Route and public transport occupies a special place in the general road transport system. For city buses and fixed-route taxis, traffic rules provide for specially allocated lanes, the passage of which is prohibited for passenger cars.
The concept of “special route strip”
In any city, regardless of its size and population, there is a need for public transport. Traffic regulations in force in the Russian Federation provide for special conditions for this type of equipment, one of which is the presence of "special lanes on the roads."
The dedicated lane for block vehicles (MTS) on the roadway is intended only for public transport, which includes a bus and a fixed-route taxi. Passenger cars should not go to this section of the road.
In huge cities, where there are a large number of cars, a frequent fact is traffic congestion. Therefore, the established rules are not very enthusiastic about the owners of private cars, sometimes some simply ignore them.
Special marking
According to paragraph 18.2 of the SDA, the lane for block vehicles, provided just for the movement of "minibuses", is indicated by a road sign and certain markings. The strip is marked with a capital “A”, a place for stopping transport - a zigzag element.
Special rules for maneuvering
Moving on a designated area is allowed by route transport. Bikes are also allowed on the dedicated lane for block vehicles to the right of the road.
From other lanes on the road section, the highlighted lane is divided by continuous or intermittent marking. Solid intersection is strictly prohibited. Maneuvering is provided only if there is an intermittent mark. In this case, the car is allowed a number of the following maneuvers:
- lane change when making a turn;
- arrival on the line when leaving adjacent territories;
- arrival at this part of the lane for fixed-route vehicles with the aim of disembarking or embarking people.
Types of punishment for breaking the rules
Any violation of traffic rules has certain consequences. For non-compliance with traffic rules, the law provides for several punishment options. The most common is a fine. A similar type of sanction is established for leaving the lane for block vehicles and for traveling on it. For more serious misconduct, the driver may face a deprivation of the right to drive a car for a certain period. Such offenses mainly include overtaking, going to the oncoming traffic, etc.
About whether a particular driver has fines, today you can find out without leaving your home. To do this, you need to go to the official traffic police portal or the website of public services. In case of disagreement with the indicated facts and the amount of payment, any citizen can challenge them. However, if the sanctions are lawful, payment must be made on time to avoid troubles.
Consequences for going to a special lane
What are the consequences that should be expected for someone who crossed (contrary to traffic rules) the lane for route vehicles without legal reasons?
- This type of action on the part of drivers is an offense, followed by a warning or a fine (from 500 rubles).
- If the departure takes place with violation of the road marking, or the detour is “on the way”, then the minimum fine will be 1000 rubles.
- Departure to the lane for fixed-route vehicles with oncoming traffic, if there is no need to get around, is punishable by a fine of up to 5000 rubles. or shall be punishable by deprivation of rights up to six months. Provided that this misconduct was committed for the first time, the driver will be limited only to financial punishment. If the inspector re-fixes the violation, the deprivation of rights will definitely follow. In turn, the same misconduct committed for the second time, but recorded by the camera, will allow the driver to remain with the rights, but at the same time pay a considerable amount as a fine.
Bus lines fines
Lane traffic for block vehicles, as well as a stop, are unlawful and fined. In small cities, fines reach 1000 rubles, in the capital and St. Petersburg reach 3000 rubles.
It should be borne in mind that if the marking provides for traffic along a lane for route vehicles when performing any maneuvers, but they are performed with violations, it will not be possible to avoid getting a fine. Such a violation rarely comes with a warning.
Unauthorized departure (as well as movement in general), committed in passing, is punishable exclusively by penalties. Deprivation of the driver’s rights in these cases is not provided for and unlawful.
Options for typical violations when leaving or avoiding
Various types of prohibited maneuvers and lane movements for MTS are clearly defined in the SDA and are regulated by Article 12 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation.
- Departure to the oncoming traffic section through prohibitory markings provides for the deprivation of driving rights for a period of 4 to 6 months. If the offense is repeated, and the driver was detained by the traffic police inspector, then the driver’s license is withdrawn for one year. With video recording violations, you can count on a fine of 5,000 rubles.
- Driving to the left third lane (with a three-lane section where it is oncoming) during two-way traffic, according to parts 4 and 5 of Article 12 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation, is prohibited. This violation is punishable by the seizure of driver’s documents for a period of 4 to 6 months or by deprivation (for a year) in case of repeated violation. If the driver was not detained by an employee of the road transport service, but the violation was recorded by the traffic police, a fine of 5,000 rubles will come.
- For oncoming trips on the routes intended for tram transport, or for movement along them, a temporary (from 4 to 6 months) deprivation of the right to drive transport follows. For repeated travel, the term of deprivation is set twice as long (1 year). Photo and video recording by traffic police of this offense provides only material losses in the amount of 5,000 rubles. According to the SDA, tram driving is only possible in the same direction. Departure and movement on the "oncoming" are strictly prohibited.
- A counter detour or an exit on the tram path to bypass an obstacle, provided that it is possible to do this maneuver on the right side (even along the side of the road), is not permitted. According to traffic rules, an obstacle is any fixed object on the road that interferes with the continuation of movement along the line. According to the rules, an obstacle can be circled exclusively on the right. A penalty of 1,000 to 1,500 rubles is provided for a round trip.
- Oncoming traffic on a line intended for public transport, when fixed with a camera, is punishable by a fine of 5,000 rubles. In case of detention by a traffic police officer - deprivation (from 4 to 6 months).
As a result, a fine is unlikely to be avoided for going to a lane for fixed-route vehicles.
Traveling along the line allocated for route cars is punishable only by a fine, the amount of which depends on the subject of the Russian Federation. On average, it is 1,500 rubles. In the capital, this type of penalty is much higher.
The “route” lane does not provide for the movement of ordinary passenger cars along it, but if there is an intermittent marking line that you can call into, you are allowed to maneuver when the car is being rebuilt or in order to drop off or put passengers in the car. In this case, the driver should not become an obstacle to public transport.
Possible violations when overtaking
The concept of "overtaking", according to the SDA, involves in most cases going to the oncoming traffic line.
When overtaking at an intersection (unregulated / regulated) while driving in a secondary lane, a fine of 5,000 rubles is foreseen. If the driver was stopped by the inspector, deprivation of rights (from 4 to 6 months or for a year if the violation is repeated). The rule does not apply if a passenger car moves along the main lane.
Another violation option
Another option is to overtake low-speed vehicles, which include mopeds, motorcycles without a stroller, and carts. This maneuver, even if it takes place where the sign number 3.20 is installed, is not an offense. There are no sanctions for overtaking slow-moving vehicles, even if there is no special sign “lane for fixed-route vehicles” at the overtaking facility.
However, in the same case, if the car turned out to be overtaken, it is not included in the list of low-speed equipment, but simply drove at a slow speed, then a penalty may follow - a fine or temporary removal of driver’s documents.
The procedure for moving on a dedicated lane for a taxi
Since April 2012, innovations in the traffic rules came into force, in which MTS is not prohibited in the designated lane for fixed-route vehicles. However, not all the rules that apply to shuttle cars are valid for passenger taxis. The amendments concerned paragraph 18.2 of the rules and road signs 5.11 and 5.14. They should be considered in more detail:
- Article 18.2 of the rules, where it was agreed to move or stop on the lane for fixed-route vehicles of any vehicles other than public transport, was amended to include passenger taxis in the list of exceptions.
- In the previous version, sign 5.11 indicated a lane used only for route transport; in the updated document, travel is also allowed for vehicles that act as taxis.
- Changes were also made to the designation of sign 5.14 “Lane for route vehicles”, which relates directly to the right side of the road. In the right lane of passing traffic, in addition to "minibuses".
Benefits and limitations for route transport
It may seem that for this type of car there are a large number of advantages over other passenger cars, but this is not entirely true. Of course, the movement of such vehicles is allowed in a dedicated lane (both incidentally and in the opposite direction). At the same time, so that these advantages do not become a reason for issuing a fine, certain conditions must be in place: compliance with the relevant signs and the necessary markings.
Any unauthorized action will lead to a violation:
- If the road section for the movement of the route type of car is indicated by the road symbol 3.1, then the taxi has no right to move on it. Failure to comply with this installation will result in a fine.
- "Minibus" does not have any privileges when starting from a stop.
- Departure and overtaking in the lane for MTS is a violation.
- When the line for public transport is separated from the other stream of cars by a continuous one, it is not allowed to leave this section of the road.
- Also, it is not allowed to enter through a continuous route for “minibuses” from the general flow.
Requirements for public transport used as a minibus
In order for a car to be legally considered a means implied by a taxi, it must comply with a number of mandatory rules:
- The color of the machine should be predominantly yellow.
- The presence on the back of the car colorographic image.
- The presence of a special identification attribute on the roof.
- Availability of an equipped GLONASS system.
- The presence of a yellow registration plate, which is intended only for taxis.
In addition to these conditions, in order to legally move along a specially designated lane, minibuses are required to keep the taximeter turned on. This device is necessary to have any passenger taxi, which is officially engaged in private cab. The equipment is designed to automatically record the cost of the trip. A similar measure is provided as a restriction for taxi drivers who can use their inherent advantages for personal purposes.
What is the result?
Not every car transporting passengers for a fee is equated with a taxi and has the right to use some privileges that route vehicles have.
In addition, any carrier must remember that a violation of the SDA is followed by a preventive measure, which can be imposed not only in the form of a fine, but also in the form of deprivation of a driver’s license.
Everyone must abide by the rules of traffic on the roads - both drivers of ordinary cars and MTS. Human life is more valuable than time and money saved.