Driving in a Bus Lane

jellykingdom on 10/07/2015 - 13:17

Hello all,

I may have been snagged for driving in a bus lane during my recent work trip. In hindsight, it explained where there was noone else driving in that lane. By the time I saw the sign, I also saw the policeman (who I thought was just checking my speed, which was only 60)

If i'm lucky, the motorbike in front of me would have been caught, and not me….but on the off chance, does anyone have any experience with this, and does anyone have any good excuses to get out of it?

PS> I'm not interested in hearing people saying "oh well you broke the rules and you're a terrible human being because of it" because I am obviously aware of that. So keep those kind of useless opinions to yourself. Its not like I was speeding through a school zone, so i was hardly doing anything stupid or dangerous

Automotive

Comments

  • nocure on 10/07/2015 - 13:21

    Was the popo holding a radar gun or a camera?

    • jellykingdom on 10/07/2015 - 14:31

      Looked like a radar gun, but i have no idea if they double as a camera. He had obviously snapped something then looked down to check it

      No idea if it was a coincidence

      • nocure on 10/07/2015 - 14:39
        +5

        He would have stopped you there and then..the radar guns dont take photos.

  • toniyellow on 10/07/2015 - 13:29

    Which state? Some will accept a written letter of apology with appeal to waive the fine if you have X years of a good driving record (in NSW it is 10 years)

  • indium on 10/07/2015 - 13:31
    +2

    idk, say you moved into the lane because you were intending to turn left but you had a made a mistake and the turn was a block up but you stayed in the lane because you were confused and thought you were about to turn off. Or something along those lines, gps screwed up etc.

  • PurpleHippo on 10/07/2015 - 13:32
    +1

    Was there an intersection coming up? If so, you could argue that you were in the bus lane to turn into that side road. Either way, I think it'll be difficult to get you for driving in a bus lane based on one photo, as it wouldn't show you were in the lane for an extended amount of time.
    You could have been in the lane to avoid an obstruction in the middle lane, or thought your turning was coming up, but was wrong. A single photo wouldn't prove anything. Most likely the cop was holding a speed gun. If he wanted to get you for driving in a bus lane, he could have pulled you over there and then.

  • mr_alligator on 10/07/2015 - 13:33
    +12

    If i'm lucky, the motorbike in front of me would have been caught, and not me…

    Motorbikes and taxis are legally allowed to drive in the bus lanes, atleast in NSW they are

  • Maki on 10/07/2015 - 13:36
    +2

    Better tell us which state r u in before the discussion continues

  • akd on 10/07/2015 - 14:06

    In ACT, there is T3 lane signs on Bus lane(some of lanes; not all) means cars with 3 people can use the bus lane. Also taxi and motorcycle can use bus lane as normal.

    • RyanMK on 11/07/2015 - 11:45

      Interesting. What's the logic behind cars with 3 people being able to use the bus lane?

  • p1 ama on 10/07/2015 - 14:08
    +3

    I'm not interested in hearing people saying "oh well you broke the rules and you're a terrible human being because of it" because I am obviously aware of that. So keep those kind of useless opinions to yourself. Its not like I was speeding through a school zone, so i was hardly doing anything stupid or dangerous

    I don't think you're a terrible human being or anything, but seriously though, take it as a slap on the wrist, pay the fine and move on. I wouldn't lie just to get out of a small fine, could lead to much bigger issues, e.g. if you were found to have lied on a statutory declaration, for example.

  • altomic on 10/07/2015 - 14:16
    +15

    "oh well you broke the rules and you're a terrible human being because of it"

    stalin
    hitler
    genghis kahn
    pol pot
    Kim Jong-il
    jellykingdom

  • jellykingdom on 10/07/2015 - 14:32
    +1

    State was South Australia

  • Iamnotcheap on 10/07/2015 - 15:04
    +2

    Where in SA? in adelaide CBD? - if so, the speed is 50km (which makes it speeding) - but first I have heard them taking photos of bus lanes in SA. Generally they manned by patrols that pull you over (so big assumption is that it is probably a speeding ticket/mobile camera).

  • Davo1111 on 10/07/2015 - 16:23
    +4

    I hope you like prison OP.

    Look just chill, if a fine comes then it does. I doubt you'll get one.

    It's been discussed many times on WP that if a cop is going to dish out a fine, 99% of the time he will stop you then and there.

  • adante on 11/07/2015 - 01:42

    PS> I'm not interested in hearing people saying "oh well you broke the rules and you're a terrible human being because of it" because I am obviously aware of that. So keep those kind of useless opinions to yourself. Its not like I was speeding through a school zone, so i was hardly doing anything stupid or dangerous

    In that case: you are a good guy OP and I wish there were more people illegally driving in bus lanes like you!

  • Ughhh on 11/07/2015 - 03:12
    +1

    O.o from memory, the bus lanes I've passed before were all very clearly marked on the lane

    Which road was this

  • jimbo687 on 11/07/2015 - 07:45
    +1

    oh well you broke the rules and you're a terrible human being because of it

  • driver33b on 11/07/2015 - 08:26

    In NSW there are 2 types of Bus lanes…"Bus only lanes" and "Bus lanes" you can drive down a "Bus lane" to turn left for 100m or so, but NOT drive in a "Bus only" lane. Hope he was only doing speed checks and you were under..good luck.

  • terrys on 11/07/2015 - 22:40

    How about a comment such as "Attempting to mandate what replies are acceptable in a public forum, regarding your inability to accept road rules could indicate a trend." :-p
    On the plus side, Motor reg do pay attention to trends, and it sounds like you haven't got frequent flyer points for this. It doesn't sound like you were pinged, but the " make a quick phone call" idea will probably work - there is a minimum distance before it's an offence, and moving out as soon as the sign was visible will more than likely suggest you're well within it.

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