Bus Driver Training Needs to Include Loose Steering Wheel

Common sense seems to dictate that bus driver training need not address what a driver should do if he or she notices a loose steering wheel. Nevertheless, apparently that is not the case, at least for the bus driver who found himself in a precarious situation in Malta. A video has surfaced showing the driver struggling to operate the bus due to a loose steering wheel, until the wheel eventually becomes fully detached.

The event was captured by a passenger and posted online. The passenger said the driver struggled for quite a while before losing the steering wheel after rounding a corner. He then stopped the bus and ordered the passengers to get off and wait for a new bus – after trying to reattach the wheel himself.

The bizarre part of the incident is that the driver continued operating the bus for several minutes, despite the steering wheel becoming looser with every turn. The video shows him navigating some pretty challenging turns even though he was clearly struggling. Then to see him attempt to reattach the wheel in order to further manoeuvre the bus makes the incident even stranger.

Local news reports say the driver’s employer, Malta Public Transport, has suspended him for unsafe conduct. That goes without saying. Bus driver training should not need to include what to do in the event of a loose steering wheel. The natural rules of survival dictate stopping the bus and shutting the motor off.

Train to Be a Professional

We can laugh at the Malta incident a little because no one was injured or killed due to the driver’s carelessness. Thank goodness the defective steering wheel did not result in a serious accident.

At the same time, we believe it is important to make it known that the vast majority of qualified bus drivers do not act so recklessly behind the wheel. Most drivers put the safety of their passengers first, even at risk to their own personal safety. Much of that comes from the bus driver training they receive prior to earning their licences.

If you have been considering a career as a professional bus driver, the HGV Training Centre can help. We offer a comprehensive training package that will see you through the entire process, from start to finish. All you need to get going is a full car licence and the ability to pass a routine medical exam.

The five-step process for obtaining a licence is as follows:

1. Have your medical exam and submit the paperwork.
2. Apply for your provisional entitlement while preparing for the theory test.
3. Take and pass the theory test.
4. Undergo practical skills training at one of our facilities.
5. Take and pass the final practical skills test.

The HGV Training Centre utilises a fast-paced and concentrated approach that helps you learn and retain the information you need to pass your tests. We believe our approach will help you complete bus driver training in no time at all.

Sources:

The Telegraph – https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newsvideo/viral-video/11079943/Loose-steering-wheel-comes-off-in-bus-drivers-hands.html