Poor driving standards of ACTION drivers

As a driver for Action, I’d like to make a few points. I agree there are a few poor drivers in our ranks.
There are over 600 drivers, so there will always be a few bad eggs.

I would like to ask “Why don’t Canberra drivers give way to buses, pulling out of bus stops?’
It’s the law, not courtesy.
Are Canberra drivers aware that they must give way to all traffic, on a roundabout?
This means if I’m pulled up at a roundabout and I start to move off, just because you are on my Right you DON’T have right of way (unless we are both at the entry at the same time}

Lastly, that 4 Second gap that I leave to the car in front is there because I need extra distance to stop, It’s not an invitation for you to zip into that space.

thanks.

NoImRight said :

While ever ACTION can only recruit drivers from the human race we will have problems.

Though of course they have the ability to filter those humans and train them to be better than the average human.

Conan of Cooma said :

There are more idiots in cars than buses in Canberra. ACTION should be the least of your concerns.

True but they are generally not driving heavy 12m long buses that could be carrying 50+ passengers.

Op think you hit the nail on the head when you said a lot of drivers drive like they are driving their own cars. Clearly there is a big difference. Best suggestion is to complain to Action eventually they will get the message and improve standards and maybe sack the bad eggs.

I have a similar story. Recently, westbound on Barry Drive between Willows and North Ovals where the there is now a form-one-lane, I was driving around 2m ahead of a bus which was in the lane left to me. However, instead of yielding to me as he should have so we could both merge, the driver put his foot down. This meant I had to: come to a complete stop quickly, merge into the right lane completely out of his way, or speed up to pass him myself. With traffic behind me and to my right, I sped up to edge past the bus, while the bus driver went bananas, flashed his lights, blew his horn and shook his head. Pathetic. I’m sorry I missed the bus’ rego. I’m still fuming about it…

What should be asked of this, is why would a bus need to do this now that they have their own lane? Unless he/she saw a gap ahead & was trying to get into this gap to turn right at the next set of lights.

Madam Cholet said :

Interestingly, someone called @Bus400 has been tweeting traffic advice in the last few days – I only see this because Action re-tweet their tweets.

If you look at the Action twitter feed recently there are a few complaints about driving standards.

@Bus400 is not a bus driver & ACT Police Traffic twitter feed have been retweeting the helpful tips not ACTION.

It should also be mentioned that there is no ACT Government Twitter feed to whinge about other drivers or bicycles. There is how ever someone who reads whines about bus drivers driving.

What’s wrong with driving below the speed limit?

. . many ACTION drivers could indicate earlier both when pulling out and turning . .

Only an annoyance compared to some of the really dangerous examples given, but I was once in a line of traffic and we all one by one considerately stopped for the bus indicating he was pulling out only to realise he was still chatting. The most common thing is putting the indicator on at the same time as they pull out but sometimes they also just leave the indicator on because at some time in the future they intend to pull out. No wonder people disregard bus signals. A lot of them need a refresher course in “use of indicator in a timely manner”.

As a car user, the standard of driving of ACTION bus drivers is quite good, the majority of problems relate to car drivers that have no idea what they’re doing.

I too have had a bus pull out on me at a roundabout, a few years ago. I’ve also have had a bus almost kill me when it sped up to try and force past and beat me to the form one lane a couple of years ago and recently saw one or two go through red lights. A very small proportion to the number of cars and motorcycles doing the same thing.

I normally see good tolerance from the bus drivers who have to deal with idiots who fail to give way to buses pulling out from the stop. Keeping in mind you’re required to slow to prepare to give way for a bus to pull out.

A good proportion of buses coming to a quick stop are the result of others, such as cars pulling in front or passengers signalling their desire to get on or off late.

Also, people have no courtesy for buses changing lanes. While there is no requirement to give way to them, it only takes a bit of common sense to realise that buses do not have the option to miss the turn and take the next one. Therefore they need to change lanes for a reason and your should give them room.

JazzyJess said :

I catch busses every day and find the driving just fine thanks. If anything I feel sorry for the bus drivers because they have to put up with all the terrible car drivers. I’m always astounded at how badly most (though not all) Canberrans drive. Having lived in Sydney and Melbourne I feel qualified to make such a ridiculously sweeping statement.

It’s a good thing I’m an above average driver and thus your statement doesn’t apply to me.

(said everyone)