Bus Lane Violation

Author
Discussion

peterhw100

Original Poster:

4 posts

86 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
quotequote all
Just received notification and a fine of £60 from Southampton City Council for being in a bus lane.

No doubt I was in the bus lane - photo confirms it. The photo also shows:-

1. The bus lane terminating (for traffic lights) within probably 50-100 yards
2. Nothing in front of me.
3. A car to the right of me in the photograph (looks stationary but suspect moving slowly) just about to turn right - i.e. the 'reason' for being in the bus lane.

I am no causing any problem to anyone - in fact I am 'keeping the traffic moving' and 'minimising pollution' (by not stopping and starting unnecessarily).

Should I just get settle up and the 50% discount or argue a case for reasonableness.
This was surely never the intended purpose of bus lanes

Appreciate constructive feedback from anyone

RemyMartin81D

6,759 posts

205 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
quotequote all
My argument if it was contested by yourself and i was the other party was, why were in the bus lane in the first place?

If there is clear signage showing times and what is and isn't allowed, in afraid your onto a loser. However best of luck if you choose to fight it.

addz86

1,439 posts

186 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
quotequote all
I got two, one Monday and the second Tuesday morning both going to work in Nottingham.

Both times only just over the line going past a car trying to turn right which was annoying but I just payed them both early to get them discounted to £30

peterhw100

Original Poster:

4 posts

86 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
quotequote all
My only grounds were the car to the right of me about to turn and would never have considered 'obstructing' the bus lane or anyone using the bus lane.

Thanks for super fast response - almost grounds for speeding !

peterhw100

Original Poster:

4 posts

86 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
quotequote all
addz86 said:
I got two, one Monday and the second Tuesday morning both going to work in Nottingham.

Both times only just over the line going past a car trying to turn right which was annoying but I just payed them both early to get them discounted to £30
Thanks for response and figure that's what I'll do.


pembo

1,204 posts

193 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
quotequote all
But what if there was something coming behind you?

I cycle along a bus lane every morning, there is regularly a queue of traffic queued up next to it and on the odd occasion people get frustrated with waiting in line and decide that they can use the bus lane to save a few minutes.

A few weeks ago, dressed in a garish mix of orange and red (so very visible) I had a car pull out on me as I passed him and pushed me up against the kerb where luckily I was just able to keep myself upright. The guy had no idea I was there.

TwigtheWonderkid

43,317 posts

150 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
quotequote all
peterhw100 said:
3. A car to the right of me in the photograph (looks stationary but suspect moving slowly) just about to turn right - i.e. the 'reason' for being in the bus lane.
Surely the real reason you were in the bus lane is that you didn't realise it was a bus lane? If I were to move left to pass a car waiting to turn right, I wouldn't do it if it was a bus lane, unless I missed the signs telling me it was a bus lane. I wouldn't think I was able to legally enter the bus lane because my lane was blocked.

thelawnet1

1,539 posts

155 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
quotequote all
I got one of these in London, basically waiting at a queue, lights went green, moved over into last few yards of bus lane to go through the lights, fine received in the post. I looked it up at the time and I didn't have a leg (legally) to stand on, you just pay up, sorry to say.

steve2

1,772 posts

218 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
quotequote all
Send a cheque in with a covering letter explaining why you drifted slightly into the bus lane and see what happens.
I got let off a few years ago by doing this although I was only a third of my car width in the bus lane

peterhw100

Original Poster:

4 posts

86 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
quotequote all
pembo said:
But what if there was something coming behind you?

I cycle along a bus lane every morning, there is regularly a queue of traffic queued up next to it and on the odd occasion people get frustrated with waiting in line and decide that they can use the bus lane to save a few minutes.

A few weeks ago, dressed in a garish mix of orange and red (so very visible) I had a car pull out on me as I passed him and pushed me up against the kerb where luckily I was just able to keep myself upright. The guy had no idea I was there.
There wasn't anything behind me - wouldn't dream of 'just pulling across' without looking / signalling
Glad to hear your OK and dress in a manner where you should be seen easily

PorkInsider

5,882 posts

141 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
quotequote all
I'd be surprised if you get anywhere contesting it, OP.

When people have had their appeals rejected after pulling into a bus lanes, on almost traffic-free roads, to let ambulances pass I'm not sure what would be deemed a good enough reason.

Mandat

3,884 posts

238 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
quotequote all
I would advise you to contest each and every such PCN.

I have in the past also been done by CCTV prematurely entering a bus lane, when turning left at a major junction and this was cancelled when I challenged it.

Also, more recently, I challenged a PCN for parking in a disabled bay, which was also cancelled.

These were both in London by the way.

You have nothing to lose by challenging the PCN, and you never know, you might get lucky, like I did.

giantdefy

684 posts

113 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
quotequote all
Mandat said:
You have nothing to lose by challenging the PCN, and you never know, you might get lucky, like I did.
Except the reduced charge disappears when you challenge

NGee

2,389 posts

164 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
quotequote all
peterhw100 said:
Just received notification and a fine of £60 from Southampton City Council .......
.....This was surely never the intended purpose of bus lanes
Yes it was biggrin


Mandat

3,884 posts

238 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
quotequote all
giantdefy said:
Mandat said:
You have nothing to lose by challenging the PCN, and you never know, you might get lucky, like I did.
Except the reduced charge disappears when you challenge
Are you sure of that?

When I challenged my last PCN, the notes said that if the challenge is not upheld, there is a further 14 day period in which the reduced charge can be paid.

Maybe there are different rules in different parts of the country.

Seesure

1,187 posts

239 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
quotequote all
I think the OP is going to have to suck it up and put it down to experience ...

Unfortunately it's a sign of today's society when it comes to motoring....

Cameras are used to squeeze every last drop of money out of the motorist...

Common sense and practicality have gone out of the window....

You make a mistake ? You pay !! It's all stick and no carrot.

Unless of course you don't have licence, don't have insurance, don't have VED, don't have a job, and then you can do as you please as it is your right do so....

And successive governments wonder why a lot of people are anti establishment.

Dogwatch

6,224 posts

222 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
quotequote all
PorkInsider said:
When people have had their appeals rejected after pulling into a bus lanes, on almost traffic-free roads, to let ambulances pass I'm not sure what would be deemed a good enough reason.
It can work if giving priority to an emergency vehicle. Brighton Council tried it on with some woman where the camera clearly showed a police car overtaking in the lane she should have been in and she had moved over to the bus lane. Council types refused to budge (massively anti-car anyway) but the Parking Adjudicator found in her favour.

Not sure that simply going on the inside of a car turning right would get the same result though there have been calls for common sense to be applied to minor transgressions - something beyond the ability of local councils.

herewego

8,814 posts

213 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
quotequote all
Seesure said:
I think the OP is going to have to suck it up and put it down to experience ...

Unfortunately it's a sign of today's society when it comes to motoring....

Cameras are used to squeeze every last drop of money out of the motorist...

Common sense and practicality have gone out of the window....

You make a mistake ? You pay !! It's all stick and no carrot.

Unless of course you don't have licence, don't have insurance, don't have VED, don't have a job, and then you can do as you please as it is your right do so....

And successive governments wonder why a lot of people are anti establishment.
What kind of carrot would you like?

Mandat

3,884 posts

238 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
quotequote all
Seesure said:
I think the OP is going to have to suck it up and put it down to experience ...

Unfortunately it's a sign of today's society when it comes to motoring....

Cameras are used to squeeze every last drop of money out of the motorist...

Common sense and practicality have gone out of the window....

You make a mistake ? You pay !! It's all stick and no carrot.

Unless of course you don't have licence, don't have insurance, don't have VED, don't have a job, and then you can do as you please as it is your right do so....

And successive governments wonder why a lot of people are anti establishment.
I've managed to get a few PCN's cancelled, even though I was seemingly "bang to rights" both times.

It doesn't hurt to submit a challenge, if only for the satisfaction of making the council have to work for their PCN money.

Kaelic

2,686 posts

201 months

Thursday 23rd February 2017
quotequote all
Flip side of this is the A580 heading in and out of Manchester.... if ever a road needed camera's it's that one!

Utter cretins driving down it using it as a "fast lane" while all the law abiding drivers sit in the traffic, which is made worse by said cretins pulling in and expecting to be left space they can use to cut in.

Whole thing needs to be sorted