Do London bus drivers own the road?
Discussion
tigamilla said:
Most of the London buses I've driven behind have been firm but polite. They always indicate and although they don't always wait for a gap, they ALWAYS flash a thank you hazard if you let them out.
I have to say that I don’t recognise the generally negative observations of London bus drivers in this thread. If you want a group of people who think they own the road, spend a few minutes on twitter checking out the tweets of black cabbies and their organisations. Their delusions of grandeur, language and outright hostility to anyone/thing that may (in their option) negatively effect them beggars belief.
Has no-one actually mentioned that the highway code prioritises buses?
Rule 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
Rule 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
BobSaunders said:
Has no-one actually mentioned that the highway code prioritises buses?
Rule 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
Yes, I did. Rule 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
I simply objected to their pulling away/out before signalling. I didn't think it was controversial.
BobSaunders said:
Has no-one actually mentioned that the highway code prioritises buses?
Rule 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
That is a request to other drivers to help them out.Rule 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
It doesn't relinquish the bus drivers of their obligations under Sec 3 RTA when entering traffic.
I don't really see the issue with the buses. Yes there are some bad instances. Any driver of any vehicle never been guilty of a bad move? But buses are predictable. They drive in bus lanes where available. They stop at bus stops, then pull out and carry on, and repeat. Nearly always in heavy traffic with very few people that will voluntarily let them out in front of themselves.
But for unpredictable driving, bikes (motor bikes included), taxis and general cars who have no idea where they are going, let alone indicate to advise you.
Bullying is reserved mostly for van drivers and big expensive "important " people and cars. They expect you to get out of their way and will attempt to force their way through. I am a relaxed driver, I never drive to time limits, and will happily let other vehicles cross traffic or merge in at slow points. As long as they drive the same way. Try and bully your way in and I will be happy for you to drive into me.
Most frustration in jams is because any 1 driver thinks they are more frustrated, or running late, or more important than any other driver in the same traffic. If traffic is that much of an issue get out of the car and use the transport, like, a bus !
But for unpredictable driving, bikes (motor bikes included), taxis and general cars who have no idea where they are going, let alone indicate to advise you.
Bullying is reserved mostly for van drivers and big expensive "important " people and cars. They expect you to get out of their way and will attempt to force their way through. I am a relaxed driver, I never drive to time limits, and will happily let other vehicles cross traffic or merge in at slow points. As long as they drive the same way. Try and bully your way in and I will be happy for you to drive into me.
Most frustration in jams is because any 1 driver thinks they are more frustrated, or running late, or more important than any other driver in the same traffic. If traffic is that much of an issue get out of the car and use the transport, like, a bus !
When not in a rush I usually flash buses out as long as they aren't a really new double deckers thathabr been speed limited by Tfl.
Traffic planning doesn't help matters with people's view of bus drivers as the roads in London have recently been redesigned to make it impossible to pass bus stops when the bus is stationary as they have extended pavements to remove the pull in points for buses and also repeatedly extended the opening hours of the bus lanes.
Busses have so many cameras on them these days that it would be stupid for a bus driver to deliberately drive dangerously but they still do as they are only human and under a high stress environment.
When you have an accident with a bus that has been driven dangerously then report it to the police as TFL will just brush it under the carpet (bus driver overtook then pulled into a cyclist outside work and drove off, we had a subject access request for our out side CCTV as TFL refused to provide it to the cyclist).
Traffic planning doesn't help matters with people's view of bus drivers as the roads in London have recently been redesigned to make it impossible to pass bus stops when the bus is stationary as they have extended pavements to remove the pull in points for buses and also repeatedly extended the opening hours of the bus lanes.
Busses have so many cameras on them these days that it would be stupid for a bus driver to deliberately drive dangerously but they still do as they are only human and under a high stress environment.
When you have an accident with a bus that has been driven dangerously then report it to the police as TFL will just brush it under the carpet (bus driver overtook then pulled into a cyclist outside work and drove off, we had a subject access request for our out side CCTV as TFL refused to provide it to the cyclist).
Venturist said:
Algarve said:
When nobody wants to be stuck behind you, you have no option but to bully your way into traffic.
For 12 seconds before halting at the next stopIf you’re in that much of a hurry on the roads maybe try avoiding London?
I spend a lot of time driving around London and have made the following observations about buses.
Red traffic lights are optional.
Mirror use is optional ( indicate, pull out immediately even if there is a vehicle passing or more usually nothing behind me as I approach, meaning that they could have waited a couple of seconds and safely pulled out behind me. I have also seen them do this to emergency vehicles that have all the lights and sirens going).
At any junction with 2 lanes to go straight ahead, the bus must be placed across both lanes in order to prevent anyone passing them (on the occasions that they have stopped at the red light in the first place).
The Addison Lee/ Uber brigade refuse to actually park, just stopping wherever they want for as long as they want, even when there are spaces. They are also appalling for 3 point turns in the middle of busy main roads, on bends etc. At least when the Black cabs turn around in stupid places, they can do it in one go.
Red traffic lights are optional.
Mirror use is optional ( indicate, pull out immediately even if there is a vehicle passing or more usually nothing behind me as I approach, meaning that they could have waited a couple of seconds and safely pulled out behind me. I have also seen them do this to emergency vehicles that have all the lights and sirens going).
At any junction with 2 lanes to go straight ahead, the bus must be placed across both lanes in order to prevent anyone passing them (on the occasions that they have stopped at the red light in the first place).
The Addison Lee/ Uber brigade refuse to actually park, just stopping wherever they want for as long as they want, even when there are spaces. They are also appalling for 3 point turns in the middle of busy main roads, on bends etc. At least when the Black cabs turn around in stupid places, they can do it in one go.
Thankfully never had to nor probably ever will have to drive in London but just to add some balance, Edinburgh bus drivers on the whole are pretty decent. Like has been said, a level of controlled aggression is needed or you'll neber get anywhere. Ubers and private hire taxis driven by chaps who look like they're on their first driving lesson are by far the worst and should be given a wide berth. Zero awareness at all... just drive and pray, literally.
giantdefy said:
Billy_Whizzzz said:
HGV drivers are far worse in terms of delusions of importance and agression to other drivers
and use of mobile phonesMention that over in Commercial Break and you’ll be bombarded with abuse about how the trucking fraternity is fuelling the economy by delivering cream cakes to M&S.
Pericoloso said:
National Express drivers stay in L2 for the whole "mad mile " A217 northbound or else no one will let them get into L2 at the end to take the right fork into Sutton.
Doesn't bother me as I always want the left fork.
I know, one tried to kill me there last year. He pushed me up onto the roundabout, it was very very close. Cock in a coach vs a Renault twingo, top of his wheel was head height to me....Doesn't bother me as I always want the left fork.
untakenname said:
When not in a rush I usually flash buses out as long as they aren't a really new double deckers thathabr been speed limited by Tfl.
Traffic planning doesn't help matters with people's view of bus drivers as the roads in London have recently been redesigned to make it impossible to pass bus stops when the bus is stationary as they have extended pavements to remove the pull in points for buses and also repeatedly extended the opening hours of the bus lanes.
Busses have so many cameras on them these days that it would be stupid for a bus driver to deliberately drive dangerously but they still do as they are only human and under a high stress environment.
When you have an accident with a bus that has been driven dangerously then report it to the police as TFL will just brush it under the carpet (bus driver overtook then pulled into a cyclist outside work and drove off, we had a subject access request for our out side CCTV as TFL refused to provide it to the cyclist).
TfL oversee the bus network and regulate things like fares and timetables but they do not own or operate any of the buses or employ any bus drivers. That’ll be the various companies like First, Stagecoach, etc and whilst they should operate to a set standard (the Red Book) any complaints will be forwarded to them for investigation and resolution.Traffic planning doesn't help matters with people's view of bus drivers as the roads in London have recently been redesigned to make it impossible to pass bus stops when the bus is stationary as they have extended pavements to remove the pull in points for buses and also repeatedly extended the opening hours of the bus lanes.
Busses have so many cameras on them these days that it would be stupid for a bus driver to deliberately drive dangerously but they still do as they are only human and under a high stress environment.
When you have an accident with a bus that has been driven dangerously then report it to the police as TFL will just brush it under the carpet (bus driver overtook then pulled into a cyclist outside work and drove off, we had a subject access request for our out side CCTV as TFL refused to provide it to the cyclist).
Trust me, TfL will not brush it under the carpet as that means being accountable for the complaint to begin with and its resolution. They will pass it on quickly and leave it for the bus company to resolve and as far as TfL are concerned, it’s a box ticked and move on to the next one.
Oh and yeah, Uber are a plague on London’s roads.
valiant said:
untakenname said:
When not in a rush I usually flash buses out as long as they aren't a really new double deckers thathabr been speed limited by Tfl.
Traffic planning doesn't help matters with people's view of bus drivers as the roads in London have recently been redesigned to make it impossible to pass bus stops when the bus is stationary as they have extended pavements to remove the pull in points for buses and also repeatedly extended the opening hours of the bus lanes.
Busses have so many cameras on them these days that it would be stupid for a bus driver to deliberately drive dangerously but they still do as they are only human and under a high stress environment.
When you have an accident with a bus that has been driven dangerously then report it to the police as TFL will just brush it under the carpet (bus driver overtook then pulled into a cyclist outside work and drove off, we had a subject access request for our out side CCTV as TFL refused to provide it to the cyclist).
TfL oversee the bus network and regulate things like fares and timetables but they do not own or operate any of the buses or employ any bus drivers. That’ll be the various companies like First, Stagecoach, etc and whilst they should operate to a set standard (the Red Book) any complaints will be forwarded to them for investigation and resolution.Traffic planning doesn't help matters with people's view of bus drivers as the roads in London have recently been redesigned to make it impossible to pass bus stops when the bus is stationary as they have extended pavements to remove the pull in points for buses and also repeatedly extended the opening hours of the bus lanes.
Busses have so many cameras on them these days that it would be stupid for a bus driver to deliberately drive dangerously but they still do as they are only human and under a high stress environment.
When you have an accident with a bus that has been driven dangerously then report it to the police as TFL will just brush it under the carpet (bus driver overtook then pulled into a cyclist outside work and drove off, we had a subject access request for our out side CCTV as TFL refused to provide it to the cyclist).
Trust me, TfL will not brush it under the carpet as that means being accountable for the complaint to begin with and its resolution. They will pass it on quickly and leave it for the bus company to resolve and as far as TfL are concerned, it’s a box ticked and move on to the next one.
Oh and yeah, Uber are a plague on London’s roads.
Bus drivers also like to have a chat with a colleague driving in the opposite direction to him on the same route, regardless of traffic. Sometimes they do this at bus stops, depending on their mood
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