Bus Lanes

[Matheous-2]

Would it be classed as an offence if I undertake another car who is turning right and drive into the empty bus lane?

[DTCwordfan]

yes

[Count-A-Strong]

I did it once and nearly killed a cyclist. Oooops.

[boxtops]

yes, certainly

[derekpara]

mdoo has asked the key question. If the bus lane is not in operation you can legally use it.

I quite often drive many hundreds of yards in a bus lane while other drivers are queueing in the next lane. They never seem to check the times the bus lane is in operation, assuming that a bus lane is ALWAYS banned to cars.

[Andyvon]

Many drivers don't check the bus lane times Derek and they could use the lanes if they knew they could - or if they had the courage!

I sometimes see a similar effect on motorways (especially the M3 and M27 for some reason). I can occasionally be the only car in the inside lane and I'm doing about 40mph while the two other lanes are stationary. I don't go faster as someone might lurch in front of me from the middle lane. I don't think those drivers can bear the indignity of actually being in the inside lane. The place for their cars is in the middle or outside lane - even if they aren't moving!

People don't check the

[derekpara]

Andy, I totally agree with you, and I drive exactly as you describe on busy motorways. The inside lane ( lane 1 ) is quite often the fastest lane and I can sometimes travel over a mile, passing very slow moving traffic in the outer lanes. And it is NOT 'undertaking' because I am already in that lane, having seen what's happening up ahead. I also agree with your cautionary 40mph whilst passing drivers who think it's below their dignity to ever drive in what they perceive as the ' slow' lane.

And the hard shoulder is a safety net if idiots do suddenly swerve in.

Cheers.

D

[red_imp999]

You need to watch out for the bus ploughing into your side as you pull across :-)

[funnygirl]

I know this is an offence, but there is nowt more annoying than waiting for someone to turn and there is an empty lane waiting.

Sometimes the traffic just tails back as the oncoming traffic is heavy and won't let anyone through.