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

[cuz]

Hi, I'm not sure on this so I thought I'd get you fellas to help me out.

I believe that one of the most frustrating things on the roads today is the blatant inability of people to keep left. Now, I'm talking about drivers in the right lane of a multi laned road. Be it a freway or other major arterial. In most other situations, if they are doing the speed limit, too bad for me, I just have to grin and bear it. I spend a lot of time on melbournes roads and freeways and it really is annoying to be constantly held up by drivers in the right lane. Granted that some of them aren't really paying attention to their mirrors and I've crept up, but most are just plodding along either just under or on the speed limit. Move left people and let the driver behind go past.

But, I'm wondering if its against the law? I'm from NZ and not only was it against the road code but its what my Dad emphasied alot when I was learning to drive, Keep left! Even to this day, I get anxious when I'm in the right lane and another motorist is behind me. I do everything possible to quickly but safely move left to let them thru. However, I seem to be one of only a few on the roads these days. Having never seen the Aust. road code I don't know the legalities of this problem.


So, my question to you is:
Is driving in the right lane and holding up traffic illegal?

Not that theres much I can do about it, but it would be nice to know.
Thanks,
Cuz :

[ratter]

I think it is law in Vic that in a zone above 80 kmh you must stick to the left lane unless overtaking.

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

[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.

[Gimmers55]

The following is an extract from The Australian Road Rules (Oct 2003), which apply across Australia (with some variations from state to state (eg doing a hook turn in Melbourne's CBD because of tram traffic). In short you should stay left. Hope this answers your question.

Rule 129 Keeping to the far left side of a road

(1) A driver on a road (except a multi-lane road) must drive as near as practicable to the far left side of the road.

Offence provision.
Note Multi-lane road is defined in the dictionary.

(2) This rule does not apply to the rider of a motor bike. Note Motor bike is defined in the dictionary.

(3) In this rule:
road does not include a road-related area.
Note Road-related area includes the shoulder of a road — see rule 13.


Rule 130 Keeping to the left on a multi-lane road

(1) This rule applies to a driver driving on a multi-lane road if:

(a) the speed-limit applying to the driver for the length of road where the driver is driving is over 80 kilometres per hour; or
(b) a keep left unless overtaking sign applies to the length of road where the driver is driving.

Note 1 Length of road and multi-lane road are defined in the dictionary.
Note 2 Part 3 deals with speed-limits.

(2) The driver must not drive in the right lane unless:
(a) the driver is turning right, or making a U–turn from the centre of the road, and is giving a right change of direction signal; or
(b) the driver is overtaking; or
(c) a left lane must turn left sign or left traffic lane arrows apply to any other lane and the driver is not turning left; or
(d) the driver is required to drive in the right lane under rule 159; or
(e) the driver is avoiding an obstruction; or
(f) the traffic in each other lane is congested; or
(g) the traffic in every lane is congested.

Offence provision.
Note 1 Centre of the road, left traffic lane arrows, obstruction, overtake, right change of direction signal, traffic and U–turn are defined in the dictionary.

Note 2 Rule 159 deals with traffic signs that require a particular kind of vehicle to drive in the marked lane indicated by the signs.

Note 3 Rule 329 deals with when a traffic control device applies to a marked lane.

(3) A keep left unless overtaking sign on a multi-lane road applies to the length of road beginning at the sign and ending at the nearest of the following:

(a) an end keep left unless overtaking sign on the road;
(b) a traffic sign or road marking on the road that indicates that the road is no longer a multi-lane road;
(c) if the road ends at a T–intersection or dead end — the end of the road.

Note Road marking, T–intersection and traffic sign are defined in the
dictionary.

(4) In this rule:
lane, for a driver, means a marked lane for vehicles travelling
in the same direction as the driver, but does not include a
special purpose lane in which the driver is not permitted to
drive.

Note 1 Marked lane and special purpose lane are defined in the
dictionary.

Note 2 Rule 95 deals with driving in emergency stopping lanes, and
Division 6 of this Part deals with driving in other special purpose lanes.

[b2tf]

Keeping left is purely optional at all speeds, and illegal at any speed under 60km/hr.

[RG]

Originally Posted by b2tf

Keeping left is purely optional at all speeds, and illegal at any speed under 60km/hr.

In Vic it is definitely law to stay in the left hand lane in 80km/h zones or above. I'm 100% sure on that.

[Keepleft]

Yes.

AND further, -
NZ'ers, Victorians, Queenslanders, Tasmanians, ACT people, Western Australians, South Australians, NT people - are NOT taught HOW to CORRECTLY use motorways with three or more lanes. Here, 'keep middle' prevails way too much which results in traffic delays through reduced traffic throughput etc and so on.

NSW is the ONLY AUS jurisdiction that has the appropriate text. Other locales will follow our UN based, EU sourced tutorial on the matter in time.

What they teach in China (and GB/EU) on the matter:
http://www.td.gov.hk/road_safety/roa...ays_/index.htm

NSW tuition, Pdf 2.92mb, see Page 93:
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/...lish_print.pdf

[JC]

Originally Posted by Keepleft

Yes.

AND further, -
NZ'ers, Victorians, Queenslanders, Tasmanians, ACT people, Western Australians, South Australians, NT people - are NOT taught HOW to CORRECTLY use motorways with three or more lanes. Here, 'keep middle' prevails way too much which results in traffic delays through reduced traffic throughput etc and so on.

NSW is the ONLY AUS jurisdiction that has the appropriate text. Other locales will follow our UN based, EU sourced tutorial on the matter in time.

What they teach in China (and GB/EU) on the matter:
http://www.td.gov.hk/road_safety/roa...ays_/index.htm

NSW tuition, Pdf 2.92mb, see Page 93:
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/...lish_print.pdf

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.

[BA_Turbs]

Originally Posted by RedXR347

In Vic it is definitely law to stay in the left hand lane in 80km/h zones or above. I'm 100% sure on that.

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!)

[RG]

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!)

Actually it is 80 zones too. You should notice the keep left signs in most of them.

[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.

[cuz]

Originally Posted by b2tf

Keeping left is purely optional at all speeds, and illegal at any speed under 60km/hr.

Thats the mentality I'm talking about.

[Quasi]

Originally Posted by b2tf

Keeping left is purely optional at all speeds, and illegal at any speed under 60km/hr.

You should go directly to the nearest Rego office, or Police station on Tuesday and hand in your license.

Please tell us that was a half-arsed attempt at humour, because otherwise I'd like to know where you are so I can NEVER go there.

[JC]

Originally Posted by Quasi

You should go directly to the nearest Rego office, or Police station on Tuesday and hand in your license.

Please tell us that was a half-arsed attempt at humour, because otherwise I'd like to know where you are so I can NEVER go there.

Nah - he's serious, but he's from the bush and drives a ute. Mobile roadblock in the city! LOL. (That was a joke, BTW)

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by JC

Nah - he's serious, but he's from the bush and drives a ute. Mobile roadblock in the city! LOL. (That was a joke, BTW)

And he comes from a town where 90% of the population drive Trains, and as you know Train drivers dont have a choice, they have to keep left!

[Stefan]

[cuz]

I've just read thru another thread in the bar titled 'Your Tailgating Retaliation'

Some of the comments in there were pathetic. No bloody wonder there is so much road rage going on these days. Hit the brakes then speed up, let them past then pull in behind and tailgate them with high beams on and so on...

Just let them past. Who cares if they are speeding. Good luck to them I say. If I let them past and they speed off, hopefully I can see the flash of the speed camera as it gets them and I can check my speed.

[aussiblue]

Yes in WA but only where there is a keep left sign or the speed limit is 90 km/hr or more See http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/w...eg/rtc2000113/
and http://www.slp.wa.gov.au/statutes/re...?OpenDocument:

ROAD TRAFFIC CODE 2000 - REG 112
Keeping as far left as practicable
112 . Keeping as far left as practicable

(1) Except where these regulations provide otherwise, a driver shall keep the vehicle as close as practicable to the left boundary of the carriageway, except where 2 or more lanes marked on the carriageway are available exclusively for vehicles travelling in the same direction.

Modified penalty: 1 PU

(2) Subregulation (1) does not apply if the vehicle is a motor cycle.

and

ROAD TRAFFIC CODE 2000 - REG 113
Restriction on use of right lane
113 . Restriction on use of right lane

(1) In this regulation —

"marked lane" does not include —

(a) a lane set aside exclusively for vehicles making a left or right turn;

(b) a special purpose lane; or

(c) any other lane that is not for the use of general traffic on the carriageway;

"right lane" , in relation to 2 or more marked lanes that are available exclusively for vehicles travelling in the same direction, means the marked lane that is further or furthest to the right side of the carriageway.

(2) This regulation applies to a driver driving on a carriageway that has 2 or more marked lanes available exclusively for vehicles travelling in the same direction where —

(a) the speed limit is 90 km/h or more; or
(b) a "keep left unless overtaking" sign applies to that part of the carriageway,

or both.

(3) A driver shall not drive the vehicle in the right lane unless —

(a) the driver is turning right, or making a U turn from the centre of the road, and is giving a right turn signal;
(b) the driver is overtaking;

(c) a "left lane must turn left" sign or left traffic arrows apply to any other lane, and the driver is not turning left,

(d) the driver is required to drive in the right lane under regulation 137;

(e) the driver is avoiding an obstruction; or

(f) the traffic in each other lane travelling in the same direction is congested.

Points: 2 Modified penalty: 1 PU

Left lane must turn left sign


(4) A "keep left unless overtaking" sign applies to a length of carriageway beginning at the sign and ending at the nearest of the following:

(a) an "end keep left unless overtaking" sign;
(b) a road sign or road marking that indicates the carriageway is no longer a multi-lane carriageway;

(c) if the carriageway ends at a T-intersection or dead end — the end of the carriageway.

Keep left unless overtaking sign
End keep left unless overtaking sign


(5) The Director General, by notice published in the Gazette —

(a) may declare that this regulation does not apply to the driving of a vehicle on a carriageway described in the notice; and
(b) may vary or revoke a previous notice under this subregulation.

[XRchic]

It must be law here in SA as my ex actually got fined by a cop for being in the left lane, overtaking a very slow car in front of him on the freeway by overtaking in the right lane and staying there.... about 1km down the track he was still in the right lane and got flashed, pulled over and fined!!!! He was told that he should have pulled back into the left lane.

I dont care who is doing what speed... if there is a car behind you and you are in the right lane, just pull over to the left if you can. Its that simple. If I am doing the speed limit, and someone doing 5km over comes up behind me, I will always move out of their way if there is room to. Without a doubt.

And I try to keep over to the left at any speed limit zone... its just courtesy.

A point to remember... you never know why someone may want to get past you, and why they might be speeding a little.. they could have a relative in hospital from a car accident, a bloke might have just got a call that his wife is in labour or it might even be someone that is just running late for a really important job interview... who knows? But Im not about to judge why... I will just let them past. And I expect the same courtesy regardless of the law.

[Ives]

I hate people that drive on the right lane going as slow (10km/h under) as the ones on the left lane.

[aussiblue]

Unfortunately in WA our Freeways, where the keep left rule applies most off the time, appear not to have always been designed with this in mind with some right hand lane exits so you get the slow drivers who either hold up the right hand lane or the suddenly realise they need to be in the right hand lane to get in their exit lane and make a sharp turn right hander across two lanes of faster moving traffic (eg those coming onto the Narrows Bridge heading north in the left hand lane wanting to exit with a right turn into Newcastle Street). I also don't think our Freeway signage (in comparison to that in Sydney for example) gives out of towners enough warning of lane they need to be on to exit to what locations.

[b2tf]

Quasi, I would hand in my licence but I dont have one.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by b2tf

Quasi, I would hand in my licence but I dont have one.

Yes you do!

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

[aussiblue]

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

AUSTRALIAN ROAD RULES - REG 130
130—Keeping to the left on a multi-lane road
(1) This rule applies to a driver driving on a multi-lane road if:
(a) the speed-limit applying to the driver for the length of road where the driver is driving is over 80 kilometres per hour; or
(b) a keep left unless overtaking sign applies to the length of road where the driver is driving.
Note 1— "Length" of road and "multi-lane road" are defined in the dictionary.
Note 2— Part 3 deals with speed-limits.
(2) The driver must not drive in the right lane unless:
(a) the driver is turning right, or making a U-turn from the centre of the road, and is giving a right change of direction signal; or
(b) the driver is overtaking; or
(c) a left lane must turn left sign or left traffic lane arrows apply to any other lane and the driver is not turning left; or
(d) the driver is required to drive in the right lane under rule 159; or (e) the driver is avoiding an obstruction; or
(f) the traffic in each other lane is congested; or
(g) the traffic in every lane is congested.
Offence provision.
Note 1— "Centre of the road", "left traffic lane arrows", "obstruction", "overtake", "right change of direction signal", " traffic" and " U-turn" are defined in the dictionary.
Note 2— Rule 159 deals with traffic signs that require a particular kind of vehicle to drive in the marked lane indicated by the signs.
Note 3— Rule 329 deals with when a traffic control device applies to a marked lane.
(3) A keep left unless overtaking sign on a multi-lane road applies to the length of road beginning at the sign and ending at the nearest of the following:
(a) an end keep left unless overtaking sign on the road;
(b) a traffic sign or road marking on the road that indicates that the road is no longer a multi-lane road;
(c) if the road ends at a T-intersection or dead end—the end of the road.
Note— "Road marking", "T-intersection" and "traffic sign are defined in the dictionary.
(4) In this rule:
"lane", for a driver, means a marked lane for vehicles travelling in the same direction as the driver, but does not include a special purpose lane in which the driver is not permitted to drive.
Note 1— "Marked lane" and "special purpose lane" are defined in the dictionary.
Note 2— Rule 95 deals with driving in emergency stopping lanes, and Division 6 of this Part deals with driving in other special purpose lanes.

[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]

Ref: Vicroads Rules;
http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/NR/rd...inginVicRR.pdf page 52

The rule is written rather strangely:

On multi-lane roads with a speed limit over 80 km/h, you must keep out of the right lane unless you are:
*Overtaking
*Turning right
*Making a U-turn
*Avoiding an obstruction
*Traffic is congested

You must also keep out of the right lane where a Keep Left Unless Overtaking sign applies.

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).

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Silver Ghia

On multi-lane roads with a speed limit over 80 km/h, you must keep out of the right lane unless you are:

Hmm, I would have said that that means that if there is a lane on your right you stay out of it unless your doing one of the things mentioned above.

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Hmm, I would have said that that means that if there is a lane on your right you stay out of it unless your doing one of the things mentioned above.

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

[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

[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.