Just got side-swiped by a school-bus....

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Just got side-swiped by a school-bus....

55 posts & 38 voices | Started 4 months ago by ir_bandito | Latest reply from Speshpaul

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zerocool - Member

Write to the Bus Company asking for an apology. They'll investigate who the driver is and probably reprimand and deal with him internally. I had to investigate loads of similar complaints and accidents when I worked for Stage Coach Devon. Often it will involve the driver being sent back to their driving school for reassessment. It could even leave to disciplinary action for the driver depending on previous history.

At the least you'll get an apology. Give them as much info as possible, bus number, reg, description of driver, location and time.

Tom Kp

Posted 4 months ago #
zerocool - Member

Also, just remember that buses and lorries have massive blind spots. And cyclists are dry difficult to see at times. This is no way excusing the driver, and his attitude afterwards was terrible.

Remember the majority of bus drivers are sensible decent folk, it's just a minority that cause the problems.

Tom kP

Posted 4 months ago #
ir_bandito - Member

Blind spot or no, I was wearing a hi-viz jacket and had my Trout'd Hope lights on. The only blind spot was not actually looking in his wing mirror.

Posted 4 months ago #
foxyrider - Member

I would contact the bus company directly and ask to speak to someone in charge - be nice (gets you further) and suggest you would pass on your advice that the driver should be more careful next time - and spell out the consequences if you had not been quick to make emergency manoeuvres etc?

If they get shirty then you are happy to push it further as you have a witness and can easily get the police involved?

Posted 4 months ago #
blades2000 - Member

Glad your ok Paul. Hope that the driver of the bus realises what he has done and how different the situation could have been, even if that is after an intervention from the police.

Posted 4 months ago #
ir_bandito - Member

cheers Nick

Posted 4 months ago #
Aidy - Member

I reported an incident to the police after being knocked off my bike and assaulted.

They politely listened, got the driver in for a chat.

Then they told me that if I continued making a nuisance of myself they'd be after me for breach of the public order because I had the nerve to shout back at the driver.

Posted 4 months ago #
gixer.john - Member

I would also have contacted the bus operator and reminded them of the drivers responsibilities under The Health And safety act 1974, as well as The Road Traffic Act. It tends to make the person on the end of the phone pay a bit of attention if you can let them know you know a fair bit about legal responsibilities of employers as well as employees. Council would have to investigate if you made a complaint to them.

I had a similar experience with a coach which tried to squeeze past me as i was going through a reduced width carraigeway, which was reduced as part of the traffic calming measures - didn't calm me down

Posted 4 months ago #
bigyinn - Member

Aidy - Member

I reported an incident to the police after being knocked off my bike and assaulted.

They politely listened, got the driver in for a chat.

Then they told me that if I continued making a nuisance of myself they'd be after me for breach of the public order because I had the nerve to shout back at the driver.

Im hoping there's more to that story than you're telling us,otherwise something is VERY wrong.

Posted 4 months ago #
Aidy - Member

Im hoping there's more to that story than you're telling us,otherwise something is VERY wrong.

Oh, I did mis-speak and say that I was "angry" that they were choosing not to take any action, which they interpreted to be an action of aggression and indicative that I probably caused the entire thing, apparently.

Posted 4 months ago #
Coyote - Member

Remember the majority of bus drivers are sensible decent folk, it's just a minority that cause the problems

You won't be familiar with Arriva drivers then?

Posted 4 months ago #
ir_bandito - Member

Just seen the friendly plod.

Bus driver has been officially interviewed, he claims he saw me and gave me enough space (which he did once I had got off the road)

Due to clean license record, and the fact he's bricking it, he's getting a formal caution.

Be interesting to see how he overtakes me on monday morning....

Posted 4 months ago #
ron jeremy - Member

helmet cam for monday morning?

smile and a cheery wave...

Posted 4 months ago #
wwaswas - Member

get your neighbour to follow the bus, just in case...

good result, I think, and well done to you for pursuing it.

Posted 4 months ago #
ir_bandito - Member

Ultimatley, he didn't actually cause an accident (through my preventative action) so he could only be penalsied for careless driving. According to the plod, he's so shook up, it should have sunk in not to risk it again.

But... what helmet cam for commuting?

Posted 4 months ago #
poly - Member

Police officer is a cyclist and is going to take him to court for points or driver safety course.

Just seen the friendly plod.

Bus driver has been officially interviewed, he claims he saw me and gave me enough space (which he did once I had got off the road)

mmm... so "plod" has ~~realised that in fact its not HIS decisions to take to court and pursue for points or course~~ changed his view on the incident.

If his bus touched your bike or you fell off the bike and he didn't stop at the scene of the accident to exchange details etc then I'd expect a very serious response. It sounds like he simply caused you to swerve and stop - so the response is probably proportionate.

And not trying to take the bus drivers side - but I bet you don't approach that traffic island leaving enough room for him to even consider an overtake on Monday!

Posted 4 months ago #
mattsccm - Member

I believe the onus is on the overtaking vehicle to deal with the space and timing of the manouver as long as the other vehicle maintains a steady and predictable course. With allowance for emergencies etc.

Posted 4 months ago #
bigyinn - Member

How was it this morning for you ir_bandito?

Posted 4 months ago #
gwaelod - Member

http://thecyclingsilk.blogspot.com/2012/01/sorry-but-is-sorry-always-good-enough.html

Getting cyclists off the roads maybe what drivers like this are seeking to achieve. There is an overwhelming public interest in ensuring that they do not succeed. This ought to rank above the job security of professional drivers who prove themselves to be temperamentally unsuited to their work.

Posted 4 months ago #
Speshpaul - Member

"I believe the onus is on the overtaking vehicle to deal with the space and timing of the manouver as long as the other vehicle maintains a steady and predictable course."

Thats a message that seems to have been lost by most drivers.

Anyways, sounds like a good result. Maybe the bus drivers experience will have an effect on his driving (a positive one and the message may leak out to some of his fellow drivers.

Posted 4 months ago #

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