Why don't police cars use the bus lane in an emergency?
Discussion
I've noticed the following few times now.
Travelling in a steady stream of traffic on a road with a bus lane adjacent to it, which is normally clear. I hear the sirens of what turns out to be a panda car and expect them to whiz past in the bus lane. But no, I notice in the rear view mirror that each car is pulling over to the left into the bus lane to let them through. The police car then speeds up to the rear of my car and stays there (momentarily) untill I indicate and pull over too.
Surely it would just be easy for everyone if they just go down the bus lane? Or is it because they don't want to undertake or expect someone to pull into the bus lane infront of them in an effort to get out of the way?
The reason above sounds valid but then, to top it off, they pulled out into the lane for the oncoming traffic to pass some more cars instead of using the bus lane! Where is the logic?
I've noticed this a few times with non-traffic police cars.
Travelling in a steady stream of traffic on a road with a bus lane adjacent to it, which is normally clear. I hear the sirens of what turns out to be a panda car and expect them to whiz past in the bus lane. But no, I notice in the rear view mirror that each car is pulling over to the left into the bus lane to let them through. The police car then speeds up to the rear of my car and stays there (momentarily) untill I indicate and pull over too.
Surely it would just be easy for everyone if they just go down the bus lane? Or is it because they don't want to undertake or expect someone to pull into the bus lane infront of them in an effort to get out of the way?
The reason above sounds valid but then, to top it off, they pulled out into the lane for the oncoming traffic to pass some more cars instead of using the bus lane! Where is the logic?
I've noticed this a few times with non-traffic police cars.
Turning off the sirens and using the bus lane as you say makes the most sense imo. I guess they can't assume that everyone won't just automatically move left when they hear the sirens. I've also been in oncoming traffic where, instead of using the bus lane (if people haven't moved out of their way)they have pulled out and come towards me.
On the flip side, its amazing the amount of people that just slam on the brakes and stop when they hear the sirens! I've often been behind someone thats just stopped or done something else random when it would have been better fot the approaching police car if they had just carried on normally.
On the flip side, its amazing the amount of people that just slam on the brakes and stop when they hear the sirens! I've often been behind someone thats just stopped or done something else random when it would have been better fot the approaching police car if they had just carried on normally.
They're probably conscious that people are going to move left. Most people do.
It amazes me just how inattentive some drivers can be. Even with my music on relatively loudly I can still hear sirens from a long way away, and I immediately start to scan around and try and work out whether it's going to affect me or not.
I see panda cars go shooting up the backsides of cars over a distance of a mile and a half and they still don't see the flashing lights in their rear view.
It amazes me just how inattentive some drivers can be. Even with my music on relatively loudly I can still hear sirens from a long way away, and I immediately start to scan around and try and work out whether it's going to affect me or not.
I see panda cars go shooting up the backsides of cars over a distance of a mile and a half and they still don't see the flashing lights in their rear view.
jamoor said:
I would never pull into a bus lane for an emergency vehicle, you can jsut see the fine landing on your doorstep and the associated hassle.
You're the type of person who would rather have a victim die than yourself 'risk points' to go through a red light to allow an ambulance to get past.You can argue that the pro driver in the emergency vehicle should work out some other way around, and often they will, but sometimes it's not possible. Maybe you should look at the big picture and stop being so selfish.
Edited by mrmr96 on Wednesday 19th May 15:53
Re last Post:
No, that's not right, if you pull into a bus lane or move off under a red light because an emergency vehicle trying to get through then mitigating circumstances should apply and you shouldn't get nicked or fined!
To me, that's just plain obvious and I am heartily sick of people getting done for trying to be helpful. That is plainly NOT RIGHT!
No, that's not right, if you pull into a bus lane or move off under a red light because an emergency vehicle trying to get through then mitigating circumstances should apply and you shouldn't get nicked or fined!
To me, that's just plain obvious and I am heartily sick of people getting done for trying to be helpful. That is plainly NOT RIGHT!
I find it truly amazing just how crap other drivers become when they see a police car, sirens or not. They just seem to panic and make really odd driving decisions. I don't blame the police at all if they're more cautious in traffic, I certainly take extra care of other drivers if I'm anywhere near a marked car.
mrmr96 said:
HellDiver said:
mrmr96 said:
Maybe you should look at the big picture and stop being so selfish.
Some people need a clean license for work. No clean license = no job = starving kids. Think of the children!!!theaxe said:
The Article said:
the case is going to the adjudicator
I never said it would be easy, what I said was risking a life to save yourself hassle is selfish.mrmr96 - Surely though, the onus in this case is on the law maker/enforcer?
It's quite possible in central London on a weekly commute to have to move over more than once, sometimes into a bus lane.
Shouldn't we look at it the other way? I'm hoping that one day the person who decides that a motorist should be penalised in this way could be in the position of receiving a delayed response due to severely hacked off motorists receiving fines that 'dis encourage' their helpful concern for others?
It's quite possible in central London on a weekly commute to have to move over more than once, sometimes into a bus lane.
Shouldn't we look at it the other way? I'm hoping that one day the person who decides that a motorist should be penalised in this way could be in the position of receiving a delayed response due to severely hacked off motorists receiving fines that 'dis encourage' their helpful concern for others?
mrmr96 said:
jamoor said:
I would never pull into a bus lane for an emergency vehicle, you can jsut see the fine landing on your doorstep and the associated hassle.
You're the type of person who would rather have a victim die than yourself 'risk points' to go through a red light to allow an ambulance to get past.You can argue that the pro driver in the emergency vehicle should work out some other way around, and often they will, but sometimes it's not possible. Maybe you should look at the big picture and stop being so selfish.
Edited by mrmr96 on Wednesday 19th May 15:53
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