Bus lane - crossing solid white line

[pcwilson]

Hi Guys

There are several roads near me with bus lanes which are only in operation during the rush hour i.e Mon - Sat 7 - 9.30am and 4.30 - 6pm. These bus lanes are bordered by a solid white line. Is the solid white line in operation 24x7 or only when the bus lane is in operation?

Cheers
Phil

[shuvitupya]

Only when bus lane is in operation.

Otherwise how would you access that lane without breaking the law?

[pcwilson]

shuvitupya said:

Only when bus lane is in operation.

Otherwise how would you access that lane without breaking the law?

That's exactly what I thought, but my wife's driving instructor is adamant that it's a solid white line and can not be crossed at any time. I've tried the highway code but can't seem to find any reference to this.

[polus]

As far as Im aware its fine to go into the lane if you follow the rules stated (usually on a nearby sign). Theres a couple of bus lanes near me like this.

[vonhosen]

As said you can cross it outside hours of operation.
A solid white line doesn't always mean you must never cross it, it depends on what/where the line is.

[pcwilson]

Hi Guys

That clears it up then, thanks.

Phil

[7db]

In fact the solid white line doesn't have a fixed meaning, it will depend on the traffic order which brings that bus lane into existence. However, when it's not in its hours of operation, it's just white paint and funny coloured tarmac.

[shuvitupya]

pcwilson said:

but my wife's driving instructor is adamant that it's a solid white line and can not be crossed at any time.

Maybe your wife needs a new driving instructor ?

[Parrot of Doom]

pcwilson said:

shuvitupya said:

Only when bus lane is in operation.

Otherwise how would you access that lane without breaking the law?

That's exactly what I thought, but my wife's driving instructor is adamant that it's a solid white line and can not be crossed at any time. I've tried the highway code but can't seem to find any reference to this.

Get a new instructor tbh.

[jezzaaa]

Bus lanes?? Are they those green coloured things that never have any buses in them?? Quite useful for avoiding the traffic, I find!!

[Andrew D]

jezzaaa said:

Bus lanes?? Are they those green coloured things that never have any buses in them?? Quite useful for avoiding the traffic, I find!!

That's a risk business round my way, because the militant bus drivers generally use their shiney new bus lanes to do 45mph past standing traffic (in packs, naturally).

I've seen quite a few people get bored of the gridlock, drop into the bus lane, and fill their pants when they see the bus bearing down on them!

[BliarOut]

vonhosen said:

As said you can cross it outside hours of operation.
A solid white line doesn't always mean you must never cross it, it depends on what/where the line is.

Really? I thought you had to enter/exit the lane as a bus would. I was under the impression (maybe incorrectly) that a solid white was a MUST not cross, as opposed to a SHOULD not cross.

[vonhosen]

BliarOut said:

vonhosen said:

As said you can cross it outside hours of operation.
A solid white line doesn't always mean you must never cross it, it depends on what/where the line is.

Really? I thought you had to enter/exit the lane as a bus would. I was under the impression (maybe incorrectly) that a solid white was a MUST not cross, as opposed to a SHOULD not cross.

What do diagonal stripes bordered by a solid white line mean then ?
What about a solid white line towards the edge of the carriageway ?

Edited by vonhosen on Thursday 10th August 15:09

[turbobloke]

vonhosen said:

BliarOut said:

vonhosen said:

As said you can cross it outside hours of operation.
A solid white line doesn't always mean you must never cross it, it depends on what/where the line is.

Really? I thought you had to enter/exit the lane as a bus would. I was under the impression (maybe incorrectly) that a solid white was a MUST not cross, as opposed to a SHOULD not cross.

What do diagonal stripes bordered by a solid white line mean then ?

Toffee nougat crunchy treat?

[BliarOut]

vonhosen said:

BliarOut said:

vonhosen said:

As said you can cross it outside hours of operation.
A solid white line doesn't always mean you must never cross it, it depends on what/where the line is.

Really? I thought you had to enter/exit the lane as a bus would. I was under the impression (maybe incorrectly) that a solid white was a MUST not cross, as opposed to a SHOULD not cross.

What do diagonal stripes bordered by a solid white line mean then ?
What about a solid white line towards the edge of the carriageway ?

Edited by vonhosen on Thursday 10th August 15:09

Diagonals bordered by solid, MUST not cross. Diagonals bordered by broken, should not cross. Solid white towards the edge of the carriageway should be a MUST as they become broken when they pass a junction?

I have to revise my highway code for a driving course soon

[vonhosen]

BliarOut said:

vonhosen said:

BliarOut said:

vonhosen said:

As said you can cross it outside hours of operation.
A solid white line doesn't always mean you must never cross it, it depends on what/where the line is.

Really? I thought you had to enter/exit the lane as a bus would. I was under the impression (maybe incorrectly) that a solid white was a MUST not cross, as opposed to a SHOULD not cross.

What do diagonal stripes bordered by a solid white line mean then ?
What about a solid white line towards the edge of the carriageway ?

Edited by vonhosen on Thursday 10th August 15:09

Diagonals bordered by solid, MUST not cross. Diagonals bordered by broken, should not cross. Solid white towards the edge of the carriageway should be a MUST as they become broken when they pass a junction?

I have to revise my highway code for a driving course soon

Get reading start with rule 109.

[BliarOut]

Wot, the whole book?

Edited to add:

I wasn't aware of the subtle difference between a diagonal and a chevron.

Edited by BliarOut on Thursday 10th August 15:19

[vonhosen]

BliarOut said:

Wot, the whole book?

Edited to add:

I wasn't aware of the subtle difference between a diagonal and a chevron.

Edited by BliarOut on Thursday 10th August 15:19

But an important one from a legal point.

[BliarOut]

vonhosen said:

BliarOut said:

Wot, the whole book?

Edited to add:

I wasn't aware of the subtle difference between a diagonal and a chevron.

Edited by BliarOut on Thursday 10th August 15:19

But an important one from a legal point.

Well that's at least one question I'll get right

Is the solid white line at the left hand edge of the carriage way a MUST not cross or is it a marker?

[jezzaaa]

Andrew D said:

jezzaaa said:

Bus lanes?? Are they those green coloured things that never have any buses in them?? Quite useful for avoiding the traffic, I find!!

That's a risk business round my way, because the militant bus drivers generally use their shiney new bus lanes to do 45mph past standing traffic (in packs, naturally).

I've seen quite a few people get bored of the gridlock, drop into the bus lane, and fill their pants when they see the bus bearing down on them!

Why would they fill their pants?? What are they going to do....ram us? If they did that purposely it would still be them at fault and possibly with criminal consequences too. They flash their lights a bit, but ball cocks to them I say. Why should motorists have to wait - I pay for my share of the road and apart from the rush hours, there aren't any passengers on them anyway. And one or two buses every 10 minutes does not justify holding everyone up. All they do is trundle around town, emitting smoke and getting in everyones way.

By the way, does anyone know if that Tory council succeeded in removing it's bus lanes in London?

Cheers,
J.