It is 2:00 pm on a Tuesday. You are driving on a dual carriageway where the left lane is a designated bus lane, bordered by a thick solid white line. The blue bus lane sign displays operational hours of '7:00 am - 10:00 am' and '4:00 pm - 7:00 pm'. A large coach is travelling closely behind you in the right-hand lane. You intend to take an exit located half a mile ahead. Which sequence of actions is legally correct and the safest response?
- Signal left, check your mirrors and blind spot, and move into the bus lane; because it is outside the operational hours, it functions as a normal left lane, allowing the coach to pass.Answer
- BMaintain your position in the right-hand lane until you reach the broken white lines immediately before your exit, as crossing the thick solid white line of a bus lane is strictly prohibited for cars at all times.
- CFocus on managing the hazard behind by gently tapping your brake pedal to warn the coach to drop back, remaining in the right-hand lane since passenger cars must generally avoid bus lanes.
- DIncrease your speed to create a safer gap from the coach while staying in the right-hand lane, mistakenly believing the keep-left rule does not apply when a solid white line bounds the adjacent lane.
Answer
You should check your mirrors and blind spot, then move safely into the bus lane, as it is currently inactive and functions as a normal left lane.
The correct answer acknowledges that at 2:00 pm, the bus lane is not operational. During off-hours, the restriction of the solid white line is lifted, meaning any vehicle can use the lane. By moving into this lane, you comply with the fundamental rule to keep left unless overtaking, and you safely remove yourself from the path of the tailgating coach.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Interacting with Bus Lane Infrastructure and Operating Hours