motoring - rules

[libbywill19]

not sure if there are any rules in the Highway Code about breaking harshly for a cat! What if it was a bus who broke quickly for a cat and a passenger had stood up to press the bell and fell over when the bus broke?

[sigma]

If the bus were to brake then the passenger would probably break. I don't think you're obliged to brake for animals.

[Panic Button]

Not quite true, mdoo.

As a bus driver, aware that your passengers are not belted in and may be standing, you have to make a very rapid decision on how firmly to brake. On occasions the driver may accept an inevitable collision rather than slam on the anchors.

I don't believe there is anything in the highway code on this, and a decision on whether the driver was negligent would probably have to be tried in court.

It may be that a bus company would make a financial settlement out of court, but I think they would wriggle hard first. Do you have any witnesses, Libby?

[TWR]

I am not a 100% sure on this, but is there not a sign inside the bus that states NO STANDING if I am right & the passenger is standing just before their stop then that clears the Bus comp of any negligence.

[Panic Button]

No, most service buses allow standing, though they are legally required to display how many standees and seated people are allowed.

It is obviously wise for passengers to hold on, but I remember being half way down the stairs on a double decker on the way to school once, when the driver did an emergency stop.

[McNoodle]

Brake for a cat? Don't be daft. You don't even need to report running one over - unlike a dog. Though wouldn't brake 'hard' for one of them either.

[R1Geezer]

You should brake for a dog not a cat or any other animal but I think I'd consider it for a Rhino! Anyway as stated above the rules are irrelevant because instinctively most people will brake for pretty much anything.

[ChuckFickens]

those Rhinos are a problem on UK roads!

[derekpara]

Well, I would brake hard for a cat if I were driving my car - and if anyone drove into my boot they were too dxmn close !

[libbywill19]

thanks for your comments panic button - this has happened to someone i know, a 76 year old lady, she wasn t actually standing on the bus but stood up and reached forward to press the bell to indicate she wanted to get off at the next stop, then the bus broke and she ended up by the driver, from half way down the bus. the driver did ask if she was ok and she said she was shaken. she later went to hospital with pain in her foot, she had a hairline fracture and ended up staying in hospital for 3 weeks and was in plaster for 4 months. there was one man on the bus who has given a statement.

[sigma]

not wishing to be pedantic, the bus braked not broke.

[derekpara]

I travel on London buses a lot and in my experience the vast majority of London bus drivers are much too heavy footed. If they don't get you with the brakes they'll get you with the throttle !
Elderly and infirm people really are at risk if they are standing up when the bus is moving.
The smoothest bus rides have been with female drivers and if I get the chance I always commend them on their considerate driving. Why can't other bus drivers show equal consideration for their passengers?

[Panic Button]

I drive buses myself, part time.

It seems strange to me in these health and safety conscious times that buses with standing passengers are allowed. We can be travelling at up to 50mph.

I suppose it would be hard to do anything else, but it doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the world.

Mind you, if they were invented now, cars would not be allowed.

[derekpara]

As someone who is now involved with H&S I'm inclined to agree with you. The trouble is that people have to stand up while the bus is moving in order to be ready to get off! Catch22 ?

[chickens]

Would you put yourself or others at risk for a cat ? Sorry moggy its mudflaps for you !!