bus lanes- lack of use by motorists
Discussion
amir_j said:
seems in many areas people have been put off by the potential fines warning and just dont use them even when the sign is clearly saying mon-fri only etc.
Just wondering if its now part of the driving test etc so at least the new generations will?
Yes it is something that they'll be expected to do correctly on test.Just wondering if its now part of the driving test etc so at least the new generations will?
VX Foxy said:
Zumbruk said:
I think in my case it's because the sign doesn't "clearly say". The only way I could read all that text sensibly would be to stop, so it's easier just not to use the bus lane at all.
Am I sensing some sarcasm here?My experience of these signs is mostly in London. A further aspect is that there are often parked vehicles in the bus lane, giving a further reason for avoiding use of the bus lane.
One slightly ironic issue is that we are expected to be able to respect time specific signs, but there is no requirement for a vehicle to have a clock, or for it to work even if one is fitted.
As to the driving test, I can confirm that not using a bus lane outside its hours of operation constitutes a fault.
waremark said:
VX Foxy said:
Zumbruk said:
I think in my case it's because the sign doesn't "clearly say". The only way I could read all that text sensibly would be to stop, so it's easier just not to use the bus lane at all.
Am I sensing some sarcasm here?We have recently acquired a bus lane on Filey Road (A165) leading into Scarborough. It is operational seven day a week between the hours of 0700 and 1900, but virtually all traffic (apart from buses and taxis) keeps out of it at all times.
As somebody else has pointed out it is often very difficult to read the signs about hours of operation, given the amount of attention required for observing other things.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
As somebody else has pointed out it is often very difficult to read the signs about hours of operation, given the amount of attention required for observing other things.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
I will use them where I can, but totally agree that there's often so much info/hazards (as bus lanes tend to be in built-up/busy areas anyway) where the lane begins that it can be hard to process whether using the lane is allowed.
This is especially true where there are lots of bus lanes in an area, and lanes are bus-only between quite specific times (e.g 7-10am and 4-7pm Monday-Saturday). Couple that with the fact that you can drive half a mile and get to a lane that is active 7am-7pm all week, which then changes back to another different set of times further down the road, it can be quite tricky.
ETA - Kind of obviously, not using them when allowed would also be picked up and criticised on an IAM/Rospa test.
This is especially true where there are lots of bus lanes in an area, and lanes are bus-only between quite specific times (e.g 7-10am and 4-7pm Monday-Saturday). Couple that with the fact that you can drive half a mile and get to a lane that is active 7am-7pm all week, which then changes back to another different set of times further down the road, it can be quite tricky.
ETA - Kind of obviously, not using them when allowed would also be picked up and criticised on an IAM/Rospa test.
Edited by _Neal_ on Wednesday 2nd September 10:40
Checked a piece of road in central London that I use most days. At a point where my route turns right at a T junction onto a road with a bus lane we have:
• Traffic lights
• Pedestrian crossing
• Two lanes changing into three lanes + bus lane
• Route direction signs (albeit none of which actually tell you which lane you should be in)
• Side roads some 50 yds after the T junction
• One way signs for both main and side roads
• Red route signs
• Red route lines at the edges of the road
• Bus lane enforcement camera warning signs
• An actual bus lane enforcement camera
• Oh yes, and the bus lane information sign, advising that the bus lane is restricted to buses, taxis and motor bikes between 7am, to 10am and 4pm to 7pm
I now don’t feel too bad about the fact that I wasn’t sure about when I could use the bus lane until I concentrated really hard to identify and read the sign!
• Traffic lights
• Pedestrian crossing
• Two lanes changing into three lanes + bus lane
• Route direction signs (albeit none of which actually tell you which lane you should be in)
• Side roads some 50 yds after the T junction
• One way signs for both main and side roads
• Red route signs
• Red route lines at the edges of the road
• Bus lane enforcement camera warning signs
• An actual bus lane enforcement camera
• Oh yes, and the bus lane information sign, advising that the bus lane is restricted to buses, taxis and motor bikes between 7am, to 10am and 4pm to 7pm
I now don’t feel too bad about the fact that I wasn’t sure about when I could use the bus lane until I concentrated really hard to identify and read the sign!
VX Foxy said:
The A38 Tyburn Road bus lane in Brum is a great example; hardly anyone uses it but it has been out of action for years!
So right, i've lost count of the number of muppets beeping at me for undertaking slow moving traffic in a 'suspended' bus lane!Why can't these morons simply read a sign??????
king buses dont even use!!!Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff