Forum Topic

Injuries on buses

I’m finding that bus drivers pull away before I’ve sat down on the bus, even when I have lots of heavy bags or my tool case. Several times I’ve injured myself and once really quite badly hitting my ankle to the point that it hurt for days and there was what can only be described as an impressive looking bruise. Once on the bus with a less able woman and her carer, the woman got stuck between two seats because the bus started moving and she was scared she might fall. Bus driver yelled at them both at the next stop. Trying to find info online about it has proved difficult. Anyone have similar experiences or any suggestions about what to do.

Sophia Dreyer ● 1904d14 Comments

The problem may be down to the drivers getting behind schedule and being under pressure not to delay at stops.This can have consequences beyond and injury - a woman died in Chiswick in 2015. See the link below for the story.http://www.chiswickw4.com/default.asp?section=info&page=concrime844a.htmThere has been some research done into the problem and it suggests it is worse than the official figures indicate. See the link below:https://tinyurl.com/m8j44mwuPerhaps in the first instance the best thing to do would be to contact the bus company every time there is an incident. This might result in management changing the emphasis in the instructions they give to drivers to give more priority to safety over punctuality.

Felicity Caborn ● 1904d

It happens regularly, I find I’m often in pain with my shoulder or wrist after a jolt. Have to say I’d never thought of reporting it.

Maureen Yakoubi ● 1904d

My mother once fell over on a bus (not in London)  and sprained her ankle after the driver braked suddenly.  He apologised and told her to report it to the bus company, which she did.  She was visited by their insurers who subsequently organised a payout for her, which she accepted.  Always worth reporting incidents, I think.

Lucy Chambers ● 1903d

Reporting is the way to improve things. The problem seems to me to be getting worse with drivers under more pressure to meet schedules.It might also be the case that because hybrid buses accelerate so quietly you no longer get the auditory clue to hang on that a revving engine used to provide.

Anita Blake ● 1903d

Some sort of warning device to tell passengers they are about to proceeda bell or something.

Janice Evans ● 1903d

Of course privatisation hasn't helped, when bus services were under the auspices of LTE drivers underwent some of the best training there was. There were also plain clothes inspectors who would ride on buses and monitor the driver's standard of driving. And who remembers the point inspectors with their clipboards at bus stops checking he timetables and re-routing or turning buses to handle various traffic conditions? All gone like the Dodo, to the detriment of the comfort and safety of the travelling public.

Vanessa Smith ● 1903d

Even so, was in 2 accidents involving buses when I was young so the driving was not much better, needless to say I have avoid using them.

Janice Evans ● 1903d

I remember when the buses had conductors who helped look after their passengers. We're getting old, Vanessa ;-)

Richard Greenhough ● 1903d

They always act like they're in a massive hurry, exceeding the 20MPH speed limits and tearing off from stops. Then you're stuck at a bus stop for five minutes while they 'even out the service'.

Susan Kelly ● 1903d

Schedules might be part of the problem but I think there’s a lot of poor use of throttle and brake in traffic jams when the bus is only moving a few metres.There used to be a TV ad nudging people to ‘drive as if you had a glass of water on your bonnet’.  Something I would urge drivers and their instructors to take to heart!

Alastair Banton ● 1903d

I'm regularly on buses and I find that many drivers are considerate and delay departure until one is sitting down safely.Nothing worse than losing balance on a bus.However,if one wanted to report a bad driver to his depot...where do you look to find his staff reference number? The controller will want his/her details.

Jim Lawes ● 1902d

I find going up and down the stairs of a double decker can be a real test of wits and strength. There have been many times when I have had to hold on for dear life to stop pitching forward as the bus either brakes or pulls off suddenly, and I am reasonably fit.

Mark Edwards ● 1901d

Yes, bus stairs are a trial. I usually come down while the bus is stationery at the previous stop to the one I want.

Susan Kelly ● 1900d

Stairs? I never tackle those. Leave upstairs for the youngsters!

Jim Lawes ● 1900d