Take Your "Common Sense" With You on Tour Vehicles

[chicagolass]

Today many would argue that "common sense" is being defined as

"wisdom" because it's becoming a rare thing. I disagree. However, it

does alarm me when I go on tours, private or otherwise, abroad or at

home, and witness how many tourists are willing to remain silent and

accept the unsafe actions of some tour drivers. I know they mean

well and often consider it impolite to talk out,but it doesn't make sense.

 

It's as though some travelers check their common sense outside when

they enter the tour bus or other type vehicles. At times when they do become aware that the driver is not taking precautions whether it be

based on bad weather or mountainous roads with bad conditions or for whatever other reasons,yet they remain silent. They just sit with

clenched fists,perhaps say a silent prayer, and remain at the mercy

of a senseless tour driver.

 

In 2005 on a day tour from Miami Beach to the Florida Keys I

experienced such a scenario. The tour was booked through the hotel

and it was considered to be a reputable tour company. The late model

mini-bus appeared to be in tip-top shape. However, within thirty minutes

on the road I was aware that the lady driver in her late forties was a

speed demon and an unsafe driver who took dangerous risks.

 

Politely I asked her to slow down and drive at a safe speed.I reminded

her that it was supposed to be a pleasure trip. She smiled, but ignored

me. The other seven passengers remained silent. Then with one hand

she used her cell phone while the other was on the driving wheel.

As she talked her speed increased to over 85 mph. This time I insisted

that she slow down and to please keep both hands on the wheel.

She laughed and told me to sit back and enjoy the ride because she

knew the road very well. Still no other passengers spoke up. Granted

four were Europeans and didn't seem to speak much English, but the

others did.

 

Thankfully, as I was about to call the police, we heard sirens and

the police pulled her over and gave her a speeding ticket. It took

20 minutes for them to check out everything. Thereafter, she did

drive at a safer speed and took other precautions. I still shudder at

what could have happened during that hour of unsafe driving. Of

course, I reported her.

 

Yes, life is full of risks and accidents do happen;however, are we

doing enough to reduce those risks and accidents when we don't

remain alert and when we keep our silence. It seems that we need to

use foresight rather than just attain 20/20 vision in hindsight. It seems

that we need to trust our common sense and use it to do what's right

for the safety of all concerned when going on port tours.

[lambcom]

A couple of years ago our cruise ship visited Saint Kitts and we took a tour using a licensed local cab driver. He drove safely but when we climbed the high hill to visit the fortress, my DW, who was seated in the back seat with a friend, could hear the tires spinning.

 

When we reached the top and got out of the van (a Plymouth Caravan or the like) we noticed that there was virtually no tread whatsoever on the rear tires. We were in no position to dismiss the driver in the middle of nowhere, and the rest of the tour was no fun as we felt like we were riding in a time bomb.

 

Our cautionary note is to do a walk around inspection of the car before you get on board and leave the cruise terminal. You may save your life and avoid a lot of anxiety.

[tawcat]

a few years ago my dw and booked our very first through the cruiseline excursion, this after probably 8 or so cruises. we booked a horseback riding through jungle-river boat tour. it was by far the most enjoyable excursion ever. after this tragic mishap in chile, i reminded my dw about the belize bus ride. the excursion location was probably an hour and halfs drive from the pier. it was an overcast drizzly day. on the return trip a small pickup truck passed the bus we were on and cut in too soon. the bus driver swerved to avoid hitting the truck. with the roads being slick, the bus began to fishtail from one side of the road to the other. at one point the bus literally was up on two sets of tires. pretty scary, however, the driver was a good driver and somehow regained control and brought the bus to a safe stop. yes we all cheered and i am sure he got a very healthy tip from everyone.

 

moral of the story: ya just never know when something is gonna happen.

 

our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to all the families of the victims.

[Host Walt]

The OP's point is well taken.

 

If one is in Paris, for example, I suspect a tourist would not likely take a tour with any Jaques Deaux who has a sign and an old van, yet when on a cruise that happens all the time.

 

Ship sponsored tours are safe enough...most of the time, as are Gray Line tours, etc. But it makes sense to do reasonable amounts of research on what's available in each port before arriving.