Driving in a bus lane: is the white line part of the lane?
Discussion
Advice needed (preferably with some legal backing...)
I've just got a PCN for driving in a bus lane, and the photo evidence shows my front left wheel on the white line, but not crossing into the bus lane. So, is the thick white line part of the bus lane or not?
I cant find clarity in the highway code. I saw somewhere that this line is the demarcation of the bus lane, but surely it demarks the lane i'm supposed to be in too?
Surely this must have been contested before??
I've just got a PCN for driving in a bus lane, and the photo evidence shows my front left wheel on the white line, but not crossing into the bus lane. So, is the thick white line part of the bus lane or not?
I cant find clarity in the highway code. I saw somewhere that this line is the demarcation of the bus lane, but surely it demarks the lane i'm supposed to be in too?
Surely this must have been contested before??
For your wheel to be on the white line, enough of the car would be into the bus lane as to have hindered the progression of a bus or taxi in the lane.
For what's worth, from an engineering measurement perspective the bus lane starts at the edge of the white line adjacent the live traffic lane, what that means legally I'm not sure.
For what's worth, from an engineering measurement perspective the bus lane starts at the edge of the white line adjacent the live traffic lane, what that means legally I'm not sure.
Are you able to post the photo? It would certainly help clarify things. If your wheel just went onto the white line a little but you did not drive into the lane, I would imagine you could appeal your case. I assume the picture was either from a traffic cam or a bus cam, if from a bus cam, it could show that your position caused an obstruction, or not...
This is from Pepipoo which indicates you need to actually cross the white line and stay crossed for 20 metres.
The 20 metre rule - The guidelines for enforcement of bus lanes in London (and elsewhere) state that the operator should observe a vehicle travelling along a bus lane for at least 20 metres before he issues a Penalty Charge Notice. We hear of many instances where vehicles receive a penalty charge notice when they have clearly not travelled along a bus lane for 20 meters. For example simply cutting off the end of a bus lane or not able to avoid the first couple of metres or swinging in and out when a car in front suddenly stops. Councils are aware of this guideline but quite often ignore it. If you have received a PCN in these circumstances you should immediately write to the local council and point out that they did not operate within the guidelines. You could even complain to the local government ombudsman. There is also something called the crossover exemption and the adjudicators have also mentioned the 20 metre rule in relation to this exemption. (see cases below) 20 Metres is approximately 5 car lengths. There are exceptions for example if the bus lane itself is less than 20 meters long.
A bus lane contravention is a contravention of any provision of a traffic order relating to use of an area of road that is or forms part of a bus lane. A contravention normally begins where a vehicle breaks and crosses the solid white boundary line between the bus lane and the remainder of the carriageway without good reason during its time of operation (but see below for bus and tram gates).If the vehicle enters a bus lane it should proceed for more than 20 metres (approx 4/5 continuous car lengths) after so entering. A bus gate or tram gate is a point restriction, therefore the contravention commences when the vehicle enters the gate.
The 20 metre rule - The guidelines for enforcement of bus lanes in London (and elsewhere) state that the operator should observe a vehicle travelling along a bus lane for at least 20 metres before he issues a Penalty Charge Notice. We hear of many instances where vehicles receive a penalty charge notice when they have clearly not travelled along a bus lane for 20 meters. For example simply cutting off the end of a bus lane or not able to avoid the first couple of metres or swinging in and out when a car in front suddenly stops. Councils are aware of this guideline but quite often ignore it. If you have received a PCN in these circumstances you should immediately write to the local council and point out that they did not operate within the guidelines. You could even complain to the local government ombudsman. There is also something called the crossover exemption and the adjudicators have also mentioned the 20 metre rule in relation to this exemption. (see cases below) 20 Metres is approximately 5 car lengths. There are exceptions for example if the bus lane itself is less than 20 meters long.
A bus lane contravention is a contravention of any provision of a traffic order relating to use of an area of road that is or forms part of a bus lane. A contravention normally begins where a vehicle breaks and crosses the solid white boundary line between the bus lane and the remainder of the carriageway without good reason during its time of operation (but see below for bus and tram gates).If the vehicle enters a bus lane it should proceed for more than 20 metres (approx 4/5 continuous car lengths) after so entering. A bus gate or tram gate is a point restriction, therefore the contravention commences when the vehicle enters the gate.
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