Keepin left.... is it a law???

[Quasi]

Where do people get the idea that the right-hand lane is the fast lane?

There are clearly marked overtaking lanes on mountain roads and sections of highway, but otherwise we do not have a so-called fast lane in this country......we have multi-lane carraigeways, with most clearly marked "Keep Left Unless Overtaking"....nothing more.

Ignorance of this gets you booked. Many years ago a mate was towing one of my cars on a trailer and just happened, somehow, to be in the right-hand lane. We were pulled up by a motorcycle officer and his reaction was literally "Where do Canberra drivers get the idea it's OK to drive in the right lane?"....that pretty much does it for me.

[cuz]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Yes you do!

I still have whats left of the Cereal packet you cut it from!

BWAAHAHAHAHAHA

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Silver Ghia

It says "you must keep out of the right lane" not "you must keep out of the right lanes".

Ooh, now we're being pedantic.

I'd say that if there's a lane on your right you must keep out of it.

Originally Posted by Quasi

Where do people get the idea that the right-hand lane is the fast lane?

There are clearly marked overtaking lanes on mountain roads and sections of highway, but otherwise we do not have a so-called fast lane in this country......we have multi-lane carraigeways, with most clearly marked "Keep Left Unless Overtaking"....nothing more.

Ignorance of this gets you booked. Many years ago a mate was towing one of my cars on a trailer and just happened, somehow, to be in the right-hand lane. We were pulled up by a motorcycle officer and his reaction was literally "Where do Canberra drivers get the idea it's OK to drive in the right lane?"....that pretty much does it for me.

No one was talking about 'fast' or 'slow' lanes. Just the law, that states that you stay in the left lane.

I was pulled up a few years ago (NSW in a truck) on a divided road at 3am by a HP. I was the only vehicle on the road until Mr plod jumped out from his hiding place and questioned me about driving in the right lane. I said "because the left lane is bloody rough!" I never got booked but I did get a lecture on the left/right lane rules

[JC]

Originally Posted by aussiblue

SA (unlike WA) has adopted the Australian Road Rules per http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/s...r210/s130.html

Actually, the rules are the same. Over 80, and 90km/h and over, are effectively the same thing. Don't think I've ever seen an 85 speed limit, so over 80 really means 90 and above.

Anyway, for all the arguing and interpretation, the original question has been answered - a simple Yes would have done.

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Ooh, now we're being pedantic.

I'd say that if there's a lane on your right you must keep out of it.

Not what it reads though.

The big problem of keeping to the left (if that is the rule), is that lane markings and freeway designs are such that it is almost impossible to stay in the left lane where there are freeway entrances and exits.

In the UK where keeping to the left is enforced much more rigorously, lanes are marked such that one can travel at constant speed past motorway entrances without hinderance with entering traffic, and you actually have to eventually merge into the new left lane (which carries the vehicles entering the motorway). Its the right lane that ends, so you cannot stay continously in that lane.

What we really need are clearly written road rules that everyone can understand, and roads that are designed to support these rules.

[JamesR]

i like driving in right hand lanes.
deffinatly smoother roads.
but i also hate having cars right up behind me.
one time i was coming into melbourne, eastern suburbs. i was just past the section of the monash where it goes from 2 to 3 lanes, and i was in the right lane overtaking.
i was probably speeding a little bit, but i had some ****er come up behind me, so i tried to move, but other lanes had heavy traffic, when i finally moved over, he pulled infront of me [real close], jumped on his brakes a few times then took off.
people **** me.

[JC]

Originally Posted by xr6ist

Lmao even if the road rules were plasted on peoples heads so they could read it in the rear vision mirror keep left unless over taking people still wouldnt do it, so stop all your bitching and get over it coming on a public forum and raving on aint gonna solve **** is it and not only that its rather perthetic as has been stated the question has been answered move on back to your speeding and overtaking and get over it.

Planning a long stay here? lol.

[RG]

Originally Posted by xr6ist

Lmao even if the road rules were plasted on peoples heads so they could read it in the rear vision mirror keep left unless over taking people still wouldnt do it, so stop all your bitching and get over it coming on a public forum and raving on aint gonna solve **** is it and not only that its rather perthetic as has been stated the question has been answered move on back to your speeding and overtaking and get over it.

With a post like that the only thing that is "perthetic" is you. This is a public forum. This is a thread in a public forum inviting comments about road rules regarding keeping left. You shouldn't be in this public forum, now go away quietly.

[Bluefreak]

Originally Posted by Silver Ghia

I interpret this as you can still drive in the middle lane of a 3 lane highway, or the second lane from the right on any freeway regardless of the number of lanes. You dont have to stay in the extreme left lane at all (unless its only a 2 lane freeway).

I was taught in the army and in follow-up heavy vehicle courses that on a 3 lane highway, the middle lane is the "left lane" so to speak... The actual left lane should be clear for vehicles entering/departing the highway and the right lane was for overtaking vehicles which may be traveling slower than the posted limit. Of course this is all relative to the level of congestion on the roads...

[BA_Turbs]

Originally Posted by RedXR347

Do so anyway everywhere practical I say.

That's what I said anyway?

[GXL078]

Only in "The British Commonwealth" (excluding Canada) and Japan. The rest of the world has to keep right

[GT290]

Originally Posted by JC

I take your point on not being taught, but I don't understand how it's not just common courtesy - why should it need to be taught. If you can safely travel at the speed you want to, do it in the left lane, and leave the right for overtaking.

It is technically illegal to overtake on the left of a car (undertaking??), but I do it often, as idiots just won't move out of the right. My mates, and family, all reckon I lane swap too much - in reality, all I am doing is sitting in the left, then into the right to overtake, and then back to the left. Over my 30 km journey to work, I probably add another 1/2km or so in the extra distance I do weaving from left to right! LOL.

Yep its a real bad thing over here this undertaking but when people sit in the right lane blocking it and the inside lane is moving quick you have no choice I believe. you sould keep left with the exception to off ramp lanes so the center lane is good in multi lanes free ways. what really gets out of hand is the fact that traffic blending as you enter the freeway, this causes a great deal of traffic to shift ito the right lane. Now the reason for this are inside lane too slow or the trasffic entering is too slow. Traffic in left lane tail gating, you see if the speed is 90 and you are entering into a free way you should be at freeway speed on entry and provided the freeway motorists are not tailing one another you should blend no problem with out the need for ten cars to all of a sudden pull over to the right and creating complications and erratic behavior

[Bill_R]

Originally Posted by BA_Turbs

The law is actually ABOVE 80km/h or where the road is signposted to keep left. You don't HAVE to keep left in an 80km/h zone, but we all know everyone should! (As per Ratter's post!)

Yeah, that's important to note unless there are "Keep left ..." signs. Mostly there are. I think the rule should apply to 80 Km/h zones too.

[RSgerry]

Of course, there is no camera designed to catch people failing to keep left, so there is no money in it, so there is no enforcement...

[Bill_R]

Originally Posted by Quasi

Where do people get the idea that the right-hand lane is the fast lane?

There are clearly marked overtaking lanes on mountain roads and sections of highway, but otherwise we do not have a so-called fast lane in this country......we have multi-lane carraigeways, with most clearly marked "Keep Left Unless Overtaking"....nothing more.

Ignorance of this gets you booked. Many years ago a mate was towing one of my cars on a trailer and just happened, somehow, to be in the right-hand lane. We were pulled up by a motorcycle officer and his reaction was literally "Where do Canberra drivers get the idea it's OK to drive in the right lane?"....that pretty much does it for me.

Totally agree with this. The idea that the RH lane is a "fast" lane is the cause of many problems when drivers just sit in that lane and expect to do whatever speed they like.
The RH lane is an overtaking lane (above 80 or when signposted)- you use it to overtake then move back into the LH lane.

[Bill_R]

It is technically illegal to overtake on the left of a car (undertaking??), but I do it often, as idiots just won't move out of the right.

Where is this rule actually specified?

[cuz]

Originally Posted by RSgerry

Of course, there is no camera designed to catch people failing to keep left, so there is no money in it, so there is no enforcement...

Too true. I've followed a police car on the western ring road, who was in turn following a car in the right lane. The driver of the front vehicle was sitting there on 90-95k's and not only did the coppers tailgate him, but then proceeded to undertake them and carry on.
I was gobsmacked!

[Jesk]

I know I've followed a cop car on the southern express way sitting in the righthand lane for several km and we were the only ones on the road, I just sat there in the left with my cruise on the speed limit watching him pull away _2: so hows that the cop doesn't know how to keep left and doesn't know how to lighten his boot off the peddle on the far right :1syellow1

[Silver Ghia]

This is a very complex issue really, mainly due to speed cameras forcing drivers (including those overtaking) to stay within the certain speeds. This results quite often in vehicles in the right lane "overtaking" at very minimal speed over the vehicle being overtaken.

Gives me the irrates really. A lot of times the "overtaking" car even slows down when next to me or just in front. I know I'm doing the speed limit plus tolerance on the cruise control, but some just want to get in front then slow down again so they dont risk being fined.

[Keepleft]

Originally Posted by Bluefreak

I was taught in the army and in follow-up heavy vehicle courses that on a 3 lane highway, the middle lane is the "left lane" so to speak... The actual left lane should be clear for vehicles entering/departing the highway and the right lane was for overtaking vehicles which may be traveling slower than the posted limit. Of course this is all relative to the level of congestion on the roads...

You tell me the EXACT army section and I will *ensure* by Commonwealth direction that this error is fixed.

In relation to overtaking using the left lane of a three laned freeway/motorway:
It is NOT illegal. A driver using the left lane is merely passing slower traffic 'keeping middle', pure and simple.

If a car is routinely seen to be passed by other traffic on its left, in a marked lane on a freeway, that is prima facie evidence of not keeping left.

The rule in GB is the same as AUS and refers to the rightmost lane used by all traffic, its just folk are taught in the UK Road Code (online) HOW to use three laned motorways. Everyone in Australia, EXCEPT NSW readers, are NOT, as Isaid earlier.

[Kenaz]

Originally Posted by ratter

At speeds below 80 it is expected you to keep left but not compulsory

My loss of 3 demerit points and $125 fine would suggest otherwise.

[kyro_02]

i thought it was only 1 point for not keeping left?

[Keepleft]

Originally Posted by kyro_02

i thought it was only 1 point for not keeping left?

This depends on the state.

In NSW we give you three. Fine = $231 typically. I'd expect that to increase to $275 - 330 range this year.

[JC]

Originally Posted by Keepleft

This depends on the state.

In NSW we give you three. Fine = $231 typically. I'd expect that to increase to $275 - 330 range this year.

It should be 6.

[JC]

Originally Posted by Keepleft

In relation to overtaking using the left lane of a three laned freeway/motorway:
It is NOT illegal. A driver using the left lane is merely passing slower traffic 'keeping middle', pure and simple.

What about a 2 laned freeway?

[bob^]

People driving in the left lane is equally annoying when there is traffic merging.
Common sense says move into the middle lane at those points to allow traffic to flow a hell of a lot easier.

[JC]

Originally Posted by JC

What about a 2 laned freeway?

Found it.

No overtaking etc to the left of a vehicle
(1) A driver (except the rider of a bicycle) must not overtake a
vehicle to the left of the vehicle unless:
(a) the driver is driving on a multi-lane road and the vehicle
can be safely overtaken in a marked lane to the left of the
vehicle; or
(b) the vehicle is turning right, or making a U–turn from the
centre of the road, and is giving a right change of direction
signal.

Obviously illegal overtaking on the left pretty much refers to using the shoulder to overtake.

[Keepleft]

Originally Posted by bob^

People driving in the left lane is equally annoying when there is traffic merging.
Common sense says move into the middle lane at those points to allow traffic to flow a hell of a lot easier.

Not too hard to manage. See vehicles entering on the ramp, indicate right>>>> fully into the right or middle lane. Return to the left lane once it is clear again. Certainly not advocated weaving in and out of lanes a la United States style.

If someone is in the middle lane, they can back off the accelerator, or indicate right>>>> into the right lane.

Right lane traffic, if it exists, can ease off the accelerator. Practice has it that one does not pull into the path of faster closing traffic.

[Bill_R]

Originally Posted by JC

Found it.

....

Obviously illegal overtaking on the left pretty much refers to using the shoulder to overtake.

Thanks for that! I thuoght it was the case.

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by Pedro

The M1 from Brisbane to the Gold Coast is four lanes wide in both directions and the third and fourth (far right) lanes are always the most populated. I even seen marked police cars cruising out there when the left lanes are vacant. There are very big signs along the way stating "KEEP LEFT UNLESS OVERTAKING" Yet the empty-head drones drive out in the fourth lane in their hundreds. If you did that in Europe you be pulled over, castigated by the police, and heavily fined.

I'm glad somebody else has discovered the Gold Coast Motorway. What appalling driving standards Qld'ers have - makes NSW drivers look like tightly disciplined stormtroopers (and that's saying something!). Whats the point of building an 8 lane motorway if people straggle all over it at speeds of their own choosing? And I am amazed at the number of police cars and driving school cars (in NSW too) who sit in the right lane. These people are supposed to be setting the example and shouldn't have their jobs if they do this.

Keepleft you might want to bring the RTA's attention to the contradictory sign on Mona Vale Road ascending the Ingleside hill saying not to overtake on the left - not only invalid I presume but seems to accept the use of the right lane as the slow lane. If the authorities can't get it right....!