Brisbane bus drivers are being abused over a road rule that some motorists may not even know exists - even though the law is spelled out in front of them.
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When driving in a built-up area with a speed limit of 70km/h or less, drivers must give way to a bus displaying a "give way to buses" sign and indicating to enter traffic from a bus zone, bus stop, bus stop bay, road shoulder or left side of the road.
Failing to give way to a bus can attract a maximum fine of $2438.
A Transport and Main Roads spokeswoman said that like other vehicles, buses were required to indicate for five seconds before moving off from being parked.
A bus is a vehicle that can carry 13 or more people, including the driver.
But only 10 people have been fined for the offence over the past two years in the North and South Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Darling Downs police districts.
Transport Workers Union Queensland branch secretary Peter Biagini said some people may think the "give way" signs plastered on the back of buses suggested it was more of a courtesy, than the law.
"There's good reasons for that law but you'd be pretty spot-on to say most people don't [know]," Mr Biagini said.
"But a lot of bus drivers, they certainly know, and that's why you see the indicator on and out they go.
"And that sort of cheeses off a lot of the general public using those roads - they probably do not understand why they should have that right."
Mr Biagini said bus drivers were being abused over the issue.
"There's not enough education out there to make people understand that it's in the benefit of road users and passengers," he said.
Mr Biagini said bus drivers were under pressure to keep to the timetable so the public transport system ran reliably and efficiently, which would encourage more people to get out of their cars and use buses.
"That's why drivers need to be able to pick up passengers at a bus stop and get back out on the road and get on to the next bus stop," he said.
"That's why that law is there, to make sure that drivers can meet their timetables."
In Brisbane, one person was fined in the South Brisbane police district in 2015-16 for failing to give way to a bus displaying a priority sign and two in the North Brisbane district, according to figures released by Transport and Main Roads.
But RACQ spokeswoman Lauren Ritchie said it was not surprising there was a low number of fines as the offence was difficult to enforce.
"Usually those fines come about from crashes," Ms Ritchie said.
Ms Ritchie said she would like to see more education, including educating motorists in their rights and responsibilities in giving way to buses and reminding everyone of the rules about indicating.
"We wouldn't want to see buses pulling out when it's not safe to do so," she said.
"There's always a need for refreshers, it's never a bad thing to be refreshed on the road rules."
Ms Ritchie reminded all motorists to show each other courtesy.
"We all have to play nice and make sure we are doing the right thing," she said.
A Brisbane bus driver, who asked to remain anonymous, said drivers were abused regularly by other motorists who did not seem to know the rule, including someone who "gave me the bird, tooted his horn".
"We've had them back up into buses, bang on the front windows," he said.
"I didn't know this regulation until I started driving buses - it's a hidden one."
He said the regulation was flaunted on a regular basis and was the source of stress and road rage on bus drivers.
