If you drive an electric vehicle you’re allowed to drive in some reserved lanes — however that does not include driving in a bus lane.
Metro Vancouver Transit Police made that point crystal clear during a review of highway signage following a four-day ticket writing blitz against motorists who drive in bus lanes.
After focusing on the issue for four days, Metro Vancouver Transit Police dished out 268 bus lane violation tickets, along with another 66 infractions for distracted driving, speeding and driving without a licence. That tallied up to a total of 334 tickets issued over four days — with 89 of those in the Delta and Surrey area.
Police launched their mobile enforcement team after hearing complaints on social media, email and from bus drivers about vehicles illegally using bus lanes.
The mobile enforcement team then targeted bus lanes on four weekdays, over a two-week period, on roads in Delta, Surrey, Richmond, Vancouver and Pitt Meadows.
Transit police Sgt. Steve Newton said the drive netted two impaired drivers who were on the road during rush hour on a Thursday.
“In addition to keeping transit vehicles moving, safety is always a goal when we enforce proper use of bus lanes,” Newton said.
Police also reviewed the signs that indicate a bus lane, that is, a diamond sign, which means a reserved lane.
Sometimes that means it’s an HOV lane, but not always, so motorists should ensure they don’t mistake an HOV lane for a bus lane.
Icons to the right of the diamond shape will indicate what type of vehicles are allowed in that lane. Electric vehicles are allowed in some reserved lanes, but are not permitted in bus lanes, said transit police.
