Driving onto busways

[ozbob]

Channel 10 News: More than 300 drivers have risked their lives, driving the wrong way into busways & that's just this year.

[somebody]

"Risking lives" - beat up much!

[achiruel]

"Risking lives" - beat up much!

If they are indeed driving the WRONG way on to the busway, risking a head on collision with a bus, I'd say they are risking lives-both their own and bus drivers/passengers.

[WTN]

"Risking lives" - beat up much!

The number of cars are relatively small, the chances of an accident are even smaller, but the consequences could be catastrophic. The article highlights the few cases of intoxicated drivers where the chances are higher, but not the accidents or consequences.

[Gazza]

"Risking lives" - beat up much!

If they are indeed driving the WRONG way on to the busway, risking a head on collision with a bus, I'd say they are risking lives-both their own and bus drivers/passengers.

Even if you did accidentally drive in, why wouldn't people just keep to the left, like any other roadway?

I guess if they are drunk they might not realise, but a drunk driver is a menace anywhere.

[longboi]

Most people who end up driving on the busway are just completely inattentive to everything around them and are just following a bus until they realise that all the other traffic has suddenly disappeared and they're surrounded by buses.

It could be serious if someone was to drive onto the busway and not be aware of the various different signals in place and end up driving into a bunch of people evacuating a bus/busway station etc.

[BrizCommuter]

Road signage is so poorly placed and inconsistent on Brisbane's roads that it is not surprising that some drivers turn onto busways by accident. Rather than completely blaming drivers, some thought needs to go into adequate signage and road junction layouts.

[ButFli]

I can see how you might do it if you were unfamiliar with the road network. Once you're on the busway you won't be getting off for a while.

[Golliwog]

That said, there have been a few who drive on them deliberately. One I have seen (though not recently) was those dropping off/picking up someone from the UQ Lakes bus stop.

[kazzac]

the signs around the busway entrances are clearly marked so most of the time it must be someone not familiar with the roads or too drunk to know where they"re going .For example the busway entrance in Birdwood Rd Holland Park West[ I pass on my way home]says No Cars.

[achiruel]

That said, there have been a few who drive on them deliberately. One I have seen (though not recently) was those dropping off/picking up someone from the UQ Lakes bus stop.

I know someone who did this.

Of course he was driving an ambulance so I think it's allowed (but correct me if I'm wrong).

Does anyone know what the procedures for emergency vehicles to enter the busway is?  Do they have to notify Busway control somehow or do they just drive on?

[haakon]

I know someone who did this.

Of course he was driving an ambulance so I think it's allowed (but correct me if I'm wrong).

Does anyone know what the procedures for emergency vehicles to enter the busway is?  Do they have to notify Busway control somehow or do they just drive on?

Yes, Emergency Services vehicles are allowed on the busway. It was one of the selling points of the Eastern Busway IIRC ease of access to the PA hospital from east of Stones Corner.

[longboi]

That said, there have been a few who drive on them deliberately. One I have seen (though not recently) was those dropping off/picking up someone from the UQ Lakes bus stop.

I know someone who did this.

Of course he was driving an ambulance so I think it's allowed (but correct me if I'm wrong).

Does anyone know what the procedures for emergency vehicles to enter the busway is?  Do they have to notify Busway control somehow or do they just drive on?

As a matter of courtesy emergency services are supposed to notify Operations but generally they don't. It's generally reported in by busway staff out in the field or picked up on camera.