Like plane crashes they seem to happen in spates, then nothing for ages, so in the wake of the National Express incidents on the M25/M4 and Newport Pagnel services, another coach crash ocurred last week on the M4 in Wiltshire.
The privately operated London Flyer service ran off the carriageway, down an embankment and came to rest after striking trees.
Thankfully there were no fatalities but around 25 of 40 passengers suffered relatively minor injuries, the driver seems to have come off worst with facial injuries but I believe he is ok.
Details are few at this stage but the vehicle was impounded for mechanical examination and the driver arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving - which worries me, this driver, with many years experience and probably a very good record could end up a criminal in the eyes of the law, with loss of his PCV entitlement and therefore no job, ON TOP of the trauma suffered in the accident and the feeling of failing his passengers who entrusted their safety to him.
A large proportion of motorway accidents involving coaches, and trucks occur in this manner, where the vehicle runs off the carriageway apparently for no reason, travelling at cruising speed, in a straight line, in reasonable weather conditions and with no other vehicles involved. Interestingly, speed is not generally a factor in these incidents. The damage is done by the weight of the vehicle.
Dangerous driving is often the charge levelled at the driver, but I strongly protest that there cannot be that many "dangerous drivers" within either profession. though there maybe some who should take more care.
I can expalin exactly what causes this seemingly unusual event.
Driver fatigue ? (falling asleep when dog tired) occasionally maybe.
Some readers may be alarmed at just how long we are able to work/drive 15hrs working, 9 or up to 10 hrs driving.
Drivers do get tired yes and rightly so, we are human, not machines. On one occasion that springs to mind i started work at 6 am, picked up and drove to from Bristol to Brighton, had 9 hrs off in Brighton with only the coach to rest in, then set off back to bristol at midnight - perfectly legal.
When I pulled in to the services on the return at 2.30am some woman woke up and said she didnt want to stop she wanted to get home, she could stretch her legs, make herself coffee on board and use the coach toilet. the arrogance of the woman !! I told her tough, I needed to stop, unless she was willing to hold the wheel while I nipped to the loo, walked up and down the coach and made a coffee, she shut up. and do you think anyone offered ME a coffee en route or enquired if I was ok? guess. BUT, if there had been an incident she would be the FIRST to shout about the driver working long hours and driving all that way without a break..
I don't care if passengers complain if I stop, I make no apology and their complaint has no grounds beyond selfishness. MY comfort and safety over rules everything. if I'm safe they are.
The type of duty described above is not the norm.
Generally, Motorway hypnosis is more likely. let me explain..
The speed limit for a coach on a motorway is still 70mph (for trucks 60mph) though both must, by law be fitted with a speed limiter, set at 62mph (100kph) for a coach and 56mph (90kph) for a truck.
So, when this speed is reached, no matter how hard you press the pedal it will not go any faster.
Cruising at this constant speed, which is low compared to other traffic, you rarely need to adjust your speed, indeed once past Reading on the M4 it's pretty much full speed to Bristol, not a great distance true, but a boring one with little to engage the driver other than to steer a straight course looking straight ahead, cruise control on, passengers asleep, in almost total silence.
When the journey is taken on A roads, that require some actual "driving" as opposed to just being "steering wheel attendant" these run offs simply don't happen, the driver's mind is active, concentration levels up.
I believe being tired is, in 99% of cases nothing to do with it at all. It is simply the inacivity of the brain, this has happened to me, driving along, costant speed etc etc as outlined above, eyes wide open but not registering what is going on, I nearly hit the rear of a vehicle, I knew it was there, that I was gaining on it, but my brain didn't tell me to overtake it. it is a VERY strange sensation and difficult to expalin, so the authorities simply assume you were tired and fell asleep and brand you a dangerous driver.
It is a very serious problem, but what is the answer? I have no idea.
Interestingly various authorities opposed the introduction of speed limiters on safety grounds. sometimes you need to accellerate away from danger but if you are on the limiter your only option is brake,
Drivers should be able to regulate their own speed and keep within the law, with severe penalties if they don't. all valid points but ignored by the law makers who just think they know best and need to be seen to be doing something.
Technology exists to monitor eye movements of drivers and alert them to possible danger but I don't know of anyone marketing such a product.
SOMETHING needs to be done to help us vocational drivers avoid this potentially FATAL problem that is NOT our making, anyone got the answer?
If anyone from a related organisation is reading this who might hold the key so to speak I would be glad to hear your thoughts.
To any fellow vocational drivers reading this, take care out there as I know you already do, sing, whistle, tap dance in the cab, talk to your self, ANYTHING !! just try to stay alert and don't let your self become a victim of this killer we call MOTORWAY HYPNOSIS
Dom..
:driving:
Coach crash M4 Wiltshire.
Coach crash M4 Wiltshire.
i know this hasnt actually got anything to do with the orginal post but i remember driving along that same stretch of road some years ago and we were passed by an incredibly flashy yellow sports car, going well over the speed limit, i said at the time, theres an accident waiting to happen................. about five miles further up the road, there he was, wedged, bonnet first, under the crash barrier, facing toward the on coming traffic, thank god there was no one else involved and the driver was standing on the hard shoulder, on his mobile phone.
one very lucky guy :-2
one very lucky guy :-2
Coach crash M4 Wiltshire.
Yes I have seen similar things happen, this type of incident is usually caused by people driving not only well in excess of the limit, but more importantly well in excess of their ability, this one sounds lucky but sadly it's not always just themselves they involve, if these morons want to kill themselves in their cars, fine, just dont involve me or anyone else in their suicide pact.