bus lane question

[TheGrump]

On a road with two lanes, there is a bus lane with signs saying "bus lane 4pm to 7 pm". Am I correct in assuming that cars can use that lane outside the posted times?

[Buenchico]

You're correct.

Ipswich used to have a bus lane which only operated during specified hours but most drivers didn't bother to read the signs properly, so it was left empty throughout the whole day. Over a period of several years drivers gradually came to realise that they should be using the 'bus lane' when it wasn't actually in operation. As soon it was finally used properly, the local council converted it to 24-hour operation! ;-)

Chris

[north star]

and lorries and vans and motorbikes and tractors...

if not 24/7 then a 'bus lane' is only a 'bus lane' during the stated hours.

[magicmerlin]

Now let me think for a few minutes. If its a bus lane between 4 & 7pm who is allowed to use it from 7pm to 4pm, could it be nobody, if so then make it a 24 hour bus lane. Otherwise why not let everybody use.

Another way to look at it is that everybody can use it except between the hours of 4 & 7pm when its only buses.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus_lane

[Panic Button]

If you fail to use a bus lane when you are allowed to use it on a driving test, you get a fault against you.

[denis567]

More than just a fault against you, Panic Button. You would fail. Full stop.

[magicmerlin]

mdoo. I only get sarcastic when somebody asks a question and answers it in the same sentence. One should engage brain before posting questions willy nilly.

Where I live there is lots of bus lanes and I always follow the rules and times stated. I am amazed at the number of drivers who do not use the bus lanes when it is legal to do so. I have also nearly been involved in accidents when drivers joining the road with a bus lane only appear to look for buses in the bus lane coming their way at any time of day, needless to say I usually express my thoughts in a visual manner.

[TheGrump]

Thankyou for all the replies, it is as I thought. For the benefit of Mdoo, it has been a long long time since I passed a driving test, and FYI I did a search through Highway Code on line, and could find no answer to the question, hence I posted here on Answerbank.

[magicmerlin]

You obviously did not look hard enough.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport /Highwaycode/DG_070332

See section 174.

[TheGrump]

No I didn't know what it meant. I will be man enough to admit that I am not a perfect model citizen, who always obeys every law of the land, never commits a crime, never does 32 in a 30, or jumps the occasional orange light. Nor do I practice self anal insertion.