Transportation Tuesday TRANSPORTATION TUESDAY Not everyone has their own vehicle. Many of us (and many of our children and parents) rely on public transport. When we use buses and taxis we put our lives in the hands of strangers.

Transportation Tuesday The driver has up to 40 peoples lives to worry about. He needs all his concentration and skills. You cause him a problem when you : –talk to him : giving him instructions is bad enough … asking him questions is worse! Wait until the bus stops. –block his view while he is driving –refuse to sit down (if the driver brakes suddenly you will fall and injure yourself or other passengers) –block the aisle with your luggage or other carry-on packages (use the proper storage location) –cause fights or arguments with him or other passengers TRAVELLING BY BUS Other bad ideas : smoking on a non-smoking bus carrying things on the bus that might injure other passengers spitting or dropping litter on the bus unauthorised animals - in some countries only guide dogs are allowed In some countries it is not recommended for women to travel alone on the bus at night - consider taking a taxi instead.

Transportation Tuesday YOUR CHILDREN ON THE BUS You know what its like with a couple of kids in the back of your car … how difficult is the school bus drivers job? Help him keep your children safe by encouraging them to : sit down : a bus full of children playing and running around is difficult to control behave : if the driver is trying to get children to be quiet, he is not concentrating on his driving do not play with emergency equipment (e.g. the emergency door handle, fire extinguisher, etc.) dont sit on the window ledges or backs of seats - you never know when the bus might need to make an emergency stop wear seat belts : some buses have seatbelts or lapbelts - explain to your children why its a good idea to use them when you get off the bus, wait until it pulls away before crossing the road

Transportation Tuesday TAXIS give clear instructions where they are going if there is no meter, agree a price in advance to save arguments later sit in the back and use the seatbelt - move to the front if there is no back seatbelt dont distract the driver unless they need to (see next slide) Note the drivers registration number or taxi meter number so they can recognise him later if required Always try to ride in authorised / registered taxis. This usually means the driver is trained the vehicle is maintained there are seatbelts and there is a way for you to report bad driving (the complaints department!)

Transportation Tuesday YOU ARE PAYING THE DRIVERS WAGES - YOU CALL THE SHOTS When you ride in a bus, or your children ride in a bus or a taxi - you are trusting the driver to deliver you safely to your destination. You are at risk when the driver : drives too fast or too close to other vehicles is aggressive to other drivers weaves in and out of traffic overtakes in dangerous places (on corners, blind hills) does not concentrate on driving (is he turning round to talk to you, messing with the radio, using a mobile phone, etc.?) YOU CAN CHANGE THIS ! Tell him what you think is wrong and warn him you will report him if his driving doesnt improve. If he persists, get him to stop and leave the vehicle. Report him to his office (most companies have complaint departments).

Transportation Tuesday