Bus lanes badly signed and confusing, says RAC
More than a third of motorists have driven in bus lanes, with well over half saying the signs around bus lanes are confusing.
According to new research undertaken by the RAC, 36% of respondents admitted to driving in bus lanes in the past, with 42% of that number receiving fines.
However, only four per cent said they did so deliberately, with 56% arguing that the signage is inadequate. A third (33%) said signs are hard to see and difficult to understand, with 23% saying the signs are clearly visible but confusing.
The vast majority (85%) believe there is too much information to take it while trying to drive safely, while 29% say there are too few signs warning of bus lanes ahead and 26% claiming the signs are too small.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “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.”
It is now urging councils to issue warnings to first-time offenders instead of fines.
Williams added:
“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. We therefore feel there’s a good case for this guidance to be updated.”
