Police remind drivers of rule surrounding bus lanes

ACT Policing is reminding Canberra drivers of their responsibilities about the correct use of bus lanes.  

On Thursday morning (31 October, 2019), police conducted a high visibility operation targeting the use of the bus lane city bound on Barry Drive.

During a 30 minute period, police observed approximately 100 drivers enter the bus lane in advance of the broken white lines near the turnoff to Dryandra Street. Some drivers spoken to by police admitted to entering the bus lane well before the bridge over Frith Road.

All drivers spoken to were issued with cautions for driving in the bus lane, however Officer in Charge of Traffic Operations, Detective Acting Station Sergeant Marcus Boorman said next time they might not be so lucky.

“It is important for drivers to understand the rules and their responsibilities around bus lanes,” Detective Acting Station Sergeant Boorman said.

“The majority of drivers said they entered the bus lane early as they were turning left into Dryandra Street, but that is simply not a good enough reason for disobeying the road rules.

“From today, the fine for driving in bus lane has increased to $484, and police will be targeting this offence in the coming weeks and months.”

Road users are reminded that they are committing an offence if crossing a solid white line to move into the bus lane, and that they are only permitted to move into the bus lane where there are broken white lines.

Media enquiries

Police Media — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au