DRIVERS are set to start receiving fines for misusing a specific part of the road that impacts safety and efficiency.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) started the Clear Lanes Project in Washington DC last year.
Under the program, bus travel times and bus stop safety are set to be improved with stage one being introduced in November and stage two having started on Monday.
In the first phase, drivers were ticketed for illegally using bus zones – the areas around bus stops.
Now, drivers who illegally use any part of the bus-only lanes will receive a $100 fine and will be notified by email.
Since Monday, some buses have been fitted with cameras that scan the lanes ahead and identify vehicles that are violating the rules.
The vehicle information is picked up by the camera and sent to the DDOT which will then send a ticket to the owner of the vehicle.
“Drivers illegally driving, parking, standing, or stopping in a bus lane” may be fined, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) said.
One resident spoke out about how frustrating the misuse of bus lanes can be and the need for drivers to be punished.
“It’s very annoying especially if the bus is already behind [schedule] and you use the bus as your main transportation to get to work or to school when it is a hard-hit time,” the resident told NBC news affiliate WRC-TV.
Footage from the news report showed a vehicle parked in the bus lane which is marked entirely in red.
Despite the hopes of the DDOT and WMATA, the resident told the news outlet that she does not believe the crackdown will be effective.
“I don’t see it changing that much if it’s just $100 is the only consequence,” the resident said.
She added that she was not calling for a larger fine but that driver’s licenses should have some kind of impact if they are found to be wrongfully using the bus lane.
However, another resident told the news outlet that the new initiative is “not fair,” adding that “the tickets are too high in DC anyway.”
“How are you gonna give a person a $100 ticket? People can barely afford to pay their rent,” he said.
Drivers must keep an eye out for the red markings that identify a bus lane along with the solid white line and the words reading “ONLY BUS.”
Certain road users are exempt from the rule such as emergency vehicles, scooters, bikes, and maintenance vehicles.
However, there are also times when all vehicles can use the lanes so drivers must be aware of this.
According to a DDOT press release, unauthorized drivers can only enter the lanes to:
- Enter a legal parking space
- Pull over for emergency vehicles
- Turn within 40 feet of an intersection or driveway (or as otherwise signed), as typically marked by signage or dashed red road markings.
In addition to this, the bus-only lanes are only in force during certain parts of the day – usually during rush hour.
This is when you will be ticketed under the bus camera crackdown.
Signs near bus lanes detail when drivers are freely able to use them.
“A warning period began on July 24, 2023, and ticketing will begin on a phased basis on November 15, 2023,” the DDOT website states.
“Bus zone tickets will be issued first, followed by bus lane tickets.
“All bus lane and zone fines will be in the amount of $100.”
On Friday the DDOT warned drivers on Facebook of the introduction of phase two.
“Get ready for a smoother commute on Monday!” a post read.
“Ticketing for Phase 2 of the Clear Lanes Automated Bus Lane and Zone Enforcement program with #DDOTDC & #WMATA begins January 29.
“Remember, parking in bus zones is not allowed, and it could result in a $100 ticket!”