The Cost Of Driving In A Bus Lane
Thursday, 22. November 2018
I’ve done this myself and got really angry in the worst town in the world for driver convictions (in my opinion) – Croydon. I was fairly close behind a bus travelling through the town and as we crossed over a crossroad into the same road without seeing any sign to show that the road opposite was simply a two-way bus lane. Of course by the time I saw that the road was simply a bus lane it was too late. A No Entry sign showing ‘Except buses, taxis and cycles’ underneath would have been handy.
So I wasn’t surprised to read that drivers were fined £42 million for driving in bus lanes last year. One road alone generated £1.48 million in fines. Last year there were 888,760 notices issued. In London the fines for driving in a bus lane reached £7.57 million with Ealing council responsible for more than 40% (£3.1 million) of London’s total.
In Glasgow drivers were fined £6.52 million whilst Cardiff drivers had to part with £5.59 million for driving in a bus lane. Confused.com were behind the figures collated after a Freedom of Information request. It also found out that 39% of drivers admitted driving in a bus lane whilst 48% said they had done so unwittingly. 41% said that they had done so because of unclear markings or signage – I know what they mean.
Confused.com’s motoring editor, Amanda Stretton, suggested that bus lanes present the most confusing challenge to motorists. She also suggested that the money raised should be used to improve signage and questioned the level of fines as motorists felt they were ‘unfair and excessive’. The High Street in Oxford was the road that generated the most revenue at £1.48 million. Potentially because only buses, taxis and cycles are permitted to enter sections of the street between 7.30am and 6.30pm.
You’ve been warned. By Graham Hill
