bus stops for long periods of time as it upsets customers. So for customer convenience in terms of sticking to time tables and perceived experience, they dawdle and hold the rest of the world up.
Sure its inconsiderate driving but like mentioned, there's no public interest to pursue a prosecution.
Sure its inconsiderate driving but like mentioned, there's no public interest to pursue a prosecution.
scottyp123 said:
Slight bit of trivia to take it off topic, the road is known locally as the mile road or mile end road but it is just over half a mile long.
I always understood it to be about a mile long if you carry straight on through the recent traffic light junction redesign to NG Daines Substation (or start of United's training ground access as it is these days).Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff