Summary: Road Rage Driver Piloting First Bus in the Manner of a 17 Year Old Teen in a "Hot Hatch", Hard Acceleration and ABS Operating as Wheels Lock up on Bus
Photos to accompany complaint:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sheffield_tiger/albums/72157665231898204
Cycling along Langsett Road in the direction of Hillsborough from the City Centre, approaching Hillsborough barracks, First Bus Service 85 (in service), Fleet no: 60745, registration MV02 VDY attempted an overtake whilst a vehicle was waiting at the junction a few yards ahead to turn right. This meant that there was no room to overtake whilst leaving sufficient room and complete the manoeuvre before pulling back in.
As a result the rear quarter of the bus just before the rear wheels, pulled in dangerously close squeezing me close into the kerb, before the bus stopped for the leading car. During this overtake as the side of the bus looked ever closer I did bang the side of the bus with the palm of my hand to alert the driver as had the bus moved closer I may have hit the kerb with wheel or pedal and been thrown from my cycle
Deciding the safest course was to carry on whilst the bus was at a stop and remove myself from the narrow gap, I moved past the bus and the car and continued my journey which takes me straight ahead towards Hillsborough Corner.
Because of this I took a safe position in the centre of the westbound tram tracks and, as the road slopes downhill was probably travelling at a reasonable 20-22mph towards the junction with Ripley Street and a red traffic light, which allows me to avoid being “left hooked” by vehicles turning left and minimises the number of tracks to cross when proceeding through the junction around the tram gate.
I became aware of the bus travelling at speed, half across the white central line in an overtaking manoeuvre that was not only unnecessary but highly dangerous as it appeared to be motivated purely by anger. The bus once again passed close by my right shoulder, and at one moment I feared that I may be pushed into the left tram track and be thrown from my bike, possibly under the bus
The bus then had to brake in a manner identical to an emergency stop in order to stop at the red light – overshooting the stop line as is shown in accompanying photograph showing the proximity of the windscreen to the traffic light. I could hear the ABS system activating as the bus front wheels were locking up under the braking.
This manoeuvre was totally reckless, unnecessary and dangerous and can best describe it as akin to a teenage boy racer out on the road in a hot hatch, and TOTALLY unsuited to a large bus, especially one in public service and carrying First Bus passengers.
The first close overtake was poor driving however we are all human and make mistakes, and would not have resulted in any complaint. The second was a pure “punishment” for – I do not know exactly what, I presume for merely being on “his” road
Any front-facing CCTV in operation on this bus will clearly show the nature of the second half of the incident. Also an inspection of the tachograph and the GreenRoad driver monitoring system will clearly show the hard acceleration followed by “emergency” braking during this incident.
Had a video camera been mounted on my bike at the time, I may well have chosen to pursue the matter with the police rather than through First Bus, as driving in this manner presents a very real danger to the public. At this time I am still giving consideration to making a formal Police complaint.
I would request that First Bus address this matter bearing in mind
- Danger to the public of driving in this manner
- Reputation of First Bus by driving in this manner
- Duty of Care to First Bus passengers
Due to the potential seriousness of this matter, a copy of this complaint is also being sent to First Head Office
