Bus Lane Usage (N32 example)

g0g

Sorry if this has been done already, but I was wondering about something the other day and wanted to see if there's a right and wrong. The example I'll use is the N32 as that's where this happened. Think that's the road anyway - you know the one from M50/M1 across to Clare Hall. That stretch of road has a bus lane that certainly in one direction I don't think is 24 hours anymore.

Regardless of whether the above is accurate, my question is this:
On a straight road without junctions where there's both a buslane and a carriageway, which lane should you use outside buslane hours? Should you treat it as a sort of dual carriageway and drive in the buslane? Normally I'd have thought stick in the normal road lane and keep buslane free. However, if (even though I'm at speed limit) someone wants to pass me their only option is using the buslane - surely that can't be right?

And no before anyone suggests it I'm not a person who drives in middle or right lane on M50 when it's empty. I understand the concept of staying in the leftmost lane where every lane is a fulltime car lane, but am just wondering how we're meant to behave with "part-time lanes".

Thanks!

Cookie_Monster

I'd use the bus lane out of hours for two reasons: (the N11 is a good example of this)

1. It's the leftmost lane
2. Most people don't use it so it's faster

TheAnswer

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

I'd use the bus lane out of hours for two reasons: (the N11 is a good example of this)

1. It's the leftmost lane
2. Most people don't use it so it's faster

Speed limit for bus lane on stretches of N11 is 60kph whilst outer lanes are 80kph. And, undertaking is illegal! Well signposted too

Cionád

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

I'd use the bus lane out of hours for two reasons: (the N11 is a good example of this)

1. It's the leftmost lane
2. Most people don't use it so it's faster

The buslane on the north quays is great for this on a Sunday.

Cookie_Monster

TheAnswer wrote: »

Speed limit for bus lane on stretches of N11 is 60kph whilst outer lanes are 80kph.

that's the 24h section. The limit for the 7-7 bus lane is 60, same as the road.

And, undertaking is illegal!

so why doesn't ever single bus get done for it then?
(I know it is illegal but still...)

Turbulent Bill

The N32 doesn't have a buslane anymore (at least the last time that I checked). The wide solid lane marking and text is just about visible, but the signposts have been removed. There used to be temporary signs saying that the buslane wasn't in operation, but these probably blew away.

I use the N32 "buslane" any time I can, firstly because its the left-most lane and secondly because I stick below the 60 limit so lots of people want to overtake me. The Gardai still regularly do speed checks here so it pays to take it easy.

Fittle

The N32 Buslane is no longer a buslane, and hasn't been one for a good while now, since the bus service to Dublin airport stopped. Why they don't do something with the 'buslane paint ' on the road is anyones guess:rolleyes:

I also use bus lanes anytime I can, out of restricted hours because I also prefer to drive a bit slower than some other motorists - not 'Driving Miss Daisy' slow...but slower than the boy-racers around my way which is close enough to the N32;)

Max Power1

OSI wrote: »

You could technically say they were illegally using the other lanes as they weren't overtaking.

Its actually not underrtaking, the buslane is counted as a separate carraigeway.

(although, probably not if its outside hours of operation)

TheAnswer

Max Power1 wrote: »

Its actually not underrtaking, the buslane is counted as a separate carraigeway.

(although, probably not if its outside hours of operation)

I'd love to see you try that one in court! I know the rules of the road state you are allowed undertake when turning left, or when traffic in outer lanes is moving slower/turning right but in the usual flow of things when traffic is moving normally (even at walking pace) it would be classed as undertaking which is illegal.

Since when is a buslane counted as a seperate carraigeway? Are you making that up now or is that a fact?

Max Power1

TheAnswer wrote: »

Since when is a buslane counted as a seperate carraigeway? Are you making that up now or is that a fact?

Just noting I dont particularly care for the tone of the last part of that post.

A buslane is a separate carraigeway to the main road. Think about it logically. How else would traffic not be able to drive in it, if we are to follow the rule that the inner most (leftmost) lane is the driving lane.

TheAnswer

Max Power1 wrote: »

Just noting I dont particularly care for the tone of the last part of that post.

A buslane is a separate carraigeway to the main road. Think about it logically. How else would traffic not be able to drive in it, if we are to follow the rule that the inner most (leftmost) lane is the driving lane.

Just also note, I don't particularly care if you don't like the tone of that part of the post, it was meant in a jocular manner, if you want to take it any other way, that's your right.

Regarding buslane being a seperate carriageway, you stated it like it was a fact of law, when in reality you're trying to apply logic to law, which historically have never been bed fellows.

I'll ask again, were you just making that bit up?:) (I'll even add a smilie if that makes you feel a bit better)