Queensland transport inspectors will be given permanent powers to fine motorist caught illegally using transit lanes
March 24, 2011
Queensland transport inspectors will be given permanent powers to fine motorists caught illegally using transit lanes in the south-east of the state.
Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk decided to grant the powers are a trial last year showed they improved bus travel times by almost 20 percent.
Currently, police can only issue infringement notices. Transport inspectors will conduct bus and transit lane enforcement, in addition to their other duties of vehicle defect inspection and heavy vehicle safety inspections.
“Giving transport inspectors the power to fine motorists doing the wrong thing frees up police resources and means these vital high occupancy lanes remain open for vehicles carrying more than one person,” Palaszczuk says.
T2 lanes can be used by buses, taxis, bicycles and cars carrying two more people. Similarly T3 lanes are restricted to cars carrying three or more people.
Drivers who don’t comply with the rules for using transit and bus lanes can be fined $100. A maximum penalty of $2000 can be imposed by a court.