If you’ve ever accidentally driven in a bus lane, you’re not alone. Over a third (36%) of drivers admit they’ve mistakenly strayed into one, according to new research from the RAC. And for those who have, nearly half (42%) got caught on camera and fined.
It’s no wonder that 85% of drivers think councils should issue a warning letter the first time someone makes this mistake, rather than hitting them with an instant fine.
The RAC argues that most drivers aren’t deliberately flouting the rules—just 4% admit to doing so on purpose. Instead, confusing or poorly placed signage seems to be the main issue. In areas where bus lanes only operate at certain times, 56% of drivers believe the signs aren’t clear enough. A third (33%) say the signs are hard to spot while driving, and 23% say they’re visible but difficult to understand.
So, what’s the problem?
- 85% of drivers say there’s too much info to read while also focusing on the road.
- 29% think there aren’t enough warning signs before the bus lane begins.
- 26% say the signs are simply too small.
This confusion has led many drivers to avoid bus lanes altogether. A quarter (28%) never use them—just to be safe—while 32% say they won’t risk it if they miss or can’t read the signs.
Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, believes the system needs to change:
“We have always maintained that the majority of drivers don’t deliberately set out to drive in bus lanes, so it’s good to see this research confirming that. Our suspicions around the visibility and clarity of bus lane signage have also been borne out, with drivers expressing considerable concerns about signs often being hard to spot and difficult to understand.
“Bus lanes are more common in urban environments where the driver’s job in spotting and comprehending bus lane signage is arguably even harder. There is so much else to take in, from vehicles and other road users to traffic lights and warning signs.
“For these reasons, we continue to call on councils to write to drivers who stray into bus lanes the first time, rather than simply issuing them with fines. While it’s fair that anyone who deliberately drives in bus lanes should expect to be fined, our research shows that far too many drivers end up doing so unwittingly, most probably because the signage really isn’t good enough. This can be despite bus lane signage almost certainly meeting government guidelines.
“We therefore feel there’s a good case for this guidance to be updated. Our findings suggest the quality and frequency of signage is a big part of why so many drivers fall foul of bus lanes.
“And it appears there is a very unfortunate knock-on effect for bus lanes that only operate at certain times of day, with drivers not using them even when they’re allowed to. This seems to be for a combination of reasons ranging from an inherent fear of being fined to just not being sure of what the signs say. We have a great deal of sympathy for drivers because there is a lot of information to process when you’re at the wheel of a car doing your best to drive safely. It is also worth noting that failing to use the available road space to its full capacity can have a detrimental impact on traffic flow.”
Would you risk driving in a bus lane, or do you play it safe? ? Let us know in the comments!
