Buses on driving lessons in Peterborough www.BigTom.org.uk/home/

I would be amazed if you managed to avoid meeting any buses when on your driving test or driving lessons in Peterborough.  They can affect us in many different ways.  This short blog will explain how they can affect us and what to do so that you don’t fail your driving test due to a Peterborough bus.

Some bus stops are in there own bay to the left, off the main road, and they tend to affect us positionally very little.  Other bus stops are simply on the main road, as such you would need to make a positional change to the right to pass it.  When stopped in the main road, at a bus stop, to pick up or drop off passengers, the left signal will be on the whole time that the bus driver is pulled over.  The moment that the driver intends to move off, the right signal will come on, and then, the driver will expect to be given the opportunity to move off – there may be 80 passengers on board that bus.

So two things to think about there.  One is, if the bus is stationary at the bus stop, is a right signal needed in order to pass it, and secondly, at what point can you continue to pass the bus, if you see the right signal come on the bus?  Neither of those questions have a definitive answer unfortunately, it is one of those many examples in driving when we all have to “think on our feet”, and assess what is the best course of action at the time.  This judgement comes with practise.  Some of the factors to consider are whether there is anyone around you who would benefit from seeing a right signal from you to pass the bus (inc the bus driver), how wide the road is, is there any oncoming traffic, the speed you are travelling at the time, the distance of your vehicle from the bus, the driving conditions eg darkness/rain/fog.

Another way buses can affect us is when they are moving in and around junctions and sharp bends.  The physical size of the bus makes in inevitable for there to be some crossing over into our path at times.  This is no fault of the drivers necessarily, it is simply unavoidable due to the length of the bus.  As such, it is not only showing consideration when you can accommodate this fact, but at times, it is really necessary.  Queensgate roundabout near the bus station is a good example where there are some tight bends for buses, and I can think of plenty of “T-junctions” where a bus will encroach into our path when turning and emerging.  Being able to pre-empt such a situation and slow or make a slight positional adjustment can often make the world of difference to the outcome.

This blog has highlighted two ways in which buses can affect us when driving on driving lessons in Peterborough.  Please remember that bus drivers have much to consider, they have a timetable to keep to as best they can, they can have a considerable number of passengers on board, all with their own tight deadlines, and the bus driver is spending their entire working day in what can be quite hazardous driving conditions... so spare a thought for them when on your travels.  For those interested in these things, the thrust of this blog would come under the heading of “defensive driving” – it is a sign of a thinking driver, with #gooddrivinghabits.  There are many other ways that we can all demonstrate defensive driving when driving on the roads, ask your Driving Instructor for others (they will be mightily impressed with your question!)

Andy who passed his driving test this morning after doing his Intensive Driving Course at Peterborough had this very situation described above happening on his driving test in Dogsthorpe.  Andy was approaching a "T-junction" to turn right, and spotted a bus in the major road to his left, with the right signal on, Andy held back from the give way lines, about 2 car lengths, and the bus was able to turn right.  Might seem a small point this, but actually, this is a big deal, and very, very nice to see - as it shows an ability to identify stuff in advance, and plan for it (being considerate in the process).
I obviously had no idea when I posted up this blog last night, that this would happen this morning, but it is a good example of how it is possible to keep yourself informed of driving related stuff above and beyond the in-car training.

Congrats go to Andy for a very comfortable first time pass after just 8 days of starting to learn to drive with Big Tom Driving School.

BIG TOM Driving School  Intensive Driving Course in Peterborough 01733 306016