Ministerial Statement: From fast lane to firing line - crackdown on transit lane

[ozbob]

Minister for Main Roads
The Honourable Craig Wallace
10/05/2010

From fast lane to firing line - crackdown on transit lane cheats

Transit lane cheats in the fast lane will be in the firing line from today (May 10) with the arrival of reinforcements in the fight against traffic congestion.

Acting Transport Minister Craig Wallace said transport inspectors would use their new powers to pull over motorists driving illegally in transit and bus lanes in the state's south east.

"They'll be flexing their muscles, putting those new powers to the test in a six-month trial that kicks off today in two key traffic hot spots," Mr Wallace said.

"My message to motorists is simple: do the right thing by the T2 and T3 lanes and it'll be smooth sailing, but if you jump the queue and you're caught, you'll be hit with a $100 fine," he said.

From 7am today, traffic inspectors are out in force on the corner of Waterworks Road and Gresham Street, Ashgrove, while others will patrol the transit lane on the Pacific Highway near Mains Road.

"In the hustle and bustle of getting the kids off to school on time and heading to work, there's nothing more frustrating than being held up by selfish motorists who sneak into the transit lane," he said.

"It's high time to get tough on transit lane cheats and I reckon responsible motorists who do the right thing will agree," he said.

Mr Wallace said the six-month trial is designed to tackle traffic congestion.

"Transit and bus lanes are vital cogs in the transport system. They're all about tackling congestion and getting people out of their cars and onto public transport," he said.

"Traffic congestion was high on the agenda at the Premier's recent Queensland Growth Management Summit and that's what this trial is all about - tackling traffic snarls," he said.

Transport inspectors have the power to stop private vehicles illegally driving in bus and transit lanes. They can request to see the driver's licence and issue the driver with an infringement notice.

"The latest statistics show how well the Queensland Police Service is doing its job in keeping us safe on the road," he said.

"With transport inspectors keeping an eye on transit and bus lanes, police can focus more of their resources on clamping down on speeding and drink driving on our roads," he said.

Additional information

It is an offence under sections 154 and 156 of the Queensland Road Rules for a car to drive in bus lane or transit lane at any time without the specified minimum number of people in the vehicle and incurs a penalty of $100.

The Road Rules provides for a range of exceptions or defences for driving in a bus or transit lane for a distance of up to 100 metres for such things as entering or exiting the roadway, making a turn and avoiding an obstruction.

Who can legally use transit and bus lanes?

·T2 lanes- Buses, taxis, bicycles, limousines, motorcycles, cars carrying 2 or more people (including the driver).

·T3 lanes - Buses, taxis, bicycles, limousines, motorcycles, cars carrying 3 or more people (including the driver).

·Bus lanes - Buses, taxis, bicycles and limousines.

If you don't fit one of these categories, you can drive for up to 100 metres in a bus or transit lane if you need to:

·enter or leave the road

·overtake a vehicle that is turning right, making a u-turn from the centre of the road or giving a change of direction signal.

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[ButFli]

$100 is not enough. I know many people who would gladly cop a $100 fine once a month if it meant they could get to work quicker. Cars should be impounded and licenses revoked!

[tomato]

From fast lane to firing line .......

Who can legally use transit and bus lanes?

·T2 lanes- Buses, taxis, bicycles, limousines, motorcycles, cars carrying 2 or more people (including the driver).

·T3 lanes - Buses, taxis, bicycles, limousines, motorcycles, cars carrying 3 or more people (including the driver).

·Bus lanes - Buses, taxis, bicycles and limousines.

..... bicycles legally in transit & bus lanes   ??

Don't mind a run on the pushbike myself ..... not keen on Lycra clad people who sit in the middle of the lane though.... not till they go as fast as me    ..... Edit : me in a car

[longboi]

From fast lane to firing line .......

Who can legally use transit and bus lanes?

·T2 lanes- Buses, taxis, bicycles, limousines, motorcycles, cars carrying 2 or more people (including the driver).

·T3 lanes - Buses, taxis, bicycles, limousines, motorcycles, cars carrying 3 or more people (including the driver).

·Bus lanes - Buses, taxis, bicycles and limousines.

..... bicycles legally in transit & bus lanes   ??

Don't mind a run on the pushbike myself ..... not keen on Lycra clad people who sit in the middle of the lane though.... not till they go as fast as me    ..... Edit : me in a car

If bicycles weren't allowed they would either have to ride on the footpath or in the middle of the road.

[tomato]

Well that is right Nikko...... thats why horses, bicycles & tractors are banned from many Toll &/or Freeways.

To my mind a fast lane is no place for a pushbike...... the traffic planners should preferably provide an alternate place for bicycles ie a dedicated bikeway one would hope.

[somebody]

Well that is right Nikko...... thats why horses, bicycles & tractors are banned from many Toll &/or Freeways.

To my mind a fast lane is no place for a pushbike...... the traffic planners should preferably provide an alternate place for bicycles ie a dedicated bikeway one would hope.

I'm with you, tomato.

$100 is not enough. I know many people who would gladly cop a $100 fine once a month if it meant they could get to work quicker. Cars should be impounded and licenses revoked!

$100 isn't enough, but let's not get carried away.

[dwb]

..... bicycles legally in transit & bus lanes   ??

Yes and rightfully so.

A transit lane is not a "fast lane" it is a congestion free lane.

Most buses only travel average speeds of around 30km/hr, and many cyclists (the ones likely to be riding in the lanes anyway) are capable of riding that speed.

[#Metro]

A transit lane is not a "fast lane" it is a congestion free lane.

Most buses only travel average speeds of around 30km/hr, and many cyclists (the ones likely to be riding in the lanes anyway) are capable of riding that speed.

I don't like the idea of buses and bikes sharing lanes. I don't want a giant BCC bus  anywhere near me when I ride a bike.
I've seen the "sandwich" maneuver, or the "turn left/right and almost hit a cyclist" maneuver too often.

[dwb]

The more bikes there are the safer it will be.

Besides, I'm not suggesting non-provision of alternatives, I'm just saying there's no way I think bikes should be banned from transit lanes.

[longboi]

A transit lane is not a "fast lane" it is a congestion free lane.

Most buses only travel average speeds of around 30km/hr, and many cyclists (the ones likely to be riding in the lanes anyway) are capable of riding that speed.

I don't like the idea of buses and bikes sharing lanes. I don't want a giant BCC bus  anywhere near me when I ride a bike.
I've seen the "sandwich" maneuver, or the "turn left/right and almost hit a cyclist" maneuver too often.

Buses generally drive in the far left lane anyway so whats the difference? The only way to avoid other vehicles is to get off the road.

[#Metro]

Buses generally drive in the far left lane anyway so whats the difference? The only way to avoid other vehicles is to get off the road.

Alternative: Or put in dedicated copenhagen bike lanes.

[longboi]

Buses generally drive in the far left lane anyway so whats the difference? The only way to avoid other vehicles is to get off the road.

Alternative: Or put in dedicated copenhagen bike lanes.

But could you do that to every road in Brisbane/SEQ?

[ozbob]

No helmets ...

[Golliwog]

No helmets ...

Yeah its weird! The UK doesn't have a law saying you must wear helmets either and the only people I've seen wearing helmets are little kids cycling with their parents. I don't get it. Sure you don't stack it very often, but when you do they can save your life. I know I've gone over the handle bars and landed on my head, breaking my helmet but at least not breaking my head.

[dwb]

Copenhagen is one of the safest places in the world to cycle simply from numbers of cyclists.

Most road accidents (the fatal/high injury ones where your helmet is useless) are avoided in the first place.

People ride slower as well, so accidents they are responsible for are also less common.

The data out there supports not requiring cyclists to wear a helmet.

For me personally however it feels odd not to wear a helmet!

[Jon Bryant]

But could you do that to every road in Brisbane/SEQ?

Yes it is possible and very very very necessary.  It just needs good design and planning plus a recognition that all our roads do not need to be 2 or 3 lanes wide in both directions.  Our roads need to be equally shared by cars, cyclists, public transport and pedestrians.  Our roads are currently designed soley for the benefit of the car.  Everything else is an anoying distraction.

In Munich and other cities the lanes are separated even further from the traffic in a grasses and treed median strip.

PS. I loved in Copenhagen with my parents for 2 years and it is where I learnt my passion for alternative city designs.