Lord Campbell of Croyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they are taking to ensure that accidents do not occur on public roads arising from the use, while driving, of hand-held telephones by drivers of buses or coaches.
§ Baroness HaymanI am considering what action is needed to ensure that all drivers are aware of the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving. There are, however, already requirements relating to bus and coach drivers which are relevant.
Bus and coach drivers, like all other drivers, are legally obliged to have full control of their vehicle at all times under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 and to drive safely by the Road Traffic Act 1988, as amended by the Road Traffic Act 1991. In addition, bus and coach drivers have a general duty of care under the Public Service Vehicles (Conduct of Drivers, Inspectors, Conductors and Passengers) Regulations 1990.
Convictions for any driving offence committed under the 1988 Act or the 1990 Regulations are moreover regarded by the Traffic Commissioners as being relevant convictions for the purposes of the requirement that operators and their staff be of good repute as a condition of holding a public service vehicle operator's licence.