Fined for carrying too many passengers

2:28pm Monday 8th January 2007

A 34-YEAR-OLD man has been fined £450 for having six people in his car and driving in a bus lane.

Neil Charnley was carrying a woman and four children in a Ford Mondeo at the junction of Bean Road and St Clements Road, Greenhithe, on October 27 last year.

He was stopped by police and told officers he drove in the bus lane because he saw other motorists use it.

Charnley, of Charles Street, Greenhithe, said he did not realise it was an offence to drive in a bus lane.

When questioned about the number of people in his car, Charnley said he realised it was dangerous but he was only travelling a short distance.

Dartford magistrates fined Charnley £300 and gave him three penalty points for having too many passengers in his car.

He was also fined £150 for failing to comply with traffic signs and ordered to pay £60 costs.