A nurse was fined £30 for pulling into a bus lane to allow an ambulance to pass. Gwen Bednall was driving home at around 11am when she saw an ambulance approaching from behind with its sirens on.
Gwen moved into the bus lane but was left shocked after she was later fined. Gwen, who has been a nurse for over 20 years, said: "I can remember it exactly, because I knew I did it. I did it for a reason and I knew why I had done it. It was going fast and had its blue lights on, so I didn't think. I thought they would let me off as I thought it was so clear, what I had done."
Gwen was told she should have left the bus lane clear for the ambulance to use - but says she could see several cars ahead of her in that lane, after the bus lane ended, waiting to turn. She said: "If I moved left then the right lane was free and it could go charging into town. If I had stayed where I was, both lanes would have been blocked.
"I thought I would be exempted as my priority was to let the ambulance past, especially with no buses coming. What you can't see from the camera is what was ahead of me and I could see all the cars blocking the way, so thought it made sense for me to clear my lane for the ambulance."
Gwen challenged the fine but was told to pay up, and says she would do the same again in future, reports DerbyshireLive.
The image sent to Gwen by the city council, showing her in a bus lane. The ambulance can be seen at the top of the road, heading towards her. (Image: Gwen Bendall)
She said: "It just seems like a bit of a jobsworth who isn't taking anything into consideration. I think I made the most sensible decision and the process is very blinkered. It's almost like 'bus lane, that's it'."
"Everyone has said it's ridiculous. The ambulance wasn't making any attempt to go into the bus lane, it was obvious it wanted to go into town and could likely see what I could see. But the camera doesn't pick that up. I'd still do it again in the future. You'd let an ambulance past, wouldn't you? Or any emergency vehicle."
A council staff member contacted Gwen to say the ticket had been waived, after journalists approached the council for comment.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Derby City Council said: “The Council cannot comment on individual cases. The footage for each case is reviewed individually and provides context for a Civil Enforcement Officer to understand the circumstances the driver was faced with. Based on this review, the Civil Enforcement Office will make a decision whether or not an infringement has occurred.
“Anyone who believes they shouldn’t have received a Penalty Charge Notice can make an informal challenge in writing. Details of how to appeal are included with the Penalty Charge Notice correspondence and on the Council’s website.
“Emergency vehicles are exempt from traffic restrictions when wholly engaged in an emergency and drivers are informed of this in their driver training.”
