Stagecoach Manchester drivers

[northwichcat]

On two occasions today I heard a Stagecoach Manchester driver sound their horn when they should not have done - once to tell people on a crossing to get a move on as the traffic light had gone green and once as a casual hello to someone they knew - both are against the Highway Code. I've experienced the same thing on numerous occasions before and wonder if Stagecoach Manchester have too lax an attitude to driver behaviour.

 

[34D]

Two on two occasions I heard a Stagecoach Manchester driver sound their horn when they should not have done - once to tell people on a crossing to get a move on as the traffic light had gone green and once as a casual hello to someone they knew - both are against the Highway Code. I've experienced the same thing on numerous occasions before and wonder if Stagecoach Manchester have too lax an attitude to driver behaviour.

And?

I sound the horn on my bus for the first scenario. The highway code allows it's use to "notify others of your presence".

 

[Titfield]

I am interested to know what action would the OP would consider it be appropriate for Stagecoach Manchester to take if they received such a report?

 

[notadriver]

Do Stagecoach buses have a forward facing camera with sound and/or does green road have the ability to record when the horn was used ?

If so video footage could be reviewed to see what was really going on.

 

[northwichcat]

And?

I sound the horn on my bus for the first scenario. The highway code allows it's use to "notify others of your presence".

I think you've misunderstood what I'm getting at. The bus is stopped at a red traffic light and either people have started crossing after the green man on the crossing light has disappeared or not got across the road quickly enough* meaning the crossing isn't clear when the traffic light goes green. As the bus is stationary the driver is only allowed to sound his horn if he thinks another moving vehicle posses a danger to the bus.

I've seen this happen on numerous occasions recently and each time it's been a Stagecoach Manchester bus - never a First Manchester, Finglands, Bullocks etc. bus.

* Some pedestrian crossings in Manchester don't have red and green men, just a marked crossing point at a junction where there are traffic lights meaning the chance of a pedestrian being in the road when the traffic light goes green is higher.

 

[notadriver]

It could be seen as bullying or intimidatory behaviour and professional bus drivers have to be whiter than white in this regard.

 

[northwichcat]

It would seem not unreasonable to me to use the horn in such circumstances.

In a driving theory test there are questions regarding what to do if pedestrians are slow to cross and choosing the 'sound your horn' option would mean you don't get a mark for that question as it's the wrong option.

Obviously it shouldn't be used to attract the attention of friends but it's hardly a serious offence.

Hearing a horn close by when there is no danger can confuse other road users and cause them to panic which is why it shouldn't be done.