I reckon the BMW is squeezing through. Looks to me like the bus hit the car whilst turning .
Yeah…Definitely the bus drivers fault.
gardun:
DonutUK:
First point - they are not pulling out with impunity, they are indicating to leave a bus stop They are indicating to pull into moving traffic, from where is irrelevant. , other road users are choosing to ignore the rules of the road i.e. the Highway Code The Highwway Code does not constitute the rules of the road no matter how many times you say it, so they have to resort to using their vehicle to influence other road users behaviour EXACTLY how they were taught to do. Where the problem lies is not with the bus driver that pulls out directly into the path of an oncoming car, but where the bus is already half way out of a stop having seen a gap where they can pull out into If that is the case there was not sufficient room, so he should not be obstructing the highway. That said, I would probably do the same in slow moving traffic, and the car driver then refuses to wait, or worse speeds up, and tries to go round the bus as it is pulling out. In this instance i would like to see the motorist defend their actions by stating the Highway Code isn’t law! That was not the original point. The motorist in this case would be quite wrong (although not technically breaking the law)
Most of the time, the 3 car rule means that you end up angling your bus into traffic in an attempt to register in the dullard minds of other motorists that you are trying to get out, unfortunately everyone likes to play “beat the bus”.2nd point - WRONG! The very subject we are discussing suggest that actually a reasonable and competent bus driver does have an expectation that traffic should give way to them, after all, it is written in the bible of safe driving that is quoted by courts across the land…the Highway Code. It’s not written in my bible of safe driving that I MUST give way to them, and neither should they assume that they have a right to expect it.
I just love the IAM types…all full of righteous indignation that they are only purveyors of all things safe and good on the road. Why is it whenever i am stuck behind a Rover 75 on a Sunday doing 35 mph on a NSL single carriageway, they always seem to a ROSPA or IAM sticker in the car? Obviously you know nothing about “Roadcraft”, the book and principal on which advanced driving is based. Making progress (e.g. maintaining the speed limit where safe to do) is a basic principal. I will happily take you for a demonstration drive and explain it to you. I find that very few members have badges anymore, and I have never seen an IAM or Rospa member driving in that manner, although I’m sure one or two do
I’ll concede that the 3 car rule may not be polite or courteous, however it is never going to change until other motorists change their blinkered attitude towards public transport and realise that actually the 3 or 4 minutes you might lose travelling behind a bus is totally inconsequential in the grand scheme of things…whereas the poor bus driver has to explain why he is late, probably involving writing a report, put up with the whinging from the passengers because he is late etc etc. I don’t have a blinkered view of public transport, and contrary to your suggestions I am normally courteous and considerate towards them. I also let them out of bus stops provided they don’t try to bully their way out
And for the record, i believe the same priority should be given to HGV’s as well…after all, they have a job to do, which can have similar time constraints!
For the record I don’t believe anyone should receive special treatment with the exception of emergency vehicles; I do my best to maintain the flow of traffic as best I can by being considerate, looking/planning ahead. I am not perfect, but I try to be! You have mis-judged my attitude and assumed that I will not allow buses out, that I along with everyone else (can’t speak for them, sorry) want to play “beat the bus”, etc. That is wrong, as is your assertion that the Highway Code is law.
Funny, because i could have sworn “Roadcraft” was what i had to study when i passed a Police driving course many years ago.
bigvern1:
DonutUK:
gardun:
DonutUK:
gardun:
shuttlespanker:
this is not a new rule, it has been there for yearsit states that you give way to buses wanting to pull away from the bus stop
Highway Code “Rule” 223
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.It doesn’t mention must or even should - it is not a rule; merely advice. I don’t understand why buses should get priority anyway; they get their own lanes in many towns. I appreciate that they think they are more important than the rest of us but then I think I am more important
However, that “advice” is considered when you are prosecuted for dangerous driving, careless driving etc. The Highway Code is considered to be “best practice” if you like, and if you are not in accordance with it and something happens, do not be too surprised if a court finds against you. They may well consider that your failure to drive in line with the Code falls below a standard which is reasonably expected.
If failing to observe the “Code” could be classed as dangerous or careless I agree, although I would also refer to Roadcraft if applicable. However, letting a bus pull out of a bus-stop (or not) is not, in my opinion, a matter of safety (dangerous) or even “without due care and attention”. Therefore, I would be very surprised to receive a NIP for not letting a bus out. That said, I would give way if it was safe to do so.
However, if by swerving round the bus at the last minute because you were too impatient too wait, you caused the bus to brake sharply, injuring a passenger…you may well be on the receiving end of a NIP for one of those offences. Especially with the advent of CCTV on buses.
As a point of interest, an elderly lady died last year after suffering head injuries from a fall on the bus, caused by an impatient van driver who decided he absolutely had to get out of a junction ahead of a bus…sadly, they have never traced the van driver, but safe to say if they had, they would have faced charges.
The Highway Code Rule does not just apply to bus stops, it is a general rule…give way to buses.
Hope this helps!
I apologize. I can’t see you saying law anywhere!
This kind of backs myside up…You see this as RULE. So why ask…"Please " give way to the bus?
Sounds more like an appeal than a rule!
If it’s law then it would mean that buses don’t have to comply with give way lines at junctions.Watch this space to see what happens when some idiot London bus driver tries to prove the rule by pulling out of a side road across a give way line and a biker runs into the side of the bus.In which case should it have been the bus driver remembering to think bike or the biker remembering to think bus. 
DonutUK:
Funny, because i could have sworn “Roadcraft” was what i had to study when i passed a Police driving course many years ago.
“Funny, because i could have sworn “Roadcraft” was what i had to study when i passed a Police driving course many years ago!” So the copper said…“After 3 cars, ■■■■ 'em” did he? 
i very rarely give way to buses only at stops which dont have a layby to pull into if they have a layby i consider that off the road so they should go when a space is avialable
I’m a london bus driver.
I was taught NOT to pull out in front of vehciles from a stop.
Indicate and wait, if no one lets me go, arm out of the window, 99% I get let out with no probs.
Must admit though, bus drivers can be a nightmare, but no worse than tipper/skip lorries…
rambo19:
I’m a london bus driver.
I was taught NOT to pull out in front of vehciles from a stop.
Indicate and wait, if no one lets me go, arm out of the window, 99% I get let out with no probs.
Must admit though, bus drivers can be a nightmare, but no worse than tipper/skip lorries…
How long ago was your training?
Mine was 20 yrs ago.
On Routemasters.