Bristol Bus Driver Not Indicative of Industry

This past February (2013) a bus driver in Bristol was arrested and charged after he used his vehicle as a weapon to run down and injure a cyclist. Unfortunately, video of the incident went viral and gave a black eye to the entire professional driving industry.

The good news is that the cyclist survived with just a broken leg and a crushed bicycle. It obviously could have been worse. As for the driver of the bus, he was recently sentenced to 17 months in jail for actions the court deemed were definitely “not an accident.”

Prior to the incident, the driver maintained a spotless record with his employer. The 10-year veteran had a reputation for integrity, making his actions a surprise to those who know him. Nonetheless, in what his lawyer deemed “a moment of madness” the driver forever changed the lives of himself and his victim.

An Industry of Reputation

We believe it is important to set the record straight and remind UK residents that the professional driving industry is one of high reputation. We can say without hesitation that most transport companies hire only the best HGV drivers in the business. Those drivers have received proper bus driver training and are licensed as required by law.

It should be further noted that the law was recently changed to require additional coach and bus driver training to ensure UK drivers meet EU standards. In order for current bus drivers to keep their licenses they must complete the additional training by September of this year. They will need to undergo remedial training every five years to maintain their licenses.

The training provided by companies like the HGV Training Centre is designed to ensure the safety of everyone on the road. That includes cyclists. Both the theory and practical components of training take into account the reality that HGV drivers need to share the road responsibly.

The actions of this one driver in Bristol were his alone. They do not reflect on the industry as a whole or the training drivers are required to receive in order to earn and maintain a licence. Those of us in the industry take our responsibility to the general public very seriously. As such we are dedicated to proper training, regular reviews, and a “safety first” mind-set while on the road.

If you would like to join the ranks of professional drivers across the UK, we offer training courses for buses, coaches, lorries, horseboxes, forklift trucks, and more. You’ll need to pass a 100-question multiple choice theory test before beginning the practical behind-the-wheel training. If all goes well you can earn your licence in 6 to 8 weeks.

Driving professionally is a rewarding career offering excellent stability and good pay. If you don’t like being confined to an office all day, it also affords the independence and freedom of the open road. If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact us today. We would be happy to help you get started immediately.