Fri | Mar 29, 2024

Pointers for every Minibus driver

Published:Sunday | September 18, 2022 | 12:06 AMGlenroy Messam - Contributor -
Coaster buses impede traffic along Constant Spring Road, St Andrew. Contributed
Coaster buses impede traffic along Constant Spring Road, St Andrew. Contributed
The ill-fated Toyota Coaster bus driven by James ‘Prento’ Davis that was involved in a three-vehicle collision on the Bustamante Highway in Clarendon on Monday. Davis and passenger Glenmore Pryce died.
The ill-fated Toyota Coaster bus driven by James ‘Prento’ Davis that was involved in a three-vehicle collision on the Bustamante Highway in Clarendon on Monday. Davis and passenger Glenmore Pryce died.

The Toyota Coaster bus involved in the Llandovery main road crash in St Ann.
The Toyota Coaster bus involved in the Llandovery main road crash in St Ann.
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Defensive driving is all about saving lives, time, and precious money. Therefore, if all minibus drivers put into practice the rudiments of safe driving, it is likely that they would not be involved in a collision with another vehicle. In fact, defensive driving is largely a matter of attitude, which is the determination on the driver’s part to do everything possible to avoid being involved in a preventable accident regardless of

A.What the law says.

B.What the other driver does.

C.The adverse driving conditions.

“The public passenger driver has a duty to ensure the safety and comfort of his passengers,” says Louis Barton, the president of the Jamaica Association of Transport Owners and Operators. “They need to drive for everyone else as the preservation of life is extremely important. In other words, drivers have to be super careful as they manoeuvre the busy roads, morning, noon, and night,” Barton adds. Drivers must carry out their pre-inspection check before hitting the road. This means checking, tyres, wipers, windshield, mirrors, lights, and so on.

Here are a few things to consider when driving a minibus:

1.The number of passengers increases the chances of distraction.

2.Time: Plan your journey and estimate realistically how long it will take. It is is best to allow plenty of time for the journey and put yourself under less stress or pressure. Take adequate breaks. Experts advise that one should never drive for more than four and a half hours without taking a break of at least 45 minutes.

3.The distance travelled: Is the vehicle suitable for long journeys? Is a larger vehicle more appropriate for that journey and job?

4.Speeds: It must be remembered that it is more difficult to maintain high average speeds. Also, speed may be lost rapidly on uphill stretches of road when fully loaded.

5.Noise levels: Driving these vehicles requires a high level of concentration due to noise caused by the engine and passengers.

6.Height: In the event of drastic movements, this can cause great body roll, pitch, and sway due to the dimensions of the vehicle. It is also more susceptible to side winds, and so on.

7.Weight: The first things to note are that there is a greater stopping distances and the vehicle is slower to accelerate and to overtake. Also, more effort is needed for steering the vehicle.

Louis Barton encourages drivers to treat minibus driving as they would other work even if it is not their normal job. They need to be alert and concentrate on ensuring that the bus ride is a most memorable one.early childhood teacher at Discover Reading Academy.