7 replies to this topic

[wittonend]

It's not unusual to see drivers around Amersham using their mobiles. However I was concerned yesterday evening to see an Arriva bus driver taking his eyes off the road to read or send a text while taking the sharp left turn at the top of Stanley Hill near the railway line. Not only is this a dangerous bend on a busy road but during term time there are also plenty of children going to and from the Amersham and St George's schools. The bus was too dirty for me to catch the reg. or route number so reporting him to the company would be difficult but I couldn't believe a professional driver could endanger his passengers, other road users and pedestrians in such an illegal way.

[Matthew (MPJ/Admin)]

If you can confirm the date and time and advise Ariva they should be able to work out the driver. I think there is only one Ariva bus route that goes that way. Concerning to hear about this

[PeterC]

The bus was too dirty for me to catch the reg. or route number so reporting him to the company would be difficult

According to the Transport for Bucks route map the only Arriva route serving Stanley Hill is the 62.

[Fran]

If you can confirm the date and time and advise Ariva they should be able to work out the driver.

Absolutely. I think it's a serious matter, so very much worth reporting, even if you can't be very precise.

[PaulEden]

but I couldn't believe a professional driver could endanger his passengers, other road users and pedestrians in such an illegal way.

Me too. Check out this chap, also using his phone in roadworks while speeding.

[wittonend]

The following evening after seeing the texting bus driver I saw the driver of a white BMW using his mobile phone coming around the same corner and this lunchtime the driver of a JCB digger. He wasn't slowly ambling along, the digger was going at what I assume would be about top speed for that type of vehicle and the driver was texting someone with one hand and driving with the other while negotiating the bend. It's not that I wait at the top of Stanley Hill waiting to spot these people, I walk along there to the allotment once a day. In addition, during the three minutes it takes from Stanley Hill to my front door a white van man and a young woman also drove past making phone calls. It's pretty obvious that these people know that there is only a very small chance of them being caught and couldn't give a damn about the law.

[Eaton]

Wittonend you've hit the nail on the head. There is such a low possibility of being caught that they believe that it is worth the risk, afterall they have never had an accident while using a mobile phone or texting - yet!

I have bluetooth inbuilt in my car but still don't particularly like talking on the phone when I'm driving, in fact if someone does ring me I will often say I'm just entering an area with no reception I'll call you back so that I don't have to chat to them.

[Zoom]

Definitely worth reporting to the bus company about their driver... in some cases they could be held liable and I'd be surprised if it wasn't a disciplinary offence