What happens when people refuse to keep out of the fast lane

[Syndrome]

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/rea...-1226867250537

He got what he deserved but she should have kept out of the fast lane and none of this would have occurred.

[mechanic]

With the new cycle laws in Qld. we'll ALL be either in the fast lane or the oncoming traffic lane as we are now allowed to cross double white lines.

I can see road rage becoming an epidemic.

[BLUEYBA]

Just remember that all lanes have the same speed limit. So as long as you are doing the speed limit then there shouldn't be an issue. I guess on a freeway you should keep left unless overtaking.

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by BLUEYBA

Just remember that all lanes have the same speed limit. So as long as you are doing the speed limit then there shouldn't be an issue. I guess on a freeway you should keep left unless overtaking.

Not correct. If you are doing the speed limit that does not mean you have the right to stay in the fast lane. The law clearly states 'keep left unless overtaking'. It does not state "keep less unless overtaking except when you are travelling at the speed limit".

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Not correct. If you are doing the speed limit that does not mean you have the right to stay in the fast lane. The law clearly states 'keep left unless overtaking'. It does not state "keep less unless overtaking except when you are travelling at the speed limit".

All lanes can be used if the volume of traffic is enough to warrant it..

Drivers are not required to keep left in multi lane when the speed limit is less than 80 kph, or when there is
a need to turn right at an on coming intersection or when the volume of traffic necessitates use of all lanes.

[zilo]

Originally Posted by jpd80

All lanes can be used if the volume of traffic is enough to warrant it..

Drivers are not required to keep left in multi lane when the speed limit is less than 80 kph, or when there is
a need to turn right at an on coming intersection or when the volume of traffic necessitates use of all lanes.

Unfortunately in the incompetent public service style of the public servants true to form approach it is not worded like that.

In Victoria it is worded that you must keep left when the speed limit exceeds 80kph,which means if it is posted as 80 then you need not keep left EVER.

So....the only time you must keep left is when it is 90 or 100km/h.

Then they say except when busy...well...some people regard two cars on the horizon as busy.....FFS

How stupidly has that been legislated?

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by zilo

Then they say except when busy...well...some people regard two cars on the horizon as busy.....FFS

Reminds me of a guy I used to know. Talking to him about how fog lights are only meant to be used in bad weather, he said night time is bad weather for him. lol

[burnz]

Originally Posted by jpd80

All lanes can be used if the volume of traffic is enough to warrant it..

Drivers are not required to keep left in multi lane when the speed limit is less than 80 kph, or when there is
a need to turn right at an on coming intersection or when the volume of traffic necessitates use of all lanes.

not in NSW,, multi lane rule keep left even if the speed limit 40 school zone that's the law.
congestion is the only time you can break that rule.

where I live we even have signs stating keep left unless overtaking,
when the speed limit is only 60kph.

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Originally Posted by burnz

not in NSW,, multi lane rule keep left even if the speed limit 40 school zone that's the law.
congestion is the only time you can break that rule.

where I live we even have signs stating keep left unless overtaking,
when the speed limit is only 60kph.

Have you got a reference for that, burnz? If you refer to the Australian Road Rules I referred to earlier, you'll see that everything you've stated above, except the "not in nsw, multi lane rule keep left even if the speed limit 40 school zone" part, is covered by those Rules.

The law is basically (in summary and my words, not theirs), keep left unless overtaking whenever the posted speed limit is over 80km/h, except where congestion is evident, or wherever a "keep left unless overtaking sign" is posted. Therefore, I think NSW has the same law, it is just that you have identified a couple of the exceptions?

Of course, some states do have variances to the Australian Road Rules (ie u-turn at lights in Vic).

Craig H

[grey_esp]

Originally Posted by BLUEYBA

Just remember that all lanes have the same speed limit. So as long as you are doing the speed limit then there shouldn't be an issue. I guess on a freeway you should keep left unless overtaking.

yeah but its when people travel less than the speed limit that causes a problem.

Its been a while since I got my license but my understanding was (with the exception of congestion) that if the posted limit is 90 or greater than if you are traveling in the right hand lane, you should not travel any slower than within 10kmh of the limit. And if you are traveling on the freeway the same applies to any lane other than the left lane, but when your in the left you can not travel slower than with in 20kmh of the posted limit. The only exceptions being (other than congestion) if the left lane is a special purpose lane in which case it all applies to the next most left lane. I even thought there was something that said when there are 3 or more lanes then you must travel at the limit in the outer most lane, but not 100% sure on that one.

But people seem to think they have the right to travel at what ever speed they like in what ever lane they like and they are "safe drivers because they aren't speeding"

[JC]

Originally Posted by BLUEYBA

Just remember that all lanes have the same speed limit. So as long as you are doing the speed limit then there shouldn't be an issue. I guess on a freeway you should keep left unless overtaking.

Your guess has nothing to do with it. The law says you keep left unless overtaking in any speedzone more than 80. Same law applies in the states, but I think that road was 50 mph, or 80, so technically there is no "fast" lane since it only applies to 55 and above.

Cops would get more revenue from policing the kept left unless overtaking than they would from speeding, but speeding is easier to book for since all you need is a camera with speed detector in it.

But that dude in the ute deserved what happened to him.

[duaned]

Nice tankslapper!

[MITCHAY]

Too bad she didn't get the look on his face after :

[galaxy xr8]

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

Too bad she didn't get the look on his face after :

Yeah that would be priceless to go back and laugh.

[DJM83]

Hahahahaha. Priceless.

[Ben73]

Fast lane? This road seams to have turns to the left. Didn't look like much of a freeway. No idea why this halfwit couldn't just pass on teh right.
Also

Woman is driving along, right on the speed limit. Dude comes up behind her in big mean black ute. Dude tailgates her. Tailgates her some more. Dude then switches lanes, pulls up beside her and gives her the finger.

And then, dude crashes.

He loses control of that big oversized beast of a car, takes out some road furniture and ends up on the other side of the road.

That's some quality journalism right there from a website called news.com.au. Woman is driving along, right on the speed limit. Dude comes up behind her in big mean black ute. Dude tailgates her. Tailgates her some more. Dude then switches lanes, pulls up beside her and gives her the finger.

And then, dude crashes.

He loses control of that big oversized beast of a car, takes out some road furniture and ends up on the other side of the road. Very professional.

[Revolver]

I think a little clarity should be made with at least one of the terms mentioned in this thread here.

There is no "Fast-lane" in Australia?? (or whichever country this would apply to)

While there isn't a "defined" "Fast-lane", it would however be called common knowledge that the right lane, or right-most lanes on a multi lane carriage way would be considered a "Fast-lane" due to this reason. If your doing less than the posted limit or, if you are and someone is being naughty, you are SLOWER than the car overtaking you on the RIGHT, therefore FASTER than you. Hence "Fast-lane".

While it may not be the LAW above 80kmh it would be considered a common courtesy to do so, to keep traffic moving in a (semi) uniform manner (if everyone held up this unspoken agreement). Slow traffic on the left, faster-than-the-slow(er)-traffic-in-the-left-lane (let's just call it Fast-lane for simplicity, OK?)in the right lane. Seems a simple method.

You see examples of this when two B doubles are trying to drag race each other up a lengthy incline with one doing 65 and the one "overtaking" (bahahaha) doing 75 when he pulls out, then 70 as he starts to pull alongside. Backs up traffic for a good 200m or more behind them as everyone doing 100 cram up behind them.

Originally Posted by Ben73

Woman is driving along, right on the speed limit. Dude comes up behind her in big mean black ute. Dude tailgates her. Tailgates her some more. Dude then switches lanes, pulls up beside her and gives her the finger.

And then, dude crashes.

He loses control of that big oversized beast of a car, takes out some road furniture and ends up on the other side of the road.

That's some quality journalism right there from a website called news.com.au. Woman is driving along, right on the speed limit. Dude comes up behind her in big mean black ute. Dude tailgates her. Tailgates her some more. Dude then switches lanes, pulls up beside her and gives her the finger.

And then, dude crashes.

He loses control of that big oversized beast of a car, takes out some road furniture and ends up on the other side of the road. (sic)

Fixed. Pretty obvious that the journo knew what was writing and how it was being written, but that should have been added to clear up that show that they wrote it this way deliberately. Be pretty boring and long winded to explain this in full on journo correct reporting wouldnt it?

But sometimes the obvious isn't obvious until it's made obvious.

Obviously.....

Originally Posted by FlivverFord

Also take note people, when you & a row of cars are stuck behind a slower driver & an overtaking opportunity arises, the first vehicle behind the slower one has right of way to pass first.
So why is that the driver who is number 3 or 4 in the queue feels the need to speed off into the passing lane & rocket off in front of everyone else.
It's simple...they're thinking "I'm faster & better than all 'yall drivers"!!

No, because if your 3 or 4 (5 or more if your the lead car) cars infront of the over taken car, person number 2 or beyond is thinking (after ample amount if time I might add) "why haven't you (or number 1) moved over?". At this point there is usually a flurry of indicators, merging simultaneously and swerving in confusion to miss the person infront or behind as they are doing the same maneuver to pass or be passed.

So I am thinking, "do I want to be part of this potential accident?"

Can you guess the answer??? Hmmm...

No I'm outta here. Make the move early, decisively, clearly and quickly to ensure you are out of any possible danger, as well as doing your part to do the same for the rest of the gaggle of cars.

So if your first in the queue, and you or the lead car haven't changed lanes in ample amount of time, really the moment you have a safe distance, (which is NOT 4 cars in front) you have lost that that "Right of way" in view of overall safety.

I don't mean driving aggressively, or carelessly, or trying to match a fighter jet in G-forces changing lanes, I am talking about driving in a way to minimize risk, the time in blind spots and misjudgment.

And misjudgment, hesitation, second guessing, as well as both lack of awareness and commitment is what gets people killed.

[Streets]

As others have said, she wasn't on a freeway

[NAK302]

there's a couple of funny things about that video.
1st, the "driver" is so concerned about the guy behind her, is she actually concentrating on driving while videoing him?
2nd, that fella behind her is not tailgating her at all. i use the professional drivers of the Bruce hwy as the example here. apparently (well, up here north of Rocky, anyway) any B-double is allowed to be closer than that by another couple of metres if you happen to be on the speed limit.

[mechanic]

' i use the professional drivers of the Bruce hwy as the example here. apparently (well, up here north of Rocky, anyway) any B-double is allowed to be closer than that by another couple of metres if you happen to be on the speed limit. "
Absolutely, so many times I've driven the Bruce Hwy with the rear view mirror completely filled with the image of the radiator of a semi.
I think things have improved over the last few years but it used to be nothing but intimidation by truck drivers.
Trucks these days have much more grunt to pass so they don't seem to be as bad.

[sico]

The person filming should've been concentrating on driving.

Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

So, to sum this up (assuming this was to happen in Australia):

There are no "fast lanes" in Australia.

The law (and I think this is now universal for all states and is covered under Rule 130 of the Australian Road Rules) does not require you to keep left unless overtaking unless the road you are travelling on is sign posted at anything over 80km/h.

Even then, there are exceptions to the rules. I have reproduced Rule 130 below for those who are interested. The full Road Rules can be found here: http://www.ntc.gov.au/filemedia/Reports/ARRFeb12.pdf

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; or
(h) the right lane is a special purpose lane in which the
driver, under another provision of the Australian Road
Rules, is permitted to drive; or
(i) there are only 2 marked lanes and the left lane is a slow
vehicle turn out lane.
Offence provision.
Note 1 Centre of the road, left traffic lane arrows, obstruction,
overtake, right change of direction signal, special purpose lane, 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
slow vehicle turn out lane means a marked lane, or the part
of a marked lane, to which a slow vehicle turn out lane sign
applies.
Note A slow vehicle turn out lane is designed for slow-moving vehicles
to move into to allow faster vehicles to pass in an adjacent marked lane.

Sometimes karma is a b...h.

Craig H

[No.6]

Originally Posted by psychobimbo

So, to sum this up (assuming this was to happen in Australia):

There are no "fast lanes" in Australia.

The law (and I think this is now universal for all states and is covered under Rule 130 of the Australian Road Rules) does not require you to keep left unless overtaking unless the road you are travelling on is sign posted at anything over 80km/h.

Even then, there are exceptions to the rules. I have reproduced Rule 130 below for those who are interested. The full Road Rules can be found here: http://www.ntc.gov.au/filemedia/Reports/ARRFeb12.pdf



Sometimes karma is a b...h.

Craig H

I may have misunderstood your first sentence, but roads do not require a 'keep left unless overtaking' sign. The rule is that anything over 80 on a multilaned road should be considered as 'keep left unless overtaking'. If the sign is displayed, obviously you must adhere to it regardless of speed limit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFPMScli2-0

BTW this is off topic, but does this forum have the ability to display youtube videos instead of just the link?

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Originally Posted by No.6

I may have misunderstood your first sentence, but roads do not require a 'keep left unless overtaking' sign. The rule is that anything over 80 on a multilaned road should be considered as 'keep left unless overtaking'. If the sign is displayed, obviously you must adhere to it regardless of speed limit.

Yep, precisely what I was saying (although perhaps that was not clear enough )

Craig H

[Spurious]

If you drive like an idiot then it's just a matter of time before you over step the mark & come unstuck.
Keep left, that's a joke. Most drivers I see want to be in front & overtake everything in sight.

The most common thing I see on 100kph/110 dual lane roads is this:
-car on the left doing 90, car behind doing 90 & they would otherwise stay there (in their comfort zone) until I go to overtake, then the rear car doing 90 will jump out in front of me, & continues at 90! They had the option of staying put 'til I went past, then they can pass at a snails pace but oooooooooooh no, gotta' jump out in front of faster moving traffic. BUT WHY???

People don't like to be overtaken, pure & simple. It's a sychological thing, an inferiority complex if you will & I find the worst offenders are those in little cars with little engines. Always trying to prove themselves ESPECIALLY when a vehicle wants to overtake them.
Everyone has been witness to those twits on the highway who go slow & when you get the chance to pass on an overtaking lane they speed up, then they slow down again when the overtaking opportunity has passed.

Also take note people, when you & a row of cars are stuck behind a slower driver & an overtaking opportunity arises, the first vehicle behind the slower one has right of way to pass first.
So why is that the driver who is number 3 or 4 in the queue feels the need to speed off into the passing lane & rocket off in front of everyone else.
It's simple...they're thinking "I'm faster & better than all 'yall drivers"!!!

So long as people drive like this there will be road rage.
More than once in my driving history I have been stuck behind a slower car with a long queue behind me & I have actually pulled over & stopped for a few minutes. I'm happy to let them all go & fight it out.

I have no doubt that the woman in this scenario antagonized the guy in some way. She could have just ignored him, maybe drop back past the truck on her right & pull over out of idiots way or even stop for a mo'.

[Pedro]

Apart from all of the above it is a courtesy to keep left whether it's 80 kph limit or not.
The eight lanes M1 between Gold Coast and Brisbane is mostly 110kph limit, yet the majority of empty-headed users drive in lanes 3 and 4 permanently, even though it is an offence under Qld Traffic laws. I've seen police cars driving in those lanes when there is plenty of room in lanes 1 & 2. With that kind of attitude I can't see any solution in the short term.

[UberKnee]

This was in Amurica wasn't it? So they'd keep Right there...

According to the woman there were trucks in the other lane as well so she couldn't exactly just change lanes and let some douchebag driver get his way anyway. Abusing someone and driving like a ******** is not better than not speeding in the "fast lane" despite what enthusiasts/hoons think.

[wodahs]

What's this driving at 99.5kph bullshit when its posted 100 and I was doing 110 to catch you now get out of my way so I can catch up with next vehicle and get irate at them its my right just coz I can't see/dont know or can't care why your there just get out of my way so I can over take you all and pull in front and turn slowing you all Down ..... Ph and just wait till we have to merge and I'm behind in other land and there's no room in front and every ones slowing down well make room for me coz I'm coming throw its my right

[steve.zissou]

Originally Posted by wodahs

What's this driving at 99.5kph bullshit when its posted 100 and I was doing 110 to catch you now get out of my way so I can catch up with next vehicle and get irate at them its my right just coz I can't see/dont know or can't care why your there just get out of my way so I can over take you all and pull in front and turn slowing you all Down ..... Ph and just wait till we have to merge and I'm behind in other land and there's no room in front and every ones slowing down well make room for me coz I'm coming throw its my right

yeah, thats right. We should just dumb ourselves down to the lowest common denominator

Have you ever been to germany. Freeway driving is a dream (whether unlimited or not). Unless cars are overtaking they keep right (our left). No Agro, none of this entitlement BS. Just keep left unless your overtaking. And doing 1km/h more than the car next to you is not overtaking. Even slow cars will speed up to pass a slower car quickly and safley. Faster cars go by fast and slower drivers, well they drive slow. Slow but aware of their surroundings.

I swear, some countries must look at australia and think we are a bunch of *******. I tried explaining the mentality of Australians that dont keep left to a german once - he couldnt comprehend that people would consciously obstruct someone that wanted to go faster - his response was, why would you do that unless you just wanted to be a jerk.

He did say that occasionally you get people that dont move over initially in germany, but he thinks they are just foreigners that art aware (they soon learn). He said if you didnt move over in a 130 zone even if you were doing 140, the cops would book you and not a speeding driver that was trying to get past - this is what i also found when i was driving in germany

I had to explain to him that a vast proportion of our population gets their information from commercial TV advertisements and was unable to think for themselves or use reason in any way. They probably sit in the right lane because they think they are deputised police officers and saving babies by slowing down the guy that wants to get past.

to counter your statement, i'll provide another perspective.

1) drive 800km in Australia for typical Australian. Get in right lane at 107kmph. Move left only if some one comes up behind me (takes 30 seconds for me to register some one is trying to overtake) . Dont pay attention, dont change lanes, dont use indicator

2) drive 800km in germany for typical german. Drive at an appropriate speed usually above 130kmph. Pay attention to road and surroundings. Keep left unless over taking, and minimise time in overtaking lane. Just as safe (if not safer - and every one gets where they are going faster (if they want)


its like australians think if they use their brain to much it will wear-out so better to switch it off when driving and do as little as posible

[wodahs]

To them winging bout keeping left do you drive in the left and only get out to over take then get back in left ? If so when you catch a car in the right do you get in the left as now your not over taking or wait till they do so you can ? Well as your meant to be keeping left !

And I thought the posted speed is the highes allowed pending on conditions , and doesn't traffic in front of you going slower (for any reason) cause a change in conditions ?