I was slapped with a £195 fine after I changed lanes to let a POLICE van drive past – it’s a disgrace
A DRIVER has been left fuming after he was slapped with a £195 fine for changing lanes to let a police van pass.
Stephen James, 37, thought he was doing the right thing when he pulled into a bus lane for a few moments for an emergency vehicle to pass.
But despite appealing the hefty fine, Waltham Forest Council insists he has to pay.
He told MyLondon: “You see [the police van] coming up and you know you need to do something to help in that situation.
“They weren’t going to be able to speed past so some action was needed.
“I done it trying to the right thing, and I’ve been penalised for that.”
Stephen was driving along Forest Road in Walthamstow when he spotted a police van on the wrong side of the road trying to get past him and other cars.
Video footage shows him pulling into the bus lane to give the police van more space to overtake.
But he was left in shock when he later received a fine from the council for £195.
He decided to appeal the fine but got rejected.
A Waltham Forest Council spokesperson told the outlet: “The rules in London are very clear about entering bus lanes, and it is the responsibility of drivers to know and follow them.
“The driver can be seen moving into the bus lane to let the emergency vehicle pass, before proceeding to drive the length of the bus lane, despite having the opportunity to re-enter the carriageway.”