Driving groups have hit out at the number of bus lane fines being issued in the city as it was revealed more than 108,000 motorists were fined in Glasgow alone last year.

The city issued the highest number of the fines out of a total of 40 local authorities across the UK, taking a total of £3.23million in 2017/18.

Glasgow City Council said its bus lane system was “compliant with the relevant legislation”, however the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) called for better signage to help drivers.

Under current council rules, drivers are fined the first time they are caught in a bus lane or gate and are issued with a £60 charge, which is reduced to £30 if it is paid within 14 days.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council confirmed that the council took a total of £3.23m in fines in 2017/18.

The spokesman added: “Our bus lane and bus gate signage is compliant with the relevant legislation.

“Bus lanes help to reduce emissions while also improving the journey times and reliability of bus services.

“Bus passenger numbers are falling steadily and we have to do what we can to support an essential form of public transport.”

Neil Greig, IAM policy and research director, said: “IAM RoadSmart are really disappointed that Glasgow still seems to be topping this particular league table.

“In the past the council has promised to sort out the unclear signposting in top money making locations such as Nelson Mandela Place and Glassford Street but it would appear that drivers are still getting it wrong.

“Cars, vans and lorries in these lanes cause delays and safety problems so it is in everyone’s interest to make them self-explanatory and for as few

tickets to be issued as possible.

“Success should be seen as no tickets and no delays to buses.”

Under current council rules, drivers are fined the first time they are caught in a bus lane or gate and are issued with a £60 charge, which is reduced to £30 if it is paid within 14 days.

According to comparison site Confused.com, which compiled the data, almost half (45%) of Scottish motorists who have driven in a bus lane did so unknowingly.

And almost one third (31%) of drivers in Scotland called for the money collected from the fines to be invested in making bus lane signage clearer.

The research also showed that one in six drivers (17%) refuted the fine and did not have to pay.

However, more than a quarter of Uk motorists who have driven in a bus lane admitted they did so deliberately, with most dong so to avoid traffic congestion.

Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at Confused.com, said: “The fines issued by councils in Scotland are testimony to the fact that bus lanes are one of the most confusing challenges motorists face on our already chaotic roads.

“Drivers needs to be listened to for a change – it’s only right that some of this fine money is invested to make bus lanes and signage clearer.”

The figures show that, across the 40 authorities listed, almost 900,000 drivers were issued with a fine, paying a total of around £40m.

Solicitor advocate Richard Freeman, a specialist in road traffic law, claimed he was surprised at the level of fines being issued in Glasgow and argued that most drivers end up in bus lanes in error.

He said: “108,000 fines is a lot, and it’s significantly more than the fines being issued for more serious offences.

“My belief is that most drivers end up in bus lanes unwittingly, for example when they get caught in a one way system which leads into a bus lane or if there ‘s a new bus lane introduced.”

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, added that too many councils were enforcing their bus lanes with “zeal and ruthlessness”.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council confirmed that the council took a total of £3.23m in fines in 2017/18.

The spokesman added: “Our bus lane and bus gate signage is compliant with the relevant legislation.

“Bus lanes help to reduce emissions while also improving the journey times and reliability of bus services.

“Bus passenger numbers are falling steadily and we have to do what we can to support an essential form of public transport.”