Driving in a bus lane

halibut2209

It's not automatically a breach. For example, if the traffic flow in a left hand lane is faster, then undertaking is permitted.

However, that probably wouldn't apply in this case. The courts would consider it a normal single carriageway, and the only way to pass would be to overtake when it is safe to do so. It's always worth an appeal, but I wouldn't expect it to be successful, unless there was a technical issue with the ticket.

RENEGADE_2

halibut2209 wrote: »

It's not automatically a breach. For example, if the traffic flow in a left hand lane is faster, then undertaking is permitted.

However, that probably wouldn't apply in this case. The courts would consider it a normal single carriageway, and the only way to pass would be to overtake when it is safe to do so. It's always worth an appeal, but I wouldn't expect it to be successful, unless there was a technical issue with the ticket.

I know what you mean. There are a few cases where it is permitted in actual fact but I was trying to say that it should not be done for the purpose of simply passing the vehicle in front of you just because the outside lane is closed. For example, it may seem slow to be driving at 30 MPH in a 40 or 50 zone and I know how tempting it can be when it is just one vehicle in front of you choosing to go slow (or maybe a tractor/horse carrier) and it is then that inside overtaking is considered dangerous driving.

halibut2209

On the converse though, slow driving can be deemed dangerous as it encourages risks from other drivers.

MaggieBaking

Certainly my husband never does "overtaking from the inside" on motorways or anything like that. We're well aware of how dangerous it is, in fact we've seen near misses caused by people acting recklessly and 'overtaking from the inside'.

In this instance, he's driving down a busy A Road, 3 lanes of traffic, passing a construction site with a lot of muck spilling out onto the road, hence the roadsweeper lorry which is driving very slowly. There is a queue of traffic building up and to ease the flow, he used the empty bus lane to navigate around it/

We understand that he has broken the rules and we are happy to pay the penalty. However, the circumstances are explainable, whether they're right or not is for the council to decide, the man we spoke to certainly made it sound like it was worth an objection. If we have to pay the fine that we are happy, my husband will understand that "no driving in the bus lane" means "never ever, no matter what".

RENEGADE_2

Absolutely. You have these semi-technical issues and as everyone says, do always appeal council tickets as you have nothing to lose. I only suggest your husband be more careful next time in his own interest.

As for inside overtaking, or "overgiving" as I call it jokingly, dangerous it may be but I have to be honest; of course I've done it a few times. The worst situation is to be in the outside lane of a motorway when the annoying driver in front of you is going the same speed as the middle-land vehicle causing you to be stuck behind both. It's an irritation, but to be honest, on a good stretch of motorway you can see a good mile ahead of you and can assess the situation. There again, I always tell myself I shalln't do it again and even now I don't recommend it.

MaggieBaking

Just to update, our appeal was rejected. We were able to pay the reduced rate of £30 which was my worry if we appealed I would have to pay more.

I was given the choice of appealing the decision, but we accept it.