Transit police campaign targets drivers in Vancouver bus lanes
In a targeted campaign aimed at keeping bus lanes clear for transit vehicles, Metro Vancouver Transit Police have ticketed close to three hundred drivers so far this week.
The $109 traffic tickets have been handed out along West Georgia Street, West 41st Avenue and Main Street.
Many of the drivers told police they were not aware they had done anything wrong.
"We have a lot of people that are actually just not aware. They always assume that if you see a diamond, it's an HOV lane,” said Const. Peter Kwok of MVTP.
In fact, the diamond symbol commonly seen on roadways simply means a lane is restricted.
Corresponding overhead signs show which vehicles are allowed in the lanes and at what times of day.
Taxis are allowed in bus lanes but Uber and Lyft drivers are not.
Unauthorized drivers may use the lane to make turns, provided they do not enter the lane until halfway into a block and do not proceed straight through an intersection.
"Generally speaking, ignorance of the law is not a defense at law,” said Vancouver criminal lawyer Sarah Leamon. “And so it is important for drivers to educate themselves about the rules of the road before they get into their vehicle and start driving."
A ticket for driving in the bus lane is $109 but it does not come with points on a driver’s license.
MVTP said the enforcement is important because when unauthorized drivers weave in and out of bus lanes to get ahead of traffic, transit drivers may need to stop suddenly, creating a safety issue for passengers.
"There have been times when they have fallen off the chairs and sometimes fallen over while standing,” said Kwok. “This is a safety and awareness thing for all the people driving on the roads."
Through the first three days of the campaign, MVTP said it handed out 275 violation tickets and also caught two impaired drivers who had been driving in the bus lane.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6949309.1720003245!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
How did a religious gathering in India turn into a deadly stampede?
Severe overcrowding and a lack of exits contributed to a stampede at a religious festival in northern India, authorities said Wednesday, leaving at least 121 people dead as the faithful surged toward the preacher to touch him and chaos ensued.
Hurricane Beryl roars toward Jamaica after killing at least 6 people in the southeast Caribbean
Hurricane Beryl was roaring toward Jamaica on Wednesday, with islanders scrambling to make preparations after the powerful Category 4 storm earlier killed at least six people and caused significant damage in the southeast Caribbean.
NEW More than 5,500 heat pumps recalled in Canada due to potential risk of 'excessive heat exposure'
Health Canada is recalling a variety thousands of popular heat pumps across the country due to a potential risk of 'excessive heat exposure.'
Ontario police seize over $1M in cocaine, $300K in cash in major drug bust
Police in Cornwall, Ont. have seized approximately $1.3 million worth of cocaine and $300,000 in cash as part of a major drugs investigation.
A bride released butterflies in honour of her late father. Instead of flying away, they stuck by her side
In a moment that brought some to tears, a U.S. bride released more than a dozen butterflies in honour of her late father. Here’s what they did instead of flying away.
Biden says he 'nearly fell asleep' during debate after world travel
U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday acknowledged his performance during last Thursday's presidential debate wasn't his best, but blamed it on jet lag after two overseas trips earlier in June.
How arbitration plans went awry ahead of WestJet mechanics strike
Arbitration doesn't typically spur a strike. If anything, the reverse occurs. But on Thursday, a directive for binding arbitration from Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan was met with job action by WestJet plane mechanics just one day after it was issued, catching the airline and the government off guard and marking a turbulent start to one of the busiest travel weekends of the summer.
Vandals behead a controversial sculpture of Mary giving birth to Jesus in an Austrian cathedral
Vandals have beheaded a sculpture featuring the Virgin Mary giving birth to Jesus that had been exhibited in the cathedral in the Austrian city of Linz and drawn criticism from some Catholics who said it was blasphemous.
Senior charged in shooting of teen on rural property north of Edmonton
A Sturgeon County man has been charged after he allegedly shot a teen over the weekend.