Bus Drivers...
Discussion
Can any of you Bus Drivers on here help me understand why you think banging your indicator on gives you the immediate right to pull into traffic, regardless of what is there?
7 times today I have to slam on the brakes because of bus drivers, indicating and pulling out when I'm basically already alongside them.
Anyone?
7 times today I have to slam on the brakes because of bus drivers, indicating and pulling out when I'm basically already alongside them.
Anyone?
some angry with life because they are a Bus Driver?! You hear quite often on buses the driver swearing like he has tourettes at other road users. Often think of complaining, but then decide not to and hope another passenger does. Very profesional way to carry on. I suppose it is the frustration that they are driving said bus?!..piloting a big hulk of metal is probably the only time some of them get to be first/win..
xreyuk said:
Can any of you Bus Drivers on here help me understand why you think banging your indicator on gives you the immediate right to pull into traffic, regardless of what is there?
7 times today I have to slam on the brakes because of bus drivers, indicating and pulling out when I'm basically already alongside them.
Anyone?
7 times ? Really ?7 times today I have to slam on the brakes because of bus drivers, indicating and pulling out when I'm basically already alongside them.
Anyone?
Maybe your anticipation and forward planning need looking at.
Just saying.
I am not a bus driver BTW,just glad it's not the weekly trucker bashing thread.
I'm not a bus driver but I'm in the feral ends of PH (enough so that I regularly get a bus around when I'm going out for a beer), and you kind of have to cut them some slack. Their day consists of dealing with pissed up teenagers, pikies, and other unemployed people (the elderly aren't that bad), they drive a massive slow thing and nobody lets them out. Combined with their tight schedules that they sometimes try to adhere to (;)) you can't blame them for trying to get going on the roads.
All in all, they're not as bad as private hire drivers.
All in all, they're not as bad as private hire drivers.
Car drivers are ignorant and selfish, they have no time to let the bus full of people out, instead their individual journey is much more important. The bus drivers probably do this because no one will let them out so they have to force their way out instead. But saying that, I have encountered the situation the OP describes once that I can recall and I have seen it happen once, if it happened to me 7 times in a single journey I think I would consider giving up driving.
I'm not a fan of bus drivers particularly, not because they just pull out in front of you, I don't like them as the majority just do not acknowledge you with a little wave of thanks when you are giving way to them, regardless of who's right of way it is.
As for just pulling out, I seem to remember something somewhere, perhaps in the Highway Code, that says buses have the right of way when pulling out of bus stops, can anyone confirm that?
As for just pulling out, I seem to remember something somewhere, perhaps in the Highway Code, that says buses have the right of way when pulling out of bus stops, can anyone confirm that?
I think it says something along the lines of "please give way to the bus", so it's a request and not law.
As for the OP, well I usually try and give car drivers as much courtesy I can, but when I'm sat there with my indicator on and several cars floor it and speed up to get past and prevent you from pulling out, it starts to take the piss. I usually let about 3 cars past and then I'll start to push my way out. I don't just floor it and hope for the best but the trick is to make it look like you are and force people to be made aware of you presence, or you'll be sat there all day.
I don't think people are aware just how slow busses are, the newer ones especially.
As for the OP, well I usually try and give car drivers as much courtesy I can, but when I'm sat there with my indicator on and several cars floor it and speed up to get past and prevent you from pulling out, it starts to take the piss. I usually let about 3 cars past and then I'll start to push my way out. I don't just floor it and hope for the best but the trick is to make it look like you are and force people to be made aware of you presence, or you'll be sat there all day.
I don't think people are aware just how slow busses are, the newer ones especially.
3 car rule? Some drivers play it (doesn't have to be 3 btw) but as turbanator said, nose out, try get into traffic, if not floor it.
I always give thanks be it a wave, thumbs up or a hazard flash as I do appreciate that I may have just f
ked someone off.
We're all on the road together and I'm driving a big heavy vehicle that's not the quickest thing off the start (even though I've got huge cc's, twin turbos AND rwd) pig iron and passengers inc.
Please give us a gap to get into 'cos we'll be pulling in after 50 yards and you'll be past hopefully.
On the other foot...
Tonight I'm in traffic travelling about 3-4 lengths behind the car in front at around 20ish mph after setting off from temp traffic lights and a clio pulls in front. Now I'm in 2nd about 50% turbo when he nips in and I'm accelerating nicely so I back off pls remember I've got passengers so I try not to brake and let him accelerate away.
Oh no he thinks I'm too close so slows down, I'm off the throttle as I knew that I needed space for the next set of temp lights at the bottom of a big hill around the next corner.
Lights are at red and through forward planning I've made a good 10 car gap anticipating the lights as they change to green.
Clio pulls away swiftly so I carry on through at half throttle catching him up slowly in low speed 3rd gear so high revs to keep my momentum and turbo... If decided to stop put it in first and cane it.
Had to brake lost all my power and crept up the hill at 15mph with a queue of traffic behind.
So anyone caught behind me I'm sorry. I'd have been twice as quick if a car driver hadn't held me up.
Sorry it's slightly OT but there's alway two sides.
I always give thanks be it a wave, thumbs up or a hazard flash as I do appreciate that I may have just f
ked someone off.We're all on the road together and I'm driving a big heavy vehicle that's not the quickest thing off the start (even though I've got huge cc's, twin turbos AND rwd) pig iron and passengers inc.
Please give us a gap to get into 'cos we'll be pulling in after 50 yards and you'll be past hopefully.
On the other foot...
Tonight I'm in traffic travelling about 3-4 lengths behind the car in front at around 20ish mph after setting off from temp traffic lights and a clio pulls in front. Now I'm in 2nd about 50% turbo when he nips in and I'm accelerating nicely so I back off pls remember I've got passengers so I try not to brake and let him accelerate away.
Oh no he thinks I'm too close so slows down, I'm off the throttle as I knew that I needed space for the next set of temp lights at the bottom of a big hill around the next corner.
Lights are at red and through forward planning I've made a good 10 car gap anticipating the lights as they change to green.
Clio pulls away swiftly so I carry on through at half throttle catching him up slowly in low speed 3rd gear so high revs to keep my momentum and turbo... If decided to stop put it in first and cane it.
Had to brake lost all my power and crept up the hill at 15mph with a queue of traffic behind.
So anyone caught behind me I'm sorry. I'd have been twice as quick if a car driver hadn't held me up.
Sorry it's slightly OT but there's alway two sides.
boweslion said:
Car drivers are ignorant and selfish, they have no time to let the bus full of people out, instead their individual journey is much more important. The bus drivers probably do this because no one will let them out so they have to force their way out instead. But saying that, I have encountered the situation the OP describes once that I can recall and I have seen it happen once, if it happened to me 7 times in a single journey I think I would consider giving up driving.
A bus *full* of people? Since when are the phalanxes of busses that clog up the roads ever full? boweslion said:
Car drivers are ignorant and selfish, they have no time to let the bus full of people out, instead their individual journey is much more important. The bus drivers probably do this because no one will let them out so they have to force their way out instead. But saying that, I have encountered the situation the OP describes once that I can recall and I have seen it happen once, if it happened to me 7 times in a single journey I think I would consider giving up driving.
Go for a drive in London then. You'll see it at least 7 times. My other pet hat is the way they block yellow hatched junctions in London. Almost like they're exempt....Highway code rule 198. 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.
If it was infront of you, you were obeying the speed limit and observing the road correctly then you wouldnt be getting into these situations
I fking hate busses.
If it was infront of you, you were obeying the speed limit and observing the road correctly then you wouldnt be getting into these situations
I f
king hate busses.Gixer said:
boweslion said:
Car drivers are ignorant and selfish, they have no time to let the bus full of people out, instead their individual journey is much more important. The bus drivers probably do this because no one will let them out so they have to force their way out instead. But saying that, I have encountered the situation the OP describes once that I can recall and I have seen it happen once, if it happened to me 7 times in a single journey I think I would consider giving up driving.
Go for a drive in London then. You'll see it at least 7 times. My other pet hat is the way they block yellow hatched junctions in London. Almost like they're exempt....You get to know the routes and junctions very well though. Some you know you can leave clear and some you know you have no choice but to block the junction off, or you'll never get across.
From what I was told when learning to drive car drivers are taught defensive driving, larger vehicles have to be taught aggressive driving. So pulling away from a stop the routine is turn wheel to the right , indicate, move an inch or two and then see if it's caused the cars to give you a gap. Working on the m'way in the car too, nobody letting you out, start drifting but stay in your lane, people soon give way then 
TheTurbonator said:
I understand it can be annoying but again, sometimes you have no choice. I always try and avoid it but don't forget, a bus is nearly 40ft long and about 3-4 car lengths. You can be sat on the edge of a box junction and a large enough gap on the other will never appear. Cars coming from other directions, will always join the back of the queue.
You get to know the routes and junctions very well though. Some you know you can leave clear and some you know you have no choice but to block the junction off, or you'll never get across.
I see what you're saying but no, there is usually no attempt to wait, they block them straight away all the time. Just like theres no attempt to wait when pulling out. Indicator on and out, even if there are stationary cars alongside. My wife had to get a bus from Victoria to Knightsbridge for a while. She couldn't believe the language shouted from the driver, the amount of road rage on her short trip each day and the fact that on more than one occasion the driver got out his plexiglas box to go and have a fight. Sometimes with passengers and other times with car drivers. This made the journey so unreliable that in the end she walked instead which was often quicker. You get to know the routes and junctions very well though. Some you know you can leave clear and some you know you have no choice but to block the junction off, or you'll never get across.
Quite a contrast to her daily commute on coach.
Diderot said:
boweslion said:
Car drivers are ignorant and selfish, they have no time to let the bus full of people out, instead their individual journey is much more important. The bus drivers probably do this because no one will let them out so they have to force their way out instead. But saying that, I have encountered the situation the OP describes once that I can recall and I have seen it happen once, if it happened to me 7 times in a single journey I think I would consider giving up driving.
A bus *full* of people? Since when are the phalanxes of busses that clog up the roads ever full? Can someone also clarify why Buses in and around London drive in the middle of the road? often causing traffic on the other side of the road to have to pull in or stop in a gap.
I would like to add that this happens on roads where there is plenty of space for the Bus to be on its side of the road and not half of the oncoming traffics side.
its quite daunting when you see a huge double decker travelling towards you as if your not there, and thinking 'I really have no where to go here'
I would like to add that this happens on roads where there is plenty of space for the Bus to be on its side of the road and not half of the oncoming traffics side.
its quite daunting when you see a huge double decker travelling towards you as if your not there, and thinking 'I really have no where to go here'
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