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Original poster

Would you complain? or report bus driver?

28 replies

pupuce · 15/10/2003 20:32

This morning I had to get DS (with DD in tow) to school by bus !
The driver hit a side view mirror of a lorry (the lorry was badly parked but still..... there is no mirror left!) I cannot believe the driver did not notice as everyone else in the bus looked - it was noisy! We drove on....

Then he got a call on his mobile and drove for at least 5 mins whilst on the phone.... he had to brake (fairly hard) twice as he was in heavy traffic... and only one hand on steering wheel...

I think this dangerous... should I complain/report him to the bus company ?

OP posts:
sibble · 15/10/2003 20:39

I had a similar situation once, a driver on his mobile, breaking sharply, nearly missed somebody on a crossing etc when DS was tiny and rang the bus company. They took the details but I don't think they were interested in the slightest and I never heard anything again. Do what you think you need to do.

3GirlsMum · 15/10/2003 20:40

I would definitely report him, what awful driving. I had a bus pull right out on my once at a roundabout and when I beeped my horn at him he slammed on his brakes and just stayed where he was shouting abuse out the window at me! I phoned and reported him to the bus station and I had to go down there and sign a statement to tell them what happened and he was cautioned.

Just imagine if he was doing this and hit someone or worse!

bran · 15/10/2003 20:42

I definitely would. Anything could have happened while he wasn't in full control of the bus, what if a child had run onto the road. Or what if the lorry he hit hadn't had it's handbrake on, it could have been pushed onto the pavement and hit a pedestrian. The driver has a responsibility to do his job without endangering his passengers or other road users.

Original poster
pupuce · 15/10/2003 20:43

DH said I shouyld have asked to be let out and ring the company right there and then - .... but I had the 2 kids and needed to bring DS to school.... men how impractical

OP posts:
kmg1 · 15/10/2003 20:54

About 18 months ago I was on a bus with two littlies (2 and 4) and the driver drove dangerously, which came close to causing injury to ds2. When I complained he became verbally abusive, and threatening Other passengers agreed with me, and actually gave me their numbers as potential witnesses if necessary. I didn't find it an easy decision to report him, because it might have cost him his job. When I requested his name, he refused to give it, so I reasoned that he must not have a clean record anyway. I did report him, and had a prompt response back that they would look into it. Subsequently I heard from the company again that he had been called in for interview, and had been 'disciplined' ...

I should point out though that in subsequent weeks and months I always felt nervous getting on a bus, and would never have boarded a bus if he had been driving! But I guess that is just illustrative of the fact that he wasn't a suitable character to be in charge of a bus. His attitude really scared me, as well as his driving.

Fortunately we moved shortly afterwards, so don't have to worry about it any more!

WideWebWitch · 15/10/2003 23:08

Yes, I'd complain. Illegal and dangerous and lots of lives at risk.

SofiaAmes · 15/10/2003 23:32

Definitely complain, but don't expect much to happen. The last time I complained about a bus driver who ran a red light and then flipped me off, the bus company said that he was probably having a bad day and it was too hard to get drivers and they couldn't really do anythign about it!
I forget, are you in London? cc the letter to Mayor Ken.

Original poster
pupuce · 15/10/2003 23:36

Not in London but WILL complain..... it's only 1 phone call way !
Thanks !

OP posts:
mammya · 15/10/2003 23:41

If you're in London you can complain online here , although pupuce I seem to remember you're not in London. someone else might find the link useful though.

mammya · 15/10/2003 23:45

Pupuce you were too quick for me!

bobthebaby · 16/10/2003 03:27

I was on a bus that hit a man (he was drunk and kind of walked into the bus - but still the drive should have stopped IMO). I went to the police station - but they didn't seem interested. Anyway the chain of events immediately after that led to meeting my dh. Still annoyed that even though all the passengers were screaming etc. he carried on.

FairyMum · 16/10/2003 07:32

I would have reported it. Talking on your mobile is illegal, isn't it?

waterbaby · 16/10/2003 08:30

I would report it, so many people talk on their mobile and it really annoys me. I mean, just because you can physically do it quite easily, isn't the point is it? Its the lack of concentration etc.

I reported an AA man for the same thing - also had to fight with him to put child seat in his cab (DD was 6mo) (In my day, they all sat on our laps and were fine etc etc). When he answered his mobile and went over the top of a mini-roundabout, scattering cars left right and centre I freaked out and asked to be transfered to another driver. It held us up for about an hour and a half, but was worth it IMO. We also got a years free membership because we challenged in writing their family friendly policy...

waterbaby · 16/10/2003 08:34

Go on BTB, you can't leave us dangling in suspense, how did you meet your DH? Was he a) the drunk, b) the driver, c) the policeman or d)another passanger you clung to in terror? Or e)none of the above...

doormat · 16/10/2003 08:38

pupuce I would definitely complain, as others have said here it could of turned out worse.
Hope you are ok?

Podmog · 16/10/2003 08:43

Message withdrawn

waterbaby · 16/10/2003 08:55

Gish podmog, thats a horrible experience. Were you ok?

waterbaby · 16/10/2003 08:58

I think its good to remember that they probably won't get sacked etc for ONE offence, but if it is happening lots of times, and generating lots of complaints then disciplinary measures are fair play IMO. Don't put off complaining in case the blokes having a bad day etc, his bosses will take that itnto account. I would put it in writing too, and keep a copy. CC'ing the local paper sometimes helps if they don't acknowledge the incident....

Original poster
pupuce · 16/10/2003 09:49

I have called to complain - was told it was a serious offence and they are NOT allowed to use mobiles ! The men on the phone "seemed" genuine.
I was asked to put complain in writing... so I will !

OP posts:
waterbaby · 16/10/2003 09:57

Great, well done - I'm glad they recieved it well, sound like a good company.

Podmog · 16/10/2003 10:58

Message withdrawn

3GirlsMum · 16/10/2003 13:20

Good for you pupuce will be interested to hear what happens as they should let you know. x

WedgiesMum · 16/10/2003 13:41

Well done Pupuce. I complained aboutterrible driving a couple of months ago and got a really good response including apology from the bus company, who let me know that the driver had been disciplined, retrained, and was under supervision - made me feel much better.

sibble · 16/10/2003 20:30

Glad you did Pupuce. Hope they follow it through for you. I was really angry when they dismissed my complaint at the time but it wouldn't stop me reporting somebody again. As another poster said if it was the first time they had been reported they will not be sacked but if there have been a number of complaints they shouldn't be doing the job - dangerously.

tigermoth · 16/10/2003 23:04

In our local paper, in SE London, a bus driver has just been given a two and a half year jail sentence for driving without due care and attention and causing the death of a 4 year old boy who was on the pavement.

He was driving his bus in very the narrow Peckham streets near the Pulse, I believe, when a van veered in front of him. He tried to manoeuvre his bus to edge away the van, and did so without thought of road safely, according to witnesses. He lost control and the bus careered into pedestrains - a pregnant mother and her son. The boy was dragged along the road without the driver stopping, to the dismay of his mother and those on the bus. Apparently it was a case of road rage on the part of the bus driver.

So yes, pupuce, do report the driver.