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Accidents surge as bendy buses take over
Anna Davis, Evening Standard14.02.08
Bendy buses have been involved in more accidents on central London routes than the double-deckers they replaced.
Figures for two city centre routes show collisions have increased dramatically since the introduction of bendy vehicles.
There was a 45 per cent rise in accidents involving the No38 Victoria to Clapton between April 2006 and the same month in 2007, the first full year of bendy buses, compared to the previous 12 months when double-deckers were the main vehicle on the route. Accidents rose by 70 from 154 in 2005/06 to 224 in 2006/07.
Another route, the No29 from Wood Green to Trafalgar Square, recorded 58 more accidents when bendy buses were used for their first full year.
Safety campaigners and unions have called for a review into the safety of the bendy bus, which has been championed by Mayor Ken Livingstone.
It comes after 21-year-old Lee Beckwith died after he was dragged for a mile by a bendy bus in east London. The driver was unaware of Mr Beckwith at the back of the 60ft vehicle.
Mr Beckwith's friend Matthew Clark, 22, called for safety warnings on bendy buses. He said: "There's been a lack of response about the situation with bendy buses. I would like to see changes made so his death wasn't in vain." Mayoral candidate Boris Johnson said: "The evidence is that they are twice as dangerous as any other type of bus. Not just to cyclists, but also to pedestrians. The problem is they are just too long."
Britain's main cycling organisation, the Cyclist's Touring Club, and the RMT union which represents 8,000 bus drivers, also support calls for a review of bendy bus safety.
A spokeswoman for Transport for London said the figures did not accurately represent bendy bus safety. She said: "Most collisions on the bus network are not the fault of the driver or of anything to do with the design of the buses. They are due to fairly random things. There can be significant fluctuations in the number of collisions from one year to the next.
"The figures record every type of collision, even if it is not anything to do with the driver or the type of bus, for example if someone has walked into the side of a bus." The spokeswoman added that TfL had no plans for an investigation-into bendy buses. She said: " Concluding that bendy buses are more dangerous than any other type of bus is factually incorrect.
"The only thing these collision statistics actually show is that it is more likely that a bus will be involved in an incident in a busy part of town than in a quiet part of town."
Reader views (10)
I think bendy buses are very dangerous , they are too long for starters and the drivers cant see whats going on behind them.i saw a tragic accident happen today in london westend a lady was hit very hard by the no 73 she looked dead it was horrible and i will never forget it .Those buses need to be taken off the streets of london.
- Amanda Remy, LONDON
Having been a driver of bendy buses in Sydney, Australia,perhaps they need to have a breaking system we had which means unless all the doors are closed the bus can't move. Slows the bus time slightly but better that than a accident or death. Passengers also need to be made aware of the dangers and not always blame the driver who is acutely aware of the responsibilities that go with being a bus driver.
- Scott Roberts, Christchurch, New Zealand
One thing that annoys me is that a lot of bus drivers seem to think just by pulling in front of a cyclist it is OK to then just indicate, which means I have to brake otherwise I get crushed by the bus pulling in to stop.As you can imagine, I think the drivers are selfish,rude,ignorant,arrogant and downright dangerous. My opinion and experience is that a lot of them drive without really understanding what their actions mean to those in a much more vulnerable position than themselves i.e. me on my bike. I should like to add finally that I do find the positive side of their (my perception) attempts at my manslaughter is that it gives me a chance to let off steam. This is something I find myself doing on a regular basis!
- Matt, London, England
These buses are awful, I avoid them. You can't sit in the seats and they are usually packed anyway. People get away without paying all the time and it feels unsafe.
I never use them. I think they are dangerous to people crossing the road as well.
- Philip, London UK
How can anyone be surprised that there are more accidents with these monstrosities on some of the narrowest roads known to man. They are only loved by yobs, fare dodgers and Ken Livingstone. Everyone else hates them.
- R M, London, UK
Why didn't Ken get some green buses - why replace ALL the double-decker buses - to bring in these gas guzzlers?
He could have slowly introduced - environmentally friendly buses - that Londoners could truly be proud of.
Now in a knee jerk reaction - he is raising the price of the C charge for the larger cars travelling into London - when his buses are some of the biggest polluters.
- Robin, London
Ken Livingstone goes on about the need to reduce the congestion on London's streets so what does he come up with? yes, the Bendy-Bus. Twice the length of a Double-Decker, twice the congestion. These buses are a menace on our roads and certainly take up more room than a 4x4. Still whatever Ken wants, Ken gets.
- A.D. Redrup, RUISLIP, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND
After breaking my jaw because a bus driver braked so hard, because he decided that it was too late to jump the lights, I have now purchased a motorbike and will never use a bus again.
- Gordon Calver, London
We have not done any investigation and therefore there is no evidence these buses are worse than any other buses!
- Dave, London
Probably because most of the drivers are dangerous on the roads. I have had some terrifying trips lately!
- Charlie, London
