Drivers have been warned they could be hit with a £70 fine if they fall foul of this driving mistake this winter.
With the dark nights rolling in earlier, more people have begun researching bus lane fines, with fears they could get caught out in the dark.
Drivers who are captured driving in a bus lane will receive a standard fine of £70, which is reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days or challenged through an appeal process.
Unfortunately, with the days getting darker earlier, many drivers can miss the bus lane lines on the road or fail to notice the clear markings that show where a bus lane begins and ends.
Reduced visibility might lead drivers to make mistakes, such as drifting into bus lanes without realising.
This is especially the case for motorists driving through routes they’re not familiar with.
Experts at CarMats.co.uk have revealed their top tips to help you avoid a fine.
Top tips to avoid £70 driving fine
Look out for bus road signs & markings
When it’s dark it’s easier to miss bus markings and signs, make sure you’re always keeping an eye for these signs to avoid missing them, especially in towns and city centres where you’re more likely to be caught. Look out for signs and the white markings in the lanes to avoid any fines.
Don’t forget your headlights
Driving without your headlights on not only increases your risk of driving in a bus lane, but it’s also a serious driving offence that can land you a hefty fine.
By getting into the habit of having your headlights on at all times during the darker months, even during the day, you won’t forget to have them on in when the sun sets.
Research unfamiliar roads
If you’re driving in new areas, Google the area beforehand, plan your route, familiarise yourself with the right lane to be in and/or use a satnav system that alerts you to bus lanes to avoid confusion and reduce your chances of a fine.
Check bus lane hours
Make sure you’re aware of the operating hours for bus lanes in the area you’re driving through. It’s a good idea to research this before you travel.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here