Queing in the bus lane - Is it OK in certain cases?

highdef

I had an interesting discussion about queuing in bus lanes today after passing a queue in the bus lane on the N4 inbound at Liffey Valley. I said that as it is a 24 hour bus lane, then there are no exceptions for driving in the bus lane.....except to pass an obstruction or when directed by Gardai or someone in authority.
To this end, I said that I would pass the queue in the bus lane and continue on the adjacent "normal" driving lane (I'll call it Lane 1 in this instance) and indicate as I approach the end of the bus lane. Then slow and enter the other lane where it is legal to so. Chances are that I will need to come to a complete stop in the driving lane until I can get access to the other lane. This therefore means that I would technically be blocking that lane.

In my discussion, it was said that by stopping Lane 1, I would be at risk of causing an accident and I could be rear ended. My response was that it was not of my concern if that happens. As far as I am concerned, the bus lane is off limits and there is no reason for me being there. I would just be adding to delays to public transport if I join the queue.

I can see both sides of the argument. I would also like to join the bus lane but I don't want to delay public transport further and also run the risk of a fine plus penalty points.

The question is, should I join the other lemmings in the bus lane or should I continue as I do so and join where it is legal to join?

Finally, if I do join the queue, is there a guarantee that if stopped by Gardai I can say that I thought it would have been unsafe for me to stop in Lane 1 whilst waiting to join at the legal point? I would imagine he would have a giggle at that proposal (I would anyway) but I would love to hear what others think.

foggy_lad

If caught you will get no sympathy from the Gardai as you are slowing up public transport making it less appealing to motorists who might otherwise have taken the bus and left more room for you on the roads:)

In fairness if you are unable to merge with lane one traffic when joining a road like the n4 from chapelizod you should be more assertive and try harder to make gaps in the traffic for yourself to slip into, stick your nose out in front of the other cars, and remember if they hit you in front of them even after you have cut into the lane of traffic, they are automatically at fault! it would of course help if the morons blocking you realised they gain nothing by not allowing you in ahead of them and in fact slow their own journey considerably.

If everyone drove with manners and courtesy the roads would be free of most congestion and many "accidents". When merging let one car in ahead of you then pull up to create a gap behind for the next car to knit in behind!

highdef

I'm in complete agreement with you foggy_lad. I was beginning to doubt myself a bit because nearly everyone agrees with each other that it's ok to queue in the bus lane so as not to block the mainline/Lane 1. I seemed to have been the only one to disagree and there's no better place to go than boards.ie to set a record straight!

With regards to your comments about joining the N4 outbound from Kylemore Road/Chapelizod, I am very familiar with that merge. I've no real issues merging. I agree that sometimes you do have be a bit assertive or you just won't get anywhere!
The main issue I do have with the merge is the fact that buses & taxis (and some public cars too) have an awful habit of driving through the cross hatchings between where the bus lane ends and the merge lane appears. Although I should drive freely along the merge lane where it joins the carrieageway, gob$hites will be barrelling along through the cross hatchings forcing there way onto the merge lane, often honking their horns at cars "in their way"! I take no prisoners here and will not give way to them, under no circumstances. The hatchings are pretty worned, mainly because they're being driven on all the time! The image below from google maps shows the cross hatchings in question.

D'Peoples Voice

there is one place I know where you almost HAVE to "park" in the bus lane
its where the Harolds Cross Road meets the Grand Canal.
Difficult to explain the junction, but i shall try nevertheless.
So you have a driving lane and a bus lane approaching the junction from Harolds Cross direction heading towards Clanbrassil Street.
Traffic coming from Harolds Cross direction, may go left towards Inchicore along canal bank, straight or right towards Rathmines along canal bank.

Cars taking the right turn hold up traffic in the driving lane,
so everyone piles into the bus lane.
Assume you are taking the left turn,
should you even think about using the driving lane up until the bus lane ends
and then moving into the left lane.....either no-one will let you in
or if they do you have several cars beeping their horns and flashing lights at you!
So i think this bus lane is to be ignored!

LXFlyer

Legally speaking you have not a leg to stand on if you do go into the bus lane as per post #4 above within the hours that the bus lane is operational. If a garda appears you should be booked.

You have to stand your ground and stay in the outside lane until the bus lane ends.

People are just not prepared to abide by the rules of the road and take short cuts for their own expediency.

That does not mean they are right.