Coventry Bus Crash.

[SeaJayPea]

What?

Tell me that 77 is a typo. Please.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-34442039

[Old_Geezer]

I doubt it. There is no maximum working age as that would be ageist.

[bhg481]

No, but over 70's have to have an annual medical to continue to drive buses, unlike younger people who can drive bin-lorries in Glasgow with no checks.

[anotheoldgit]

Would you refuse to be driven by your grandad, if he happened to be the young age of 77?

[Jomlett]

Not only is he 77-years-old but has been named as a former town mayor.

[Gromit]

Stagecoach (the bus operator) have other 77 year old employees...

See page 2
http://www.stagecoach.com/~/media/Files/S/Stagecoach-Group/Attachments/media/publication-internal-newspaper/issue69.pdf

[Khandro]

SJP; I don't object at all to drivers of 77, but off topic, looking at your link I discovered this, which I do. Words fail me!

[Khandro]

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34440759

[ladybirder]

Me too db.

[Canary42]

There is currently NO EVIDENCE linking the driver's age to the cause of the accident.

If there is later, then is the time to get all self-righteous about it.

[SeaJayPea]

I'm not getting self-righteous.

I've spent the past 40+ years in the road haulage industry and I for one shudder at the thought of a 77 year old being employed to drive buses or HGVs.

I'm also absolutely staggered that Stagecoach can get insurance for a 77 year old driver. Most fleet policies will have a cut-off of around 70. And most fleet policies won't allow for under-21s to drive large vehicles as well.

[jourdain2]

I read today that the driver was sounding his horn desperately as a warning to people to get out of the way. Sounds as if it was maybe a malfunction, but it is far too early to comment. I would have no qualms about being driven by a health-checked 77 yr. old. Mr. J2 is 82 and is probably a better driver than I am (both have long, long no-claims records).

[Baldric]

Khandro @ 11:46

What on Earth has that got to do with the Coventry Bus Crash?

[Khandro]

SeaJayPea //I'm not getting self-righteous.// Not half! you don't have shred of evidence to link this tragic accident to the age of the driver, so why do you "shudder"?

[SeaJayPea]

Jourdain2 I have no problem with anybody of that age or older driving cars. Blimey, I'm only 10 years younger than he is myself. My problem is with people doing a day's work at that age that involves driving much bigger vehicles.

And Khandro, this is not me passing comment on this particular case, if it appears that it was I apologise. It's just that this has raised the fact that people of that age are still working driving heavy vehicles. I repeat, I do not see how their employer gets insurance for them.

[mushroom25]

//I repeat, I do not see how their employer gets insurance for them. //

probably because stagecoach are effectively their own insurer.

http://www.stagecoach.com/about/contacts/business-unit-contacts/psv-claims-bureau.aspx

[furrypusscat]

As long as a person passes their annual PSV or HGV medical (annually from certain age) and DVLA keep issuing a license for that type of vehicle, then under employment laws they have the right to remain employed.

[Khandro]

SeaJayPea; OK accepted, but it does sound from your OP that you are concerned that he shouldn't be driving a bus at his age. I'm almost his age myself, and a couple of weeks ago I drove off from Gloucestershire at 7pm took a late ferry to Dunkirk and drove overnight almost as far as Switzerland, a couple of 10 minute power naps, a large flask of coffee and got home for a late breakfast. I think I could handle a bus OK.
Let's wait and see what comes out of the enquiry.

[jomifl]

You would have difficulty hiring a car if you were over the age of 70.

[jourdain2]

Yes,, jomifl, hiring companies are very short-sighted. :(