Hello and welcome to my Blog, my name is Chris, a bus driver for First Mendip based in Wells, Somerset. I am Chair and H&S rep for the depot branch of Unite the Union. Married to Fiona, we live in Midsomer Norton near Bath, with Boots the cat. My main hobby is Amateur Radio and I hold the call sign G4KVI. I am the repeater keeper for GB3UB and MB7UB. I have a fascination for the weather and all things to do with nature and science. As a Christian I worship, when shifts allow at St. Nicholas Church in Radstock. These are my observations on my life, both at work and at home.

26 May 2014

Crossing the road

There seems to be an urban myth that when using a Zebra crossing that traffic has to stop. If you read the Highway Code it states -

18

At all crossings. When using any type of crossing you should
  • always check that the traffic has stopped before you start to cross or push a pram onto a crossing
  • always cross between the studs or over the zebra markings. Do not cross at the side of the crossing or on the zig-zag lines, as it can be dangerous.
You MUST NOT loiter on any type of crossing.
Laws ZPPPCRGD reg 19 & RTRA sect 25(5)

19

Zebra crossings. Give traffic plenty of time to see you and to stop before you start to cross. Vehicles will need more time when the road is slippery. Wait until traffic has stopped from both directions or the road is clear before crossing. Remember that traffic does not have to stop until someone has moved onto the crossing. Keep looking both ways, and listening, in case a driver or rider has not seen you and attempts to overtake a vehicle that has stopped.



Highway Code - Rule 19 Zebra Crossings Have Flashing Beacons

So the next pedestrian that complains that my 21 tonnes of metal fails to stop as they approach the crossing and says they will call the police. Please take note.

18 May 2014

Just for fun

Had a rather pleasant day out on the bike with work colleagues. We have been talking about having a ride out for ages and given the weather it was decided to go today I have never been on a ride out and never been on the bike just for fun so I was just a little bit excited!  Anyway we started off at the works depot and headed out to Cheddar.  It is a  very long time since I have been here, but it was a great ride with some nice roads and spectacular sights as we went through the gorge. We took advantage of stooping off and enjoying an ice cream and enjoying the sunshine.We then set off for Weston-Super-Mare    another nice ride and very glad we were on bikes as the traffic into Weston was very heavy. Weston has a dedicated  bike park on the seafront and we parked up there. One of  our Polish colleagues had arranged a table at a Polish bar in town and we made our way up there. I wish I had known as the food was excellent, but a Sunday lunch was waiting at home! So an excellent day out and looking forward to the next. Below is a track of the ride.




 

7 May 2014

Employee Director & GreenRoad Fleet Elite Award

For those that know me I can be a bit loud and opinionated. I always try and make my views known I also try and do the best I can at anything I do.That is why I have decided to stand for the Employee Director job. I will not say to much about on here but I do have a page on Facebook.
Also this week turns out I won an award. This time as a GreenRoad Fleet Elite Award. Green road is the system which is used to see how well we can drive a bus and indicates sudden braking turning etc and produces a weekly score. The target score in 20 and mine is usually below 10 and as it seems it was below an average of 5 last year I win an award. Have to say I am still no real fan of Green Road/Drive Green but it does at least give me something to keep me amused and motivated during the day.

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