Motorists pay £68m in fines for driving in bus lanes, RAC says

MORE than one million fines are handed out to drivers caught in city bus lanes every year, new figures show, totalling at least £68 million.

The annual number of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNS) issued for bus lane misuse rose 5per cent from 2015 to 2017, reaching 1.13million, according to the RAC.

Some 994,000 fines were issued in London between 2015 and 2017, responses to a Freedom of Information request revealed.

Outside the capital, Manchester City Council issued the most PCNS with 353,000. This was narrowly ahead of Glasgow (339,000), which was followed by Cardiff (268,000), Bradford (209,000) and Nottingham (195,000). The lowest penalty is believed to be £60, but a fine can rise to £160 in London.

Simon Williams, an RAC spokesman, called for improved signage and the introduction of “smart bus lanes”, which can be used by all vehicles when traffic is light.

He said: “Bus lanes have a vital role to play in ensuring the reliability of public transport as they help to keep our urban areas moving. But the sheer quantity of fines suggests something is awry and we don’t believe the vast majority are knowingly breaking the rules.

“While there is no defence for deliberately driving in a bus lane, we believe more can be done to make it obvious to drivers when they can and can’t drive in one.”

A Local Government Association spokesman said: “Councils make no apologies for enforcing the law to ensure the smooth running of bus services.

“If any motorist believes they have been fined unfairly, then they have the right to appeal.

“The fact that more than 99per cent of bus lanes fines are not appealed clearly shows that the overwhelming majority accept that they have broken the rules.”