martine wrote:Grumpy bus driver is not exactly news I suppose (apologies to the bus drivers here) but this morning I was travelling past a school with a compulsory 20 limit and traffic calming. I approached a chicane at 20 and a bus driver waiting the other way (I had priority) made an angry face at me and gesticulated to 'get on with it'.
Let me see now...we were passing a school at just gone 9am in a 20 limit and I was doing 20...what did I do wrong?
Ignorant and selfish car driver is not exactly news I suppose (apologies to the car drivers here) but on Saturday afternoon I was traveling along the A8 heading for South Gyle in the nearside lane when a car driver emerging from a junction looked to his right, saw me approaching at 40Mph in a Toyota Optimo V (Salvador Catano) 22 seat coach (I had priority), then proceeded to pull into the path of the coach endangering 18 members of the public who were traveling aboard the rail replacement service, a car in the outer lane which was slowly over taking the coach presumably exceeding the speed limit as my tachograph recorder is 100% accurate, the emerging driver did not even show any acknowledgement of how I skilfully was able quickly execute and escape plan to avoid heavy braking which would have possibly injured some of my passengers.
Let me se now...We were traveling along a two lane carriageway subject to a 40Mph speed limit and I was doing 40Mph and the emerging car was behind a giveway double dotted line!
So my post will have no doubt have offended a number of car drivers, but what may confuse the issue is that I myself am a car driver. This post was made in response to a post which stereotypes bus drivers, I am not a bus driver however prior to becoming a coach driver I gained PCV driving experience as a bus driver.
The explanation for my post is put the point across that stereotyping groups of motorists creates a culture of discontent between the individuals who use the roads which inevitably leads to poor judgment, ignorance which on the roads will increase danger.
Now I would like to conclude this section of my post by pointing out that I have met some very professional, skilful and courteous bus drivers, some of which take such an interest in their driving that they have joined some advanced motoring and road safety organisations and remain committed to maintaining high standards of driving and professionalism. Interestingly I have met a few car drivers who have a similar interest in driving and road safety, there are probably a large number who read this forum.
So I would now like to cancel two statements "Grumpy bus driver is not exactly news"
"Ignorant and selfish car driver is not exactly news"
... and post my opinion of the situation regarding the unpleasantness of one bus driver. The traffic calming measure seems to promote discontent amongst motorists, this bus drivers attitude appears have displayed a great deal of ignorance and unprofessionalism, you would be well within you rights to forward a complaint to his employer if you were offended.
Best wishes.
actually I do make plenty of mistakes driving (ask Gareth or Mr. Toad someday about mountains) but in this case...I really think I was in 'the right' and yes, the bus driver was being an arse (hole or not).