Over the last few days a surreal comedic drama of sorts has played out in Sweden.
A bus driver who was speaking on the phone while driving, with noticeable effects on his driving capability, was called on it by a passenger and asked to cease his talking.
The reaction constitutes the surreal part of this. He started arguing with the passenger (an elderly gentleman), almost loosing what little vehicle control he had left. dangerously swirving back and forth on the road. After having stopped the bus at a bus stop, he left his seat and started rowing (correct? shouting...) at the gentleman and those passengers who supported him. The end result was that four passengers were evicted from the bus.
It was caught on video by one of the passengers and made it out into the bloggosphere.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxeDTmYN2DUhttp://diolivetti.wordpress.com/When confronted with the actions of one of their drivers the bus company has yet to show a reaction other than dismissive. (The main bus operator, contracting this one, has however shown appropriate reaction - remains to be seen exactly what the consequences are).
I am curious as to how often this kind of thing happens in other places/countries.
1) Is it frequent for bus drivers to be speaking over mobile phones while driving?
2) Is it allowed?
3) What would the reaction be to this kind of behaviour? Would he be sacked on the spot, or would it more along the lines of under-carpet-sweeping?