Bus lane fine?

Question

Have only been working in this London Borough for 3 weeks in a new job. I have just been sent a photo of my car in a bus lane. I cut into it in the last 5-10metres. £60 fine if I pay within 14 days. But am really really worried - the photo is from 2nd April - I have probably done the same cut for another 10 journeys, on the way into work - the letter said that it was processed on the 9th April, but only received it today.

Are the CCTV cameras automatic - so anyone who goes into the lane always gets fined??? Do I have any chance of doing anything about it, if I receive another 10 letters??

HELP!! Am very worried! (no lectures about the importance of bus lanes please)

Answer 1

Yes, London has the world's biggest deployment of ANPR (numberplate recogniction) and if caught by a camera and the computer can read your plate, you will be automatically sent a letter.

If the computer got it wrong then you can appeal, obviously, but nope, there's nothing to say that you wont find another 10 letters - just hope for the best!

Maybe phone them up (anonymously) and ask directly?

Answer 2

You break the law - you pay the penalty - and you are in BIG TROUBLE.

Transport for London is currently running a campaign to stop bus-lane abuses and it is taking a very hard line with offenders. CCTV is now fitted to buses so that pictures of cars can be taken anywhere in a bus lane. Transport for London are using the powers of the law to the limit to stop cars using bus lanes.

So, in reality, a fine is the least of your worries. A persistent offender, such as yourself, could find yourself in court, where you face a disqualification. I recall one persistant offender being jailed a few weeks back. Moreover, the courts have the power to confiscate your car and crush it.

I would suggest you invest in an Oyster card - it does not look as if you will be doing much car driving for a while. But at least you will be able to travel in a bus lane legally.

Answer 3

Apparently some bus lane violations are filmed by buses with mounted cameras. If so, you may not get more than one, unless there was a bus with a camera behind you on each occasion.

Answer 4

TEN offences? In three weeks?

Personally I would sell your car NOW and get some money for it, because, with ten offences to your name, TfL will easily get a confiscation and crushing order for your car from the courts.

And, with so many offences in so short a period of time, you can say goodbye to your licence for the next twelve months. With the "right" magistrate, you could also be saying goodbye to your freedom as well.

WHY should you NOT get a lecture about the importance of bus lanes? Remember YOU were the one that deliberately and repeatedly broke the law. You NEED to be lectured at length about your criminal acts - maybe then you will have more respect for the law. Personally I think that it will only be a custodial sentence that will cure your arrogance.

Answer 5

it is possible that you have been caught more than once, but unlikely that you will be caught  every time, you can appeal, especially if you only cut in the last 10 metres which I assume you did to turn left etc and the traffic your lane was busy.

the cctv cameras are automatic, but depends on the time of day and also how vigilant the borough is, for example lambeth are brutal.

however you should appeal as a very very high % of appeals win (something like 70%)

Answer 6

they have a motion sensor.. so thats how they work probably

or maybe plate recognition.

e.g. buses / taxi's reg plates are on a list of exempt vehicles, anything else  isn't.

can't say 100% u'll have to wait and see.

Answer 7

I'm a bus driver you been a naughty girl when will people learn that a bus lane is for a bus you have to sit in traffic like everyone else

Didn't realise you were so worried sorry about my answer you will have to wait and see i don't think you will have to pay that much,but try and leave a bit earlier for work