Bus Driving

[TWR]

Leaning to drive a D/Decker bus on ITV, did you watch it? could you manage it? what are the hazards?

[paul1763]

no/yes/low bridges & cornering too fast i would think.

[SlackAlice]

Missed it. 33yrs a D/Deck bus driver so I think I could cope.

Hazards?
1) Height
2) Length
3) Passengers

[bhg481]

Impossible to say without trying it. Having said that you have to be aware of the dimensions of any vehicle you are driving but a very large vehicle could be daunting.
Having driven high vehicles I've always been very aware and checked the height of every height limit I've come across.
I think getting used to the length is probably most difficult ie, having to swing out on corners and it's "behind you" - you are warned about height, you can see width but length is out of sight.
I suspect the power-to-weight ratio might be a problem until you get used to it so, together with length, pulling onto a roundabout will need a bit more thinking about.
Avoiding other vehicles that don't realise that you "cut" corners another hazard.

[chaptazbru2]

Not something I'd like to try !

[janbee]

Definitely low bridges suitable only for cars or single deckers !

[1ozzy]

Reckon I could. I own a bus service (no double deckers though).
It's a matter of driving accordingly. The bigger the load the slower and more cautious the driving.
One must be aware of the size of the vehicle.

[Jackdaw33]

A mate of mine who was a bus driver told me that there was absolutely no difference in driving a double decker from a single decker as they were both the same length and width. The only thing to watch out for was low bridges.

[RATTER15]

No problem, not much different than a car really, you just need to be aware that its a bit bigger.

[Hopkirk]

Not just low bridges, but also street furniture. Its surprising how much a high vehicle tilts if there is a camber on the road, sufficient that it could hit road signs, traffic lights, trees etc.

The other new thing to learn would be rear overhang swing - something car drivers don't have to worry about.

[waterboatman]

Having driven tank transporters and the tanks they carry I think I could manage.

[1ozzy]

Beg to differ here Ratter. A heap different than a car, front and rear overhang, sweep, weight, stopping distance, acceleration ability.
Not difficult to drive safely but nothing like a car.
Just a matter of being aware of the vehicle and the load.