Drivers shouldn't have to pay price of bus cameras
HAVING been a motorist and HGV driver in and around Plymouth for coming on 50 years now, I do find the current and ongoing arguments, both for and against, the cameras now sited to cover bus lanes somewhat of an interesting subject.
What astounds me is that, in all likelihood, we have all had to pay for these cameras from our council taxes. Who actually is being inconvenienced by a car entering a bus lane, especially if, as exists along Tavistock Road, there are numerous left hand turn offs that require the lane to be entered and crossed by people going about their lawful business.
If cars entering or crossing a bus lane are such a problem for buses, wouldn't it have been more appropriate for the bus companies, at their own cost, to have placed forward looking cameras in the buses, so as any impediment to their progress could be recorded, and any action needed then taken by the bus company, rather than the un-necessarily Big Brother approach taken by this council?
It doesn't need me to remind everyone that, for most of the time, a bus lane is empty, idle, and unused, and the cause of much frustration when a perfectly good two or three-lane carriageway is summarily reduced by one lane in this fashion.
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One can spend ages sat in traffic on the approach to Derriford Roundabout whilst the left hand lane remains empty because of the cameras. Yet buses will cheerfully add to this problem as they come across into the traffic lanes to beat the lights on the roundabout.
Get rid of around 66 per cent of the traffic lights, put the cameras on the buses and get the companies involved to pay for them and return the roads to what they were.
Will any of this be thought of or even implemented by this council? No chance, there is too much money to be had to even think of it.
DAVID PAGE
Mutley
2 Comments
by Herpthederps
Tuesday, March 12 2013, 12:50PM
“It remains empty because of the camera you muppett.”
by bluebird_14
Monday, March 11 2013, 7:29PM
“I do not agree with this. Fair enough, car drivers get frustrated when there is a free-lane to the left (the bus lane) but, as Mr.Page has stated - 'you can spend ages sat in traffic on the approach to Derriford Roundabout whilst the left hand lane remains empty...' - well, what if an ambulance needs to get through the queues? Is this not necessity amongst anything else; that this gives paramedics an emergency route if nothing else?
Sorry, but there are bus lanes all over the city, and has been for years. If you don't like queuing in traffic, leave earlier for work or get to park and ride, where you may indeed jump on a bus and travel down this 'free' lane legally. Cars do not belong in bus lanes, and it should remain that way. Side-street turn-offs can't be helped, this is fair enough but if cars used bus lanes as well, this wouldn't only cause danger for cyclists, motorcyclists and bus drivers but also this would prevent buses reaching their destinations on schedule. THIS factor alone would cause a huge problem for bus companies.
So sorry car drivers, get to know the lanes you are allowed to use, don't moan for getting caught when your using the wrong one intentionally to get somewhere quicker and the bus system the way it is.”