Although road markings are difficult to spot on long November nights, drivers are urged to pay attention to them as overtaking can result in a hefty fine.
Driving becomes more challenging in the fall and winter as temperatures drop and daylight hours become shorter, making it easy for even the most experienced drivers to make mistakes.
CarMats.co.uk highlights that one of the most common mistakes drivers make is using the public transport lane, which puts them at risk of a hefty fine.
They advise: “It’s easy to miss bus markings and signs in the dark, so always pay attention to them, especially in cities and town centres where you’re more likely to miss them.”
Bus lanes were introduced to UK roads in 1968 and are a simple way to reduce congestion while encouraging public transport and making roads inaccessible to private cars.
However, in the dark of night and with faded road markings, drivers can easily drift out of their lane and face a £35 fine, which can rise to a staggering £70 if the fine is left unpaid for more than 21 days.
Therefore, it is extremely important for drivers who want to avoid unnecessary expenses to double check and ensure that their vehicle’s headlights are in good working order before changing lanes to ensure that road markings are as clear as possible.
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CarMats.co.uk also advises drivers planning a trip to a new area to research the roads they will be driving on so they know to avoid nearby bus lanes.
They added: “If you are driving in an unfamiliar area, search the area in advance on Google, plan your route and familiarise yourself with the lanes you need or use a sat nav which will alert you to bus lanes to avoid confusion and reduce the chance of getting a fine.”
When planning a route, drivers should also check whether bus lanes are open at certain times, as some allow private vehicles to enter when buses are running less frequently.
Post time: Feb-27-2025