Bus driver sacked for using iPad while driving on M50

A bus driver for a private coach operator has been sacked after using his iPad while driving his bus at 100km/h on the M50 two years ago. CCTV cameras put in place by Aircoach recorded driver Sean Purcell take his two hands off the steering wheel to take out his iPad on July 22, 2013.

The Employment Appeals Tribunal hearing into Mr Purcell’s claim for unfair dismissal records that Mr Purcell was driving the empty bus “at 100km/h”.

The CCTV footage then recorded Mr Purcell having an iPad in one hand with the other hand on the steering wheel, and on two or three occasions not having either hand on the steering wheel.

The CCTV footage opened to the tribunal showed Mr Purcell removing both hands from the steering wheel and steering the coach with his elbow while he activated the iPad, before driving the coach with only one hand on the steering wheel while he held the iPad to his ear with the other hand.

Aircoach was alerted to Mr Purcell’s use of the iPad while driving by a motorist who witnessed what had occurred and contacted the firm to complain.

A driver-trainer with Aircoach, identified as AMcM, told the tribunal that Mr Purcell was not driving safely and that he was “horrified” after viewing the CCTV footage.

He immediately informed the firm’s operations manager, identified only as AK, who then viewed the CCTV footage of the incident “and became seriously concerned from a health and safety point of view”.

She said that Mr Purcell “had put both himself and others in danger”. AK suspended Mr Purcell with full pay on July 24, 2013, pending an enquiry into the matter.

AK said that Mr Purcell “was a reliable employee and had a good working relationship with staff members”.

At a investigation meeting on July 25, 2013, Mr Purcell said he was “listening to an audio radio on the iPad and that the coach radio was not working and there was wind coming from the door of the coach”.

Mr Purcell “thought the company should have no issue as it was not a mobile phone he was using”. He appealed internally the decision to dismiss him and the firm’s managing director Allen Parker told the tribunal “it was apparent from the CCTV footage that Mr Purcell was significantly distracted and not fully concentrating on the road in front of him which constituted a serious breach of health and safety procedures and endangered other road users”.

On the day in question, Mr Purcell said that he had worked a 12-hour roster. It was just before 7.30pm and the M50 was not busy.

He told the tribunal hearing, held over three days in Dublin, that he wanted something to keep him alert and focused and that he had felt in control of the vehicle.

The tribunal dismissed Mr Purcell’s claim for unfair dismissal and said his actions “constituted a serious safety risk”.