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Bus driver reading while driving | Bus driver reading while driving |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A bus driver has been suspended after a passenger filmed him apparently reading while driving along a dual carriageway in Birmingham. | A bus driver has been suspended after a passenger filmed him apparently reading while driving along a dual carriageway in Birmingham. |
The passenger, who wishes to remain anonymous, filmed the National Express West Midlands driver steering with his elbows while holding a small book. | The passenger, who wishes to remain anonymous, filmed the National Express West Midlands driver steering with his elbows while holding a small book. |
They said they took the footage after getting on the number 61 bus at Selly Oak at 2005 BST on Monday. | They said they took the footage after getting on the number 61 bus at Selly Oak at 2005 BST on Monday. |
National Express West Midlands said "immediate action" was taken. | National Express West Midlands said "immediate action" was taken. |
The footage has since been posted on video sharing website YouTube. | The footage has since been posted on video sharing website YouTube. |
Dismissal 'likely' | |
In a statement, a National Express spokesman said: "Immediate action was taken to suspend the driver who will now face disciplinary action. | |
"It is not appropriate to predict the outcome but an incident of this type is likely to lead to a dismissal. | "It is not appropriate to predict the outcome but an incident of this type is likely to lead to a dismissal. |
"Passenger safety is always our priority and it is completely unacceptable for any driver to behave in this manner." | "Passenger safety is always our priority and it is completely unacceptable for any driver to behave in this manner." |
Kevin Clinton, head of road safety for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said there was "no excuse" for reading any book or a map whilst driving. | |
He said: "It's astonishing that anybody would be so daft really to drive in that way when they are in charge of the safety of so many passengers. Reading a book while driving is illegal and dangerous." | |
Reading any material inside a moving vehicle was a physical, visual and mental distraction, he added. |
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