Kibo …

While walking through the pedestrianised shopping centre in Cheltenham today, I and two colleagues were passed by an Integral building maintenance van (KX57WVK). The driver, although in an area with a high concentration of pedestrians, including children, was merrily yacking on his mobile ‘phone while driving.

I tapped the side of the van to get the driver’s attention. When he stopped I reminded him that it’s illegal to talk on the ‘phone while driving. The driver immediately became aggressive towards the three of us. I remained calm throughout the exchange, when the driver pulled ahead, parked the van, and then got out and marched back towards us, still shouting and being abusive.

All the while I remained calm, pointing out that he was driving in a pedestrianised area where there were elderly people and children. He still remained agressive. “Who are you to tell me what to do!?” I’m a pedestrian, mate. With that, he started on my colleagues, one of whom is female.

The most bizarre part of the conversation was when he said that he’s just been on “a health and safety course”. Well, perhaps he needs to go on it again. Apparently it’s his boss’ fault for not providing a hands-free kit. Considering these are only a couple of quid there’s no excuse for not having one, even if it means buying one yourself. Is it best to lose a couple of pounds buying it yourself or to lose your licence/job/life because you’re driving with a ‘phone glued to your ear?

He just wouldn’t let it drop. He was just some meatheaded moron who thought he could intimidate us. He failed. He also forgot that not only was he wearing his company’s uniform and that he was driving a company vehicle, but that there’s this thing called The Internet. The Internet is an amazing resource, chock-full of information about places, people, and, most importantly, businesses. Thirty seconds surfing with my ‘phone led me to http://www.integral.co.uk/ and his boss’ ‘phone number.

All this moron had to do was say something along the lines of, “Yup, you’re right”, or, even simpler, just hang up and say nothing. As it is now, two of us have formally complained to his employer and he’s in for a personnel interview when he gets back to base this afternoon.

I don’t particularly care what happens from now on in. The driver was breaking the law, rude, and threatening in a public place. Unfortunately there was not a police officer in sight, otherwise I’d have reported him to the police there and then.

Should people have to put up with this sort of aggravation for stating the obvious? I don’t think we should. I’d have been reasonably comfortable if the driver had decided to take a swing at me. At least he’d be learning a far more painful lesson that he’s currently scheduled to received. I don’t mean that I’d have been able to give him a good shoe-ing back, but that he’d not only have to contend with his bosses, but with the police and a possible criminal conviction.

Integral is Britain’s biggest and fastest growing national provider of comprehensive maintenance services for commercial and public sector buildings - including financial institutions, retail outlets, property specialists, corporate premises, government departments, education and health services and social housing landlords.