A coach driver protected 80 children from a dangerous driver near Chelmsford. The man was jailed with suspended sentence.
A BMW and the coach left a roundabout, heading toward Sandon. The BMW driver clipped the curb and got squeezed between the coach and the road’s edge. Fortunately, no vehicles suffered any damage at that point.
The BMW driver was Clint Hydes, age 42. He followed the coach in a dangerous way. Near the Maldon Road exit, the coach driver changed his route to keep his passengers safe.
Hydes braked hard on the main road, almost causing a crash. He then reversed to reach the slip road, chasing the coach. Both drivers stopped on the A130 toward Basildon where the coach driver waited in a layby, having already called the police.
Police officers found Hydes’ car near the coach. Hydes had reversed against traffic again and exited his car saying he wanted insurance details. Officers then investigated the incident thoroughly.
Hydes appeared in court on January 27 and admitted to dangerous driving. The court sentenced him to six months in jail, suspended for a year. He must also do 150 hours of community service and cannot drive for 18 months.
Inspector James Freeman thanked the coach driver for keeping eighty children safe. His quick thinking worked well under pressure. The coach cameras recorded everything, highlighting Hydes’ anger. Hydes must retake a driving test later. This type of bad driving is unacceptable; report dangerous driving with “Extra Eyes.”