RANT: A point of clarity

[R-Soul]

I had a situation on my commute today, and was wondering about it. Perhaps others could inform me of the legalities:

I was in the bus lane (not the motorway). A car was only JUST in front of me, and to the right (i.e in the lane next to me to my right). He indicated for purposes of turning left into a parking area. He was only justin front of me, to teh extent that I could not see his rear indicators directly in front of me, and did not notice his front ones, as they wer not all that visible. He started turning in front of me, from his lane. I did not have time to brake (no space really) and was surprised when he started his turn.

Luckily V-twin torque came through for me, I swerved left and accelrated past the front of his bonnet. No harm done.

Now- questions:
1) Should he not have moved into the bus lane first, and then turned off it - surely he is not entitled to turn across a (bus) lane of traffic?
2) If he was entitled to turn from his lane, and assuming he actually saw me beforehand, should he have slowed to let me past first, or was I obliged to let him turn first (as he was ahead of me)?

I personally think he should have moved into my lane along time before teh turnoff, and had no right to cut me off. I was distracted and probably not as aware as I should have been, but surely the law cannot favour another motorist when I am moving in my lane in a straight line?

[oneofsix]

I had a situation on my commute today, and was wondering about it. Perhaps others could inform me of the legalities:

I was in the bus lane (not the motorway). A car was only JUST in front of me, and to the right (i.e in the lane next to me to my right). He indicated for purposes of turning left into a parking area. He was only justin front of me, to teh extent that I could not see his rear indicators directly in front of me, and did not notice his front ones, as they wer not all that visible. He started turning in front of me, from his lane. I did not have time to brake (no space really) and was surprised when he started his turn.

Luckily V-twin torque came through for me, I swerved left and accelrated past the front of his bonnet. No harm done.

Now- questions:
1) Should he not have moved into the bus lane first, and then turned off it - surely he is not entitled to turn across a (bus) lane of traffic?
2) If he was entitled to turn from his lane, and assuming he actually saw me beforehand, should he have slowed to let me past first, or was I obliged to let him turn first (as he was ahead of me)?

I personally think he should have moved into my lane along time before teh turnoff, and had no right to cut me off. I was distracted and probably not as aware as I should have been, but surely the law cannot favour another motorist when I am moving in my lane in a straight line?

Think you can thank the council revenue scam for your problem. he was likely afraid to use the bus lane in case he got a ticket. He is only permitted to use the lane 50m before the turn and that might only apply to intersections.
He had no 'right' to cut you off and should have let you through. You may have been in his blind spot and his head check (if he did one) missed you. More likely he figured he was indicating and therefore you were aware of his next move and should allow room, if he thought of you at all.

Glad you made it through

[Usarka]

Car is allowed in bus lane for no more than 50m for the purpose of a left turn.....

Otherwise it is a lane and car driver should be treating it as such.

Bus lanes can be scary places, car drivers are usually quite ignorant of the rules - the most they usually know is that if they drive in a bus lane and get video'd they get a fine. (edit: as per oneofsix post above while i was typing).

[MSTRS:Me]

Cars may only use the buslane for a maximum of 50m prior to turning into a sidestreet. A 'parking area' could most likely be deemed a driveway, and it's anyone's guess as to whether a car should merge first or turn across.
You say he was just in front of you...were you keeping pace, going faster or being passed? The reason I ask is if keeping place MORE FOOL YOU FOR SITTING THERE, you were likely in his blind spot due to the C pillar passenger side. Yes, he could have looked in his side mirror, but they are notorious for giving a driver a false impression of what is where on that side.

[steve_t]

Be wary of cager's blind spots

[Usarka]

Yeah bus lanes you need to be 3x as aware as normal in auckland traffic.

Still it would be nice if the rules were nice, clear and understood by the populace. Maybe another argument for having to resit drivers licence regularly....

[Devil]

He has to merge first. It's still a lane.

It's unbelievable the amount of people who cant judge 50m. Thats plenty of time to move over.

He should have looked better, and you should take care not to hang around peoples blind spots.

[C.Linnell]

As far as judging 50m is concerned, that's about 5 or 6 seconds travelling in the lane while you slow down to turn.

[R-Soul]

I was doing about 60kph and going a bit fasterthan the line of cars next to me- cant do much more. There was a long queue of traffic next to me, so I was bound to be in at least one car's blind spot. If I had spotted his indicator, I would have moved forward of him and clearly into his view. But I didn't. I should have been more aware and looking out for indicators.

[Voltaire]

I use the bus lanes every day on Dom Road, I try to avoid being next to cars as like you found they dart across. Buses are possibly easier to see at a glance than a motorcycle...

I try to be either in front of behind cars in parallel lanes everywhere for this reason.
Its not that motorists don't see bikes.....its all the time, hence lots of panelbeaters.
Cars turning across stationary traffic is a problem too as often you can't be easily seen....I've seen a couple of Scooters get knocked off this way....a Visy over your office clothes don't help much.

[Squiggles]

When i'm passing traffic in a bus lane I keep the speed right down, too many turn across (from both left and right) or come within the percieved 50m of their turn.

[YellowDog]

Avoid the other driver's blind spot and either speed up or slow down.

If you can't see their indicators and brake lights then you're not in a good position.

Well done for avoiding an off

[C.Linnell]

Look at the mirrors too - if you can see a car, make sure you can see the driver in one of the car's mirrors.

[MaxCannon]

Be super careful in those bus lanes dude.

I don't use them since I moved but when I was going up Mt Eden road at least once a week I had to dodge someone that cut across the lane without looking / indicating.

They might be in the wrong but it doesn't help much knowing you are right while picking yourself out of the gutter.

If traffic is moving at the speed limit I'd be inclined to merge in behind.
Use the buslane when it slows down so you don't end up hanging around in someone's blind spot.

Any cars pulling into the lane will do so as a slower speed so you'll have more time to react.

[Wannabiker]

If they are moving into a bus lane...they are only looking for buses....