Driver surprised after being fined for doing the right thing
A 37-year-old motorist was driving on Forest Road in Walthamstow when a police van pulled onto the wrong side of the road in order to get past him and other vehicles.
In an attempt to give the emergency vehicle more space to overtake, the driver pulled into the bus lane.
The fine
Despite the driver’s actions, Waltham Forest Council insisted that he pays the £195 fine for momentarily entering the bus lane.
The man was surprised that his appeal failed after reading an article that outlined councils would not fine drivers for moving out of the way of an emergency vehicle flashing its lights or using its siren.
Confusion over council’s decision
The driver admitted that he missed the first letter about the fine but was ready to appeal when he received the second letter.
He said he was confused about why he was penalised for trying to do the right thing. He stated, “I did it trying to do the right thing, and I’ve been penalised for that.”
The Highway Code
The Highway Code states that drivers should give way to vehicles with flashing lights, including ambulances, police cars, fire engines, and emergency doctors.
In this instance, drivers should not move through a red light, duck into a bus lane to clear the path, or enter a yellow box junction.
Council’s response
A spokesperson for Waltham Forest Council stated that the rules in London are clear about entering bus lanes, and it is the responsibility of drivers to know and follow them.
The council stated that drivers would not be fined if they moved aside for an emergency services vehicle that is responding to a call and displaying emergency lights and sirens. However, the motorist moved into the bus lane to let the police van pass but then drove the length of the bus lane instead of returning to the carriageway.
Conclusion
This motorist’s experience highlights the confusion surrounding the rules of the road when it comes to emergency vehicles.
While it is important for drivers to give way to emergency vehicles, they should also be aware of the specific rules in their area.
It is essential to follow the Highway Code and consult the local council’s guidelines if in doubt.
In the case of this motorist, he may have thought he was doing the right thing by pulling into the bus lane, but the council disagreed, and he had to pay a hefty fine.
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