Passing a stationary bus ?overtaking

Impet_Limpet

Heres a question, in our area we have a 20mph road where they removed the laybys and instead now the buses are to stop at the side of the road. The whole carriageway is built on the concept of "shared space". Upon digging for info the orange areas are actually considered carriageway still.


Picture from here http://www.barbourproductsearch.info/layton-district-centre-blackpool-news011239.html

Cars used to pass the buses when they were stopped of course by driving on the orange part. Especially if an emergency vehicle came up the road (it is near to our towns hospital)

I never did this anyway - I'm never in a hurry!

"someone" had requested no overtaking signs to be put up in that area to stop this happening which may sound a great idea.

BUT

Is passing a stationary bus at a bus stop considered overtaking? What if it was a broken down car in the road?

Billy-no-Money

I'd like the answer to this one too - is the picture Layton in Blackpool? [edit: clicked on the link and it is indeed Layton] If so I travel through there quite regularly - and I'm on a motorbike, so can pass a bus with no difficulty.

There's so many signs here I didn't see the 'no overtaking' until I'd been travelling daily along this road for several months - and I only saw it because I was on my pushbike so I had more time to take it in!

Personally I think the idea is to wait behind the bus - and it might seem like a long wait but they're not usually stopped for long. It's a big problem for the ambulances, but apart from that I think any delay here just means you take a bit longer to get to the back of the next queue! Roads in Blackpool are atrocious.....

Impet_Limpet

lol yes it is the one in Blackpool.

The no overtaking signs have only been put up on one side of the carriageway and the signs were only put into place a few weeks ago. lol!

Someone mentioned to me that the person who requested the signs has now asked the police to enforce this rule but has been told they're not actually enforceable on a bus waiting at a bus stop - I wondered whether this was correct or just a rumour!

movingforward2010

why would anyone want to sit on those benches between to lanes of traffic ? :rotfl:

Impet_Limpet

Its so the drunks walking out of the working mans club across the road to the cash machine can take a breather half way there.

Look actually no one who lives round here knows either

http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/blackpoolnews/Council-puts-seats-in-middle.2900827.jp

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

I would have thought that you weren't overtaking a stationary bus, you were passing it. Even a solid white line in the centre of the carriageway does not prevent one from overtaking a vehicle that is stopped, or travelling below 12mph.

DaveF327

To answer your question precisely, you'd have to look at the traffic regulation order which has to be in force for the accompanying sign to be effective.

Although I can't find the exact order, I've found similar orders which read as follows:

Temporary prohibition on overtaking
3. (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this Article, no person shall use, or permit the use of, any vehicle in such a way that it overtakes any other moving vehicle on each length of road specified in column 1 during the period corresponding to that length of road specified in column 2 when a prohibition is identified as applying to a part or parts of that length of road by means of a traffic sign prescribed in Diagram 632 of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002(a).
(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) of this Article shall prohibit any person from using, or permitting the use of, any vehicle in such a way that it overtakes a cycle, motor cycle, tricycle or any other vehicle not being a motor vehicle in accordance with section 140 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984(b).

It would make sense if all orders were similarly worded, but you'd need to make sure. On the balance of probabilities, it's highly likely that the prohibition on overtaking would not include passing any stationary vehicle or anything on two wheels, but it makes sense to check with your council.

Of course, common sense would still apply so always follow Highway Code advice to beware pedestrians crossing the road either having alighted the bus or chasing after it.

Impet_Limpet

So would it just be a case of emailing the council and asking for the TRO?

"Please sir/madam,

What is the specifc wording of the TRO relating to the prohibition on overtaking that has recently been imposed on the site of the [STRIKE]abomination, laughing stock [/STRIKE] urban traffic award of the year on Westcliffe Drive, Layton.

Many thanks

Martine

EDIT yes absolutely agreed that of course common sense should prevail in all highway situations!

Impet_Limpet

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

I would have thought that you weren't overtaking a stationary bus, you were passing it. Even a solid white line in the centre of the carriageway does not prevent one from overtaking a vehicle that is stopped, or travelling below 12mph.

I LOVE your username!

DaveF327

Martine1081 wrote: »

So would it just be a case of emailing the council and asking for the TRO?

"Please sir/madam,

What is the specifc wording of the TRO relating to the prohibition on overtaking that has recently been imposed on the site of the [STRIKE]abomination, laughing stock [/STRIKE] urban traffic award of the year on Westcliffe Drive, Layton.

Many thanks

Martine

Something along those lines, yes.. but give me another 24 hours and I'll see what I can dig up to narrow your search.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

Even a solid white line in the centre of the carriageway does not prevent one from overtaking a vehicle that is stopped, or travelling below 12mph.

It's actually 10mph, but I'd love to see the local constabulary proving that one with their lasers and cameras