Dozy bus driver stuck on train tracks captured on CCTV

9:00am Wednesday 31st October 2012 in News Exclusive By James Cox

Dozy bus driver stuck on train tracks captured on CCTV Dozy bus driver stuck on train tracks captured on CCTV

A BUS driver, responsible for school runs, has been fined for running the gauntlet at a level crossing.

Marcus Lamm, 21, tried to squeeze through the closing barriers across the railway in Manningtree.

But he got stuck behind a slow tractor and did not make it across before the barriers closed, trapping him on the tracks.

The First bus was empty, apart from the driver, but had only just dropped off children from local schools.

Lamm, of Willow Way, Jaywick, admitted driving without due care and attention when he appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

The court heard how his driving blunder was spotted on CCTV and the operator was able to raise the gates before a train came.

He was handed a £300 fine, £100 court costs and had nine points on his licence.

Lamm lost his job but is now a driver for another company.

Full court report and more pictures in Wednesday's Gazette.

Comments (29)

9:22am Wed 31 Oct 12

SOMETHING2SAY says...

PATHETIC....Driving for another company ??? After this shambollic error...and 9 points ??..How is this allowed ?? .I dont think a 21 year old has enough road experience....especi
ally this chap !!! If the " new " company he works for, does schoo lruns...i think the parents , teachers , school should petition. Agree ????
PATHETIC....Driving for another company ??? After this shambollic error...and 9 points ??..How is this allowed ?? .I dont think a 21 year old has enough road experience....especi ally this chap !!! If the " new " company he works for, does schoo lruns...i think the parents , teachers , school should petition. Agree ???? SOMETHING2SAY

9:37am Wed 31 Oct 12

mirokou says...

please let me know the name of the other company he drives for, firstly why would they employ such a high risk driver and secondly , so my children aren't put at risk by him
please let me know the name of the other company he drives for, firstly why would they employ such a high risk driver and secondly , so my children aren't put at risk by him mirokou

9:53am Wed 31 Oct 12

SOMETHING2SAY says...

I very much hope someone will name names !
I very much hope someone will name names ! SOMETHING2SAY

11:42am Wed 31 Oct 12

totallyfootball says...

Fined, should be jailed and ganned for ten years, brainless idiot.
Fined, should be jailed and ganned for ten years, brainless idiot. totallyfootball

11:43am Wed 31 Oct 12

totallyfootball says...

Sorry meant banned, don't know what ganned is? Going for a lie down, on a level crossing.
Sorry meant banned, don't know what ganned is? Going for a lie down, on a level crossing. totallyfootball

11:53am Wed 31 Oct 12

romantic says...

Holy smoke, that could have been disastrous. Golden rule, of course, is not to drive onto a crossing until you know it´s clear the other side. There are flashing lights and sirens before the barriers come down, which this driver must have been aware of.

Really stupid thing to do, for the sake of saving a few minutes, and lucky for him that somebody was watching their monitors. He got away with it, but I really do hope that he will learn from this and take on board how bad it actually could have been.
Holy smoke, that could have been disastrous. Golden rule, of course, is not to drive onto a crossing until you know it´s clear the other side. There are flashing lights and sirens before the barriers come down, which this driver must have been aware of. Really stupid thing to do, for the sake of saving a few minutes, and lucky for him that somebody was watching their monitors. He got away with it, but I really do hope that he will learn from this and take on board how bad it actually could have been. romantic

11:58am Wed 31 Oct 12

Mr Honest says...

He works for New Horizon Travel based in Frating. The Company obviously didnt get a reference for him from first. He should have been banned for years. NHT have to get rid of him anyway surely. A 21 year old with 9 points? Dont use that company for gods sake, you might end up dead if he is driving!
He works for New Horizon Travel based in Frating. The Company obviously didnt get a reference for him from first. He should have been banned for years. NHT have to get rid of him anyway surely. A 21 year old with 9 points? Dont use that company for gods sake, you might end up dead if he is driving! Mr Honest

12:20pm Wed 31 Oct 12

ColchesterBelgian says...

What is to say this moron wouldn't have taken this risk with children? He should never be allowed to drive passengers again.
What is to say this moron wouldn't have taken this risk with children? He should never be allowed to drive passengers again. ColchesterBelgian

1:11pm Wed 31 Oct 12

icecoolmark says...

He wouldn't have got a reference from 'First' as it's against the law to issue a bad reference... A stupid law, almost as bad as allowing a 21 year old to drive a double decker bus with school children on it... I wouldn't let my kids on a bus witha 21 year old at the wheel, let alone a lunatic like this idiot!
He wouldn't have got a reference from 'First' as it's against the law to issue a bad reference... A stupid law, almost as bad as allowing a 21 year old to drive a double decker bus with school children on it... I wouldn't let my kids on a bus witha 21 year old at the wheel, let alone a lunatic like this idiot! icecoolmark

4:07pm Wed 31 Oct 12

blue bird says...

Omg that is totally shocking bad driving. Nht do mainly school runs so he's driving children around. That's if it is that company he's working for. I wouldn't let my child on his bus
Omg that is totally shocking bad driving. Nht do mainly school runs so he's driving children around. That's if it is that company he's working for. I wouldn't let my child on his bus blue bird

4:08pm Wed 31 Oct 12

concernedrefuture says...

Quote " Golden rule, of course, is not to drive onto a crossing until you know it´s clear the other side." How many of you comment makers have been 'caught' in a yellow box because the exit wasn't clear? Not that I don't think this driver was silly, but we can all makes mistakes.
Quote " Golden rule, of course, is not to drive onto a crossing until you know it´s clear the other side." How many of you comment makers have been 'caught' in a yellow box because the exit wasn't clear? Not that I don't think this driver was silly, but we can all makes mistakes. concernedrefuture

4:11pm Wed 31 Oct 12

concernedrefuture says...

Amendment #1
for 'makes' read 'make'!
Amendment #1 for 'makes' read 'make'! concernedrefuture

4:28pm Wed 31 Oct 12

genhol says...

Do you not think though he would have to show his licence to his employer do they are probably well aware
Do you not think though he would have to show his licence to his employer do they are probably well aware genhol

4:35pm Wed 31 Oct 12

The Yellow Peril says...

Using the word "dozy" in the title of this article rather trivialises the seriousness of the matter though doesn't it? It's a bit like saying "a dozy knife-wielding man stabbed his victim in the leg"
Using the word "dozy" in the title of this article rather trivialises the seriousness of the matter though doesn't it? It's a bit like saying "a dozy knife-wielding man stabbed his victim in the leg" The Yellow Peril

4:51pm Wed 31 Oct 12

romantic says...

concernedrefuture wrote:
Quote " Golden rule, of course, is not to drive onto a crossing until you know it´s clear the other side." How many of you comment makers have been 'caught' in a yellow box because the exit wasn't clear? Not that I don't think this driver was silly, but we can all makes mistakes.
Of course, most drivers have done that, and I´m no different, but in all probability the worse that will happen is you´ll block lots of other angry drivers.

The thing is that the barriers don´t suddenly come down unannounced. There are flashing lights and alarms first, precisely so that people can get across before the barriers drop. Quite probably, the tractor should have stopped as well.

There is silly and a mistake, and there is alarmingly dangerous. The fact that this driver is prepared to take a risk of this sort is the scary thing. If he is prepared to risk it once, the likelihood is he will drive recklessly with a bus full of passengers too.

He was very lucky to get away with it, in reality. I´m sure not every crossing is monitored by CCTV, it is pure luck that somebody saw the situation and acted quickly. A fast train hitting that bus full on would certainly have killed him and may even have disrailed the train.

If he is driving for NHT, they should be making sure he drives safely. Nobody likes a witch-hunt, but a bus can do a lot of damage, and next time it could be you or me coming round the corner while he steams along the other way.
[quote][p][bold]concernedrefuture[/bold] wrote: Quote " Golden rule, of course, is not to drive onto a crossing until you know it´s clear the other side." How many of you comment makers have been 'caught' in a yellow box because the exit wasn't clear? Not that I don't think this driver was silly, but we can all makes mistakes.[/p][/quote]Of course, most drivers have done that, and I´m no different, but in all probability the worse that will happen is you´ll block lots of other angry drivers. The thing is that the barriers don´t suddenly come down unannounced. There are flashing lights and alarms first, precisely so that people can get across before the barriers drop. Quite probably, the tractor should have stopped as well. There is silly and a mistake, and there is alarmingly dangerous. The fact that this driver is prepared to take a risk of this sort is the scary thing. If he is prepared to risk it once, the likelihood is he will drive recklessly with a bus full of passengers too. He was very lucky to get away with it, in reality. I´m sure not every crossing is monitored by CCTV, it is pure luck that somebody saw the situation and acted quickly. A fast train hitting that bus full on would certainly have killed him and may even have disrailed the train. If he is driving for NHT, they should be making sure he drives safely. Nobody likes a witch-hunt, but a bus can do a lot of damage, and next time it could be you or me coming round the corner while he steams along the other way. romantic

4:56pm Wed 31 Oct 12

Grabber says...

He should of had his PSV removed from his licence and ordered to retake a test, No way will my children be on a bus driven by him he is only just out of nappies himself !
He should of had his PSV removed from his licence and ordered to retake a test, No way will my children be on a bus driven by him he is only just out of nappies himself ! Grabber

6:29pm Wed 31 Oct 12

Ontheball says...

He should also have been charged with endangering persons on the railway. No way should he be let anywhere near a public service vehicle!
He should also have been charged with endangering persons on the railway. No way should he be let anywhere near a public service vehicle! Ontheball

6:34pm Wed 31 Oct 12

Im_Like_HELLO says...

I'm not sure he's "dozy", "arrogant" would be a better word - he thought he could get through in time and found out that he couldn't.
I'm not sure he's "dozy", "arrogant" would be a better word - he thought he could get through in time and found out that he couldn't. Im_Like_HELLO

10:27pm Wed 31 Oct 12

SOMETHING2SAY says...

so....do you all agree with my earlier blog ??? have this thoughtless , incompetant, removed from services ???
so....do you all agree with my earlier blog ??? have this thoughtless , incompetant, removed from services ??? SOMETHING2SAY

7:17am Thu 1 Nov 12

EssexBoy1956 says...

Well at least this muppet was actually going over the level crossing unlike his colleague a few weeks ago who was trying (unsuccessfully) to squeeze under the adjacent bridge!
I'm absolutely amazed that it's possible for a 21 year old to get a licence to carry passengers. If the government are worried about 17 year olds being a danger on the roads (as apparently they are) then they should surely be worried about drivers carrying passengers, especially children, without a lot more on-road experience. Sounds like a petition to our new Police Commissioner would be in order.
Well at least this muppet was actually going over the level crossing unlike his colleague a few weeks ago who was trying (unsuccessfully) to squeeze under the adjacent bridge! I'm absolutely amazed that it's possible for a 21 year old to get a licence to carry passengers. If the government are worried about 17 year olds being a danger on the roads (as apparently they are) then they should surely be worried about drivers carrying passengers, especially children, without a lot more on-road experience. Sounds like a petition to our new Police Commissioner would be in order. EssexBoy1956

8:21am Thu 1 Nov 12

*bubbles2 says...

This bloke was silly for what he done and your right he should not be driving other people/kids around, but its unfair to save all 21 year olds cant drive a bus, i know a 21 one year old who does it and is very good at his job he drives some the busses better than what some older people drive them, not every young person drives in a silly way,
This bloke was silly for what he done and your right he should not be driving other people/kids around, but its unfair to save all 21 year olds cant drive a bus, i know a 21 one year old who does it and is very good at his job he drives some the busses better than what some older people drive them, not every young person drives in a silly way, *bubbles2

9:06am Thu 1 Nov 12

EssexBoy1956 says...

Fair point bubbles..., and you could say the same about 17 year-olds' driving. There are indeed some very sensible young drivers around, but the real point is that until you have a great deal of experience, you really have no understanding of the consequences of your actions. This driver probably was "dozy" in as much as he just wasn't thinking about the consequence of being stuck on the crossing when he went through the red light. Perhaps if he had a few more years' experience (and I don't just mean driving experience) under his belt, he would have some knowledge of the danger in which he was putting himself and potentially a number of other people. What harm would there be in raising the age for a PSV licence to say, 30?
Fair point bubbles..., and you could say the same about 17 year-olds' driving. There are indeed some very sensible young drivers around, but the real point is that until you have a great deal of experience, you really have no understanding of the consequences of your actions. This driver probably was "dozy" in as much as he just wasn't thinking about the consequence of being stuck on the crossing when he went through the red light. Perhaps if he had a few more years' experience (and I don't just mean driving experience) under his belt, he would have some knowledge of the danger in which he was putting himself and potentially a number of other people. What harm would there be in raising the age for a PSV licence to say, 30? EssexBoy1956

10:05am Thu 1 Nov 12

*bubbles2 says...

my other half is doing his test and he is 25 and i good driver, at the end the day it should be down to the company to say if the drivers they are taking on are good enough, they should do a private test for every employer and them to say if they think they are good enough, the bloke who done this clearly thougth he could get passed and he messed up big time, if he does anyting else wrong while driving he will loose his licence and job, which i agree with i think he should had a few month ban to make him relise how much he needs his licence to work, small fines mean nothing it just money at the end the day, but no liecene for him means no money,
my other half is doing his test and he is 25 and i good driver, at the end the day it should be down to the company to say if the drivers they are taking on are good enough, they should do a private test for every employer and them to say if they think they are good enough, the bloke who done this clearly thougth he could get passed and he messed up big time, if he does anyting else wrong while driving he will loose his licence and job, which i agree with i think he should had a few month ban to make him relise how much he needs his licence to work, small fines mean nothing it just money at the end the day, but no liecene for him means no money, *bubbles2

10:42am Thu 1 Nov 12

SOMETHING2SAY says...

Just spoken to the new company he works for and have been told he is no longer on any driving duties...RESULT !
Just spoken to the new company he works for and have been told he is no longer on any driving duties...RESULT ! SOMETHING2SAY

1:43pm Thu 1 Nov 12

Justice79 says...

He seems to have really bad driving skills, it must be some comfort to him that this is apparently a prerequisite to drive for Panther Cabs perhaps he should give them a call.
He seems to have really bad driving skills, it must be some comfort to him that this is apparently a prerequisite to drive for Panther Cabs perhaps he should give them a call. Justice79

11:20am Sat 3 Nov 12

OrangeChris says...

I agree with the above comments about how stupid he was to drive over the crossing!! Clearly just wanted to get off home a few mins early so tried to cut across and subsequently failed. Surely this counts as 'dangerous driving', or if he claims he didn't see/hear the warning signals, it would be 'driving without due care and attention'.

Those saying that 21 is to young to drive a bus are wrong, all bus drivers have to pass the same tests so just because of their age doesn't make them less safe than a 41 year old bus driver.
I agree with the above comments about how stupid he was to drive over the crossing!! Clearly just wanted to get off home a few mins early so tried to cut across and subsequently failed. Surely this counts as 'dangerous driving', or if he claims he didn't see/hear the warning signals, it would be 'driving without due care and attention'. Those saying that 21 is to young to drive a bus are wrong, all bus drivers have to pass the same tests so just because of their age doesn't make them less safe than a 41 year old bus driver. OrangeChris

2:33pm Sat 3 Nov 12

EssexBoy1956 says...

OrangeChris wrote:
I agree with the above comments about how stupid he was to drive over the crossing!! Clearly just wanted to get off home a few mins early so tried to cut across and subsequently failed. Surely this counts as 'dangerous driving', or if he claims he didn't see/hear the warning signals, it would be 'driving without due care and attention'.

Those saying that 21 is to young to drive a bus are wrong, all bus drivers have to pass the same tests so just because of their age doesn't make them less safe than a 41 year old bus driver.
How ridiculous. If you apply the logic that just because somebody has passed a test, a 21 year old is as safe as a 41 year old, then that would apply in the case of a 17 year old and a 37 year old. Look at the stats mate. Ask the insurance companies.

The point is that it's experience that makes a driver safer not passing a test.
[quote][p][bold]OrangeChris[/bold] wrote: I agree with the above comments about how stupid he was to drive over the crossing!! Clearly just wanted to get off home a few mins early so tried to cut across and subsequently failed. Surely this counts as 'dangerous driving', or if he claims he didn't see/hear the warning signals, it would be 'driving without due care and attention'. Those saying that 21 is to young to drive a bus are wrong, all bus drivers have to pass the same tests so just because of their age doesn't make them less safe than a 41 year old bus driver.[/p][/quote]How ridiculous. If you apply the logic that just because somebody has passed a test, a 21 year old is as safe as a 41 year old, then that would apply in the case of a 17 year old and a 37 year old. Look at the stats mate. Ask the insurance companies. The point is that it's experience that makes a driver safer not passing a test. EssexBoy1956

2:37pm Sat 3 Nov 12

EssexBoy1956 says...

OrangeChris wrote:
I agree with the above comments about how stupid he was to drive over the crossing!! Clearly just wanted to get off home a few mins early so tried to cut across and subsequently failed. Surely this counts as 'dangerous driving', or if he claims he didn't see/hear the warning signals, it would be 'driving without due care and attention'.

Those saying that 21 is to young to drive a bus are wrong, all bus drivers have to pass the same tests so just because of their age doesn't make them less safe than a 41 year old bus driver.
duh, so that would be why he was done for driving without due care and attention, then! Wake up mate!
[quote][p][bold]OrangeChris[/bold] wrote: I agree with the above comments about how stupid he was to drive over the crossing!! Clearly just wanted to get off home a few mins early so tried to cut across and subsequently failed. Surely this counts as 'dangerous driving', or if he claims he didn't see/hear the warning signals, it would be 'driving without due care and attention'. Those saying that 21 is to young to drive a bus are wrong, all bus drivers have to pass the same tests so just because of their age doesn't make them less safe than a 41 year old bus driver.[/p][/quote]duh, so that would be why he was done for driving without due care and attention, then! Wake up mate! EssexBoy1956

8:46am Mon 5 Nov 12

*bubbles2 says...

It does not matter what age you are older people still crash they still speed drive with no seat belts or on there phone over take in silly places. so soon as you hit a age your driving is perfect!!! hmmm some how i think not,
It does not matter what age you are older people still crash they still speed drive with no seat belts or on there phone over take in silly places. so soon as you hit a age your driving is perfect!!! hmmm some how i think not, *bubbles2

Comments are closed on this article.

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree