Overtaking in bus lanes

[Retorted]

Slight rant here really, but wanted to know whether I'm in the right here.

I was driving down a CLEAR road with the traffic lights at the end showing green. The road in question happens to split up into a bus lane further towards the end - but both lanes share the same exit at the lights. I'm pretty much doing the 30mph speed limit, maybe just slightly over when a national express coach behind me decides to start using the bus lane in order to overtake and pass through the lights before me. The driver was clearly exceeding the speed limit to do this.

I didn't try to race the driver. I stuck to the limit and happened to pass through the lights before them, to which he/she promptly beeps the horn and flashes their lights all the way up the following road. I'm not certain, but I think the end of the bus lane had give way lines. The coach then deliberately overtakes me on the dual carriageway only to cut me up immediately afterwards.

I see this as terribly inconsiderate driving and another reason to dislike the continued growth of bus lanes in the city.

Anybody with similar experiences?

 

[DannyDan]

In my experience they're often driven by idiots who use the size of the bus to bully other traffic out of their way </generalisation>

 

[starfighter]

I am not sure on the legalities of coaches using bus lanes but you shouldn't pull infront of someone if you are going slower.

It really annoys me when people perform a dangerous maneuver just to get in front and then drive slow.

Just that is bad enough to say he is in the wrong.


Busses near me have started just indicating and pulling out regardless recently. I don't mind if it is heavy traffic but when there is a massive gap behind you it is out of order.

 

[SeatIbiza]

Busses near me have started just indicating and pulling out regardless recently. I don't mind if it is heavy traffic but when there is a massive gap behind you it is out of order.

For some insane reason they now have the highway code on their side.

I ride my bike to and from work as I'm in Central London and the tube sucks and the amount of tiems i get to the head of a long queue to find usually 2 or 3 busses blocking the way is amazing.

I don't know of a sensible solution but the use of buses, in london especially, needs to be seriously considered. Most of the roads are too small for them really.

 

[Clarkey]

And this is why I'll never travel by coach. Should have reported the driver, completely unacceptable behaviour from someone who is supposed to be in a position of responsibility.

 

[PMKeates]

The coach driver sounds a bit odd. He's driving a 10,000 Kg+ vehicle, with worse performance than a 1978 Fiesta 950, that also happens to be rammed with people.

 

[OllyM]

I thought coaches were allowed to use bus lanes, although not in that manner.

The couch driver

 

[Pete19s]

Ah good old National Express coaches, I have lost count of the number of times I have been quite easily caught and passed by National Express drivers while at work. Our vans are all limited to 60mph and NE drivers seem to make light work of breezing past on both the dual carriageways into Norwich.

 

[Freefaller]

On a similar topic, I often use bus lanes to skip lines of traffic that are not aware that you can use bus lanes when out of operation, and the amount of vigilante "we shall not let you pass" I get from people is unbelievable!

 

[PMKeates]

Haha! So when did you get to drive that?

 

[GravyMonster]

On a similar topic, I often use bus lanes to skip lines of traffic that are not aware that you can use bus lanes when out of operation, and the amount of vigilante "we shall not let you pass" I get from people is unbelievable!

Yup. I do the exact same. No one seems to realise the bus lanes are only in operation from 0730-0930 and 1600-1800.

The amount of dirty looks and honks I've had. Some people are obviously too dumb to read signposts.

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

On a similar topic, I often use bus lanes to skip lines of traffic that are not aware that you can use bus lanes when out of operation, and the amount of vigilante "we shall not let you pass" I get from people is unbelievable!

Agreed.
Furthermore, when you are in the bus lane out of hours, why is it that everyone else on the road seems to feel obliged to try to overtake you even whilst you're moving at the speed limit?
Just another rant, particularly aimed at London drivers.

 

[DB_SamX]

On a similar topic, I often use bus lanes to skip lines of traffic that are not aware that you can use bus lanes when out of operation, and the amount of vigilante "we shall not let you pass" I get from people is unbelievable!

+1

95% of drivers in my town don't use the bus lane out of hours. If I use the bus lane, I still have to be very careful though as they may not expect me to be on their left due to their ignorance, expecially if they are going slower and I have clear run in front of me (usually).

 

[osc89er]

In the half hour on either side of bus lane restrictions you will often find that you can make a lot of progress in the light not-quite-rushhour traffic as most people will not use bus lanes during those times.

You also have to make sure not to pass anyone at the beginning of the bus lane as they will frequently barge into the outside lane to avoid inactive bus lanes.