Have I been caught?

The offence is crossing the stop line on a red light, so if you are already past the stop line on green then no offence as far as I know, however driving headlong into traffic that has now got a green light going the other way could possibly land you in trouble.

Indeed, and the offence is committed if any part of the car crosses the line. It can be difficult, if not impossible, for a driver to see whether the rear bumper has cleared the line.

Quote from: oscar21 on June 13, 2026, 10:12:17 am

The offence is crossing the stop line on a red light, so if you are already past the stop line on green then no offence as far as I know, however driving headlong into traffic that has now got a green light going the other way could possibly land you in trouble.

Indeed, and the offence is committed if any part of the car crosses the line. It can be difficult, if not impossible, for a driver to see whether the rear bumper has cleared the line.

Car had fully crossed the line and from those lines to the threshold of yellow box there was space for at least cars.

I was driving on Finchley Road where the new roadworks are, and there was a red temporary roadworks board saying “USE BUS LANE.”

I moved into the bus lane before I reached the sign because I could already see it ahead (probably around 50 metres away) and assumed it was telling traffic to use the bus lane due to the roadworks.

I haven’t received a PCN or anything—I’m just curious.

Has anyone else driven through there recently? Did you enter the bus lane before the sign, or wait until you were level with it?

Also, is there any guidance or law that says how far before a temporary “USE BUS LANE” sign you’re allowed to move over? I can’t find anything that mentions a specific distance.

Would appreciate hearing from anyone who’s driven through that section or knows how these temporary roadworks signs are supposed to work.

Is this the location ?
https://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-(councils-tfl-and-so-on)/being-in-a-bus-lane-barnet-council-a1000-high-roadeast-end-road-east-finchley-tu/

no it’s on finchley road

You are in a 30 mph limit. You see an NSL sign 50 metres ahead ahead. Can you immediately speed up to 60 mph, or do you have to wait until you reach the sign?

I think it would be physically impossible to move into the bus lane only once you are level with the use bus lane sign. There would have to be a dramatic last minute swerve and you would still be a couple of feet prior to the sign.

i had a brainfade moment today and drove through a road that was blocked by Highway Maintenance.

i had to get onto a pavement, drive about 200 meters and then come to a clearing.

on the way i passed a pedestrian but i got off the road for them and was about 10 feet distance from them to my left.

i was driving at 5mph or less. no other traffic but this pedestrian.

at the clearing the road ahead was blocked.

a man came out of the Highway Maintenance van and took photographs of me and my car and said i had driven through blocked road, therefore my car didn't have valid insurance or mot and i had endangered civilians and police would get involved. i do not know if he photographed my driving past the pedestrian.

i have held a clean license for more than five years and about 5 years ago i attended a driving training course for speeding.

today's offence is a first for me and i am panicked.

what am i looking at in terms of penalties and charges?

thanks in advance

Who can tell? Possible charges: failure to comply with a traffic sign, driving on a footpath, careless or dangerous driving?

Huge range of possible outcomes.

Forget insurance or MOT implications: that is nonsense.

Who can tell? Possible charges: failure to comply with a traffic sign, driving on a footpath, careless or dangerous driving?

Huge range of possible outcomes.

Forget insurance or MOT implications: that is nonsense.

so best to wait for NIP and then see?

So, I thought it was apt to post something here too.

There is currently a PCN on the Harrow Council website alleging my vehicle drove through the infamous Camrose Avenue bus gate. The full thread is here:
https://www.ftla.uk/civil-penalty-charge-notices-(councils-tfl-and-so-on)/harrow-camrose-avenue-bus-gate-westbound/

The PCN on the website says "Payment status: Balance paid" even though I have not paid anything.

If this really is the real status and I do not receive a PCN in another 7 days, I haven't a clue what to do.
Should I still appeal? Should I appeal on failure to serve the PCN rather than my long complicated grounds.
Do I even need to appeal?
Any ideas?

My grandfather had a medical emergency last night. I was called at 3am by my grandmother who just shouted down the phone that he’s having a heart attack and come quick. I drove safely the whole 10 minute journey, which mostly consists of a 70mph bypass with a small stretch of road being 50mph due to air pollution (has been average speed check area for a couple of years). I was so panicked and just continued at 70mph. At the time I just thought it’ll be a £100 fee and a speed awareness as I’ve never had any driving issues previously. However, I thought afterwards (when discussing the medical emergency with police officer who was required to take a report as it was so sudden) that it could be a much more serious punishment as I was significantly over at 70 vs 50. I didn’t even consider it at the time, likely due to panic and also the fact that it doesn’t feel like it’s speeding as such as it’s not due to danger. Like I’d never dare to speed above 70 or go faster than the limit in a residential area.

To make matters worse, I arrived at the same time as the paramedics who said my grandfather was dead. My grandmother is unwell herself and a fraction of the size of my grandad so her guided CPR was not effective, this is sadly why she was so determined to get others there asap.

What may I be facing? I’m really struggling with the death along with this anxiety.

First of all sorry for your loss.

You should be offered a fixed penalty (£100 and 3 points).

That may be preferable to making a court appearance and having to explain the whole sorry episode over again (with no guarantee of a successful outcome).

If you do fancy that, we can explain the legalities to you and what you will have to convince the court of.

Thank you. It’s been a difficult night.

It’s relieving to hear that it’s likely a fine and points, instead of a ban. My anxiety has been awful about that.

Do you know if I’ve definitely been ‘caught’ if it’s an average speed area and I did 70mph the whole way through?

We have no idea what your average speed might be, likely to be less than 70 though. Fixed penalties should be offered for up to 75 in a 50.