Waiting in a bus lane to safely reverse into my drive
Discussion
Just had a slight disagreement with a bus driver. I live on the A21 in Catford, Lewisham. There is a bus lane between our drive and the road. Also a dropped curb. I like to drive out of the driveway facing forwards as I believe that to be much safer.
When returning home, I will generally indicate, pull into the bus lane, slow down and stop just past the driveway entrance (with my left indicator on - showing intentions). I'll then check my right-side mirror until no traffic is coming, quickly check over my shoulder and left mirror for pedestrians, then reverse.
This has never been an issue or upset anyone. Just now though, a bus came round the corner towards where I'm parked, and clearly didn't observe very well as he left it very late to pull around me. As he did, he stopped alongside, opened his bus door and explained that the camera behind us would fine me. I explained I lived at the property I'm waiting to reverse into and he said "doesn't matter mate, they'll fine you anyway". My reply simply being "they can try, I don't know what else they'd expect me to do!". He then went on his way and I safely reversed into my drive.
So, where do I stand here, am I bulletproof? Is it reasonable to wait until it's safe (it should be!) or should I be pulling in and holding traffic up at my rear, with the extra risk someone will go into the back of me? Or should I be going in face first and not at all waiting in the bus lane for safety?
Lived here only 2 months so far and not had a fine or anything through the post. Anyone watching camera footage would easily be able to see what I am doing (multiple times a day).
When returning home, I will generally indicate, pull into the bus lane, slow down and stop just past the driveway entrance (with my left indicator on - showing intentions). I'll then check my right-side mirror until no traffic is coming, quickly check over my shoulder and left mirror for pedestrians, then reverse.
This has never been an issue or upset anyone. Just now though, a bus came round the corner towards where I'm parked, and clearly didn't observe very well as he left it very late to pull around me. As he did, he stopped alongside, opened his bus door and explained that the camera behind us would fine me. I explained I lived at the property I'm waiting to reverse into and he said "doesn't matter mate, they'll fine you anyway". My reply simply being "they can try, I don't know what else they'd expect me to do!". He then went on his way and I safely reversed into my drive.
So, where do I stand here, am I bulletproof? Is it reasonable to wait until it's safe (it should be!) or should I be pulling in and holding traffic up at my rear, with the extra risk someone will go into the back of me? Or should I be going in face first and not at all waiting in the bus lane for safety?
Lived here only 2 months so far and not had a fine or anything through the post. Anyone watching camera footage would easily be able to see what I am doing (multiple times a day).
I suspect you are pushing your luck.
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/enforcement-b...
"You can cross a bus lane:
to access a private entrance (provided it is a vehicular access and the vehicle does not wait in the bus lane) - you must make the turn as close as possible to the access point (it is considered reasonable that the turn should be made within one vehicle length)"
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/enforcement-b...
"You can cross a bus lane:
to access a private entrance (provided it is a vehicular access and the vehicle does not wait in the bus lane) - you must make the turn as close as possible to the access point (it is considered reasonable that the turn should be made within one vehicle length)"
I'm never going more than a full car length past my drive entrance. "as quickly as possible" of course is rarely "as safely as possible". I mean, I could shave some time off by not checking mirrors and blind-spots. I'd ideally not want to wipe a pedestrian out though!
If I'm going full left lock as soon as I begin to reverse, and I'm just making it, then that's as close as possible innit?!
If I'm going full left lock as soon as I begin to reverse, and I'm just making it, then that's as close as possible innit?!
Edited by markyb_lcy on Thursday 8th August 15:32
brman said:
I suspect you are pushing your luck.
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/enforcement-b...
"You can cross a bus lane:
to access a private entrance (provided it is a vehicular access and the vehicle does not wait in the bus lane) - you must make the turn as close as possible to the access point (it is considered reasonable that the turn should be made within one vehicle length)"
Last time I looked, Catford is not in Northern Ireland.https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/enforcement-b...
"You can cross a bus lane:
to access a private entrance (provided it is a vehicular access and the vehicle does not wait in the bus lane) - you must make the turn as close as possible to the access point (it is considered reasonable that the turn should be made within one vehicle length)"
..you'll be okay.I was having to do this exact thing at a job in greenford recently - driveway actually on a bus stop in fact. I pull up and immdiately start the maneuver, even if you have to stop/crawl while pedestrians / those waiting for bus figure out what you're doing or to avoid being clipped by cars passing in front, I figure if you're obviously already trying undertake the maneuver rather than seemingly just waiting there's less scope for the looters to try their luck.
Pica-Pica said:
brman said:
I suspect you are pushing your luck.
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/enforcement-b...
"You can cross a bus lane:
to access a private entrance (provided it is a vehicular access and the vehicle does not wait in the bus lane) - you must make the turn as close as possible to the access point (it is considered reasonable that the turn should be made within one vehicle length)"
Last time I looked, Catford is not in Northern Ireland.https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/enforcement-b...
"You can cross a bus lane:
to access a private entrance (provided it is a vehicular access and the vehicle does not wait in the bus lane) - you must make the turn as close as possible to the access point (it is considered reasonable that the turn should be made within one vehicle length)"
Actually, I didn't notice that link was for NI, best ignore me then
markyb_lcy said:
I'm never going more than a full car length past my drive entrance. "as quickly as possible" of course is rarely "as safely as possible". I mean, I could shave some time off by not checking mirrors and blind-spots. I'd ideally not want to wipe a pedestrian out though!
If I'm going full left lock as soon as I begin to reverse, and I'm just making it, then that's as close as possible innit?!
This bit make me think you were in the bus lane for a while....If I'm going full left lock as soon as I begin to reverse, and I'm just making it, then that's as close as possible innit?!
Edited by markyb_lcy on Thursday 8th August 15:32
will generally indicate, pull into the bus lane, slow down and stop just past the driveway entrance
brman said:
This bit make me think you were in the bus lane for a while....
will generally indicate, pull into the bus lane, slow down and stop just past the driveway entrance
Mental gymnastics?will generally indicate, pull into the bus lane, slow down and stop just past the driveway entrance
Maybe I should just fly in at 30mph?!
One needs to slow down a car to stop it. One needs to stop a car going forwards in order to reverse it. The indicating is done whilst moving at normal speed before slowing down.
Edited by markyb_lcy on Thursday 8th August 15:59
Think I’m just gonna carry on based on the fact that since moving in 2 months ago, said camera must have seen me doing it over a hundred times. I think I’ve a good case if they do try to fine me. My understanding is it would be a £100 fine so that’s probably worth chancing assuming I wouldn’t also get points with it.
Only passed test December last year so points would be a huge pita as can only get 6 in first two years before it becomes a ban.
Only passed test December last year so points would be a huge pita as can only get 6 in first two years before it becomes a ban.
Pica-Pica said:
OP. Here are your councillors.
http://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/mgMemberInd...
That was a helpful and nice thing to do, why aren't you going for the OPs jugular, you a regular as well? Just when I thought I had this place sussed out http://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/mgMemberInd...
Mr Pointy said:
I can see this is one of those situations where what you are doing is more sensible that going in forwards but common sense would lead to less profit for the local council & you'll eventually get fined.
If you did get fined for the maneuver you are doing (reversing in from the bus lane), then you could let the council know that in future you will follow their advice so you will avoid the bus lane and will reverse in from the non-bus lane, i.e. the normal driving lane.That shouldn't cause any additional traffic congestion.
Unless I'm misreading the above then isnt this a classic catch 22,
Can not reverse from the bus lane into drive (major to minor road)
but highway code states should not reverse from a minor to a major road, - ie your drive way to the main road.
So which do you do ?
Hopefully as stated if the bus lane its camera monitored then the camera operator has a little common sense.
Reads like to me the bus driver is making up / covering up for lack of observation
Can not reverse from the bus lane into drive (major to minor road)
but highway code states should not reverse from a minor to a major road, - ie your drive way to the main road.
So which do you do ?
Hopefully as stated if the bus lane its camera monitored then the camera operator has a little common sense.
Reads like to me the bus driver is making up / covering up for lack of observation
Yea I think the bus driver was pissed off, but he only has himself to blame. Situation has happened before in that bus comes round corner, sees me in bus lane with indicator waiting to reverse, then pulls out into normal driving lane to pass before pulling back into bus lane to stop at the bus stop 20-30m after my drive.
This guy wasn’t looking far enough in front so expected bus lane to be completely clear apart from possible bus stopping.
Resting on laurels and then decided to chastise me for his mistake / lack of forward planning
This guy wasn’t looking far enough in front so expected bus lane to be completely clear apart from possible bus stopping.
Resting on laurels and then decided to chastise me for his mistake / lack of forward planning
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