Constant lane changing in heavy traffic a big cause of freeway crashes: VicRoads

[Bill M]

How to discourage it?

VicRoads has studied the correlation between crashes and lane-changing behaviour on Melbourne's busiest freeway, the Monash.

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/co...08-gtnpni.html

[commodorenutt]

You won't stop the idiots who just have to be 1 car space ahead, at any cost.

It needs a wholesale change of attitude towards driving, and other drivers, leaving the selfishness & arrogance at home. That's why it will never happen.

[Franco Cozzo]

Poor lane discipline, the problem is its a 4 lane freeway and you get a bunch of douches driving slow in three of the 4 lanes creating a rolling roadblock.

So people chop and change lanes to get around them.

Not only that but a big section of it is 80km/h, they widened it and dropped the speed limit from 100 to 80, whats the point?

I'm aware in peak times you won't get close to 80 but in non peak times its a PITFA.

Then they want to reduce the speed limit on the Tullamarine Freeway to 80km/h after the widening is complete? Why bother widening it then? Just leave it as it is and leave it to 100km/h.

[kcodezd]

You can't get a speeding ticket if your only doing 85kph in a 100 zone, but if it's a 80 zone. Thanks for the revenue.

[foxtrot3]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Poor lane discipline, the problem is its a 4 lane freeway and you get a bunch of douches driving slow in three of the 4 lanes creating a rolling roadblock.

So people chop and change lanes to get around them.

Not only that but a big section of it is 80km/h, they widened it and dropped the speed limit from 100 to 80, whats the point?

I'm aware in peak times you won't get close to 80 but in non peak times its a PITFA.

Then they want to reduce the speed limit on the Tullamarine Freeway to 80km/h after the widening is complete? Why bother widening it then? Just leave it as it is and leave it to 100km/h.

Hi. Most of it is 100 kph (for cars), always been 80k from high st overpass but that has become a variable speed limit to yarra bend exit inbound and from yarra bend on ramp to high st. Problem spots at the moment are inbound to and outbound from eastlink with a lot of 80k sections for roadworks and both directions between Jacksons rd and Huntingdale rd where trucks are limited to 90k but have no lane restrictions placed on them (WTF were vicroads thinking), because of this you now get trucks that that do any speed between 110k (I,m not really a truck) down to 70k (older big rigs that start at 90k but have fallen out of the peak torque band on some of the climbs). Now add in people on phones or dont know what exit the want or wont drive over 80k because their eyeballs will explode along with cars that seem to do 95 ks every where (because the speedo says 100) and people who are on the road all the time who use a GPS to track their speed (and sit on 99 to 101 ks) and tell me that you dont need to change lanes just to get anywhere. Cheers MD

[Trump]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Poor lane discipline, the problem is its a 4 lane freeway and you get a bunch of douches driving slow in three of the 4 lanes creating a rolling roadblock.

So people chop and change lanes to get around them.

Not only that but a big section of it is 80km/h, they widened it and dropped the speed limit from 100 to 80, whats the point?

I'm aware in peak times you won't get close to 80 but in non peak times its a PITFA.

Then they want to reduce the speed limit on the Tullamarine Freeway to 80km/h after the widening is complete? Why bother widening it then? Just leave it as it is and leave it to 100km/h.

This.

The only way to stop this behaviour is to put tasers in all Toyota products. It will zap the driver if he drops below the posted limit in all lanes bar the right; if he somehow finds himself in the right lane, instant zap regardless of speed until they move back into the other lanes

[Ansimp]

Increase the speed limits Vic roads and police keeping left more, then there would be no need to constantly change lanes!
Actually all states could benefit from this......

[Pedro]

Originally Posted by Ansimp

Increase the speed limits Vic roads and police keeping left more, then there would be no need to constantly change lanes!
Actually all states could benefit from this......

There are very large signs on multi lane roads in Qld advising "KEEP LEFT UNLESS OVERTAKING" yet the majority of empty heads drive in the far right lane ... I've observed Police cars doing this, so what hope is there?

[Silver Ghia]

A big reason for drivers changing lanes frequently, is due to the left lanes opening up then closing all the time, especially at freeway exits/entrances. Try staying in the left lane, its near impossible with all the traffic continually changing lanes in front and behind you, and the lanes finishing all the time. Anyone entering the freeway has to change across at least one or two lanes before there is some traffic flow. This mayhem encourages drivers to stay in the right lanes.

Ever driven on a British motorway? When entering, the lane you're in continues on so there is no reason to change lanes. Its the rightmost lane that closes further up, so the rightmost lane traffic needs to change lanes. Makes for much safer safer entries / exits of motorways, and encourages drivers to stay in the left lanes.

[XWGT]

Its because "Keep Left unless Overtaking" is considered optional in this country and NEVER enforced by police. People now actively use the inside lane as an undertaking lane. Do this in Europe and you will be dragged out of your car through the windscreen. And thats before the cops get to you.
Our driving attitudes are appalling and our skill base seems to be dropping rapidly.
Watching people trying to enter and merge cleanly on a freeway these days is like watching a penguin try and find its knees............bloody painful.

[Bill M]

While in the US recently they appeared to have better lane discipline than we have here. From my observations on Melbourne freeways driving has become more impulsive, see a space and grab it regardless no matter what lane you are in.

There are more multiple car pileups now than there ever used to be due to this cluster *$#@ driving style. Throw in more in car distractions to the mix as well.

I don't buy the line that it is beyond changing, if there is the political will and bipartisan support then you can establish change in attitude with a long term educational campaign coupled with a big penalty stick that is strictly enforced.

Safe travels,
Bill.

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by XWGT

People now actively use the inside lane as an undertaking lane.

I don't think there's anything wrong with "undertaking", personally. I'm aware it's illegal in most of the rest of the world, but the way I see it, if people are slow, I'm going to get around them any which way I can.

If people are paying attention to their surroundings, it wouldn't be a problem.

[XWGT]

Originally Posted by NX74205

I don't think there's anything wrong with "undertaking", personally. I'm aware it's illegal in most of the rest of the world, but the way I see it, if people are slow, I'm going to get around them any which way I can.

If people are paying attention to their surroundings, it wouldn't be a problem.

The problem is you are in the biggest blind spot of the vehicle in front of you and behaving in an unexpected manner so your amping the risk factors right up.
The reason we use rules and regulations is to try and create some certainty around how people act and react. So when you do something that is not expected and illegal your simply increase the risk of an accident markedly. Its like going through a stop sign. It will work for awhile but eventually someone will not register your unexpected behavior in time and clean you up.

[simon varley]

passing on the left is legal in Victoria if it is in a marked lane

[XWGT]

Originally Posted by simon varley

passing on the left is legal in Victoria if it is in a marked lane

Are you sure of that? If that is so why do we have the keep left unless overtaking rule?

[Adamz Ghia]

Given how many people do 5k under in the right lane it's hard not to undertake them.

[DJR-351]

Originally Posted by XWGT

Are you sure of that? If that is so why do we have the keep left unless overtaking rule?

Apparently so.....

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/v...9208/s141.html

ROAD SAFETY ROAD RULES 2009 - REG 141
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; or

(c) the vehicle is stationary and it is safe to overtake to the left of the vehicle.

Penalty: 5 penalty units.

[NTF6]

Must work in other countries, I saw a video the other day of some guys on road bikes flying in between cars on a freeway for about 10ks and not one car changed lanes. The cars would have been doing about 100 kph and the guys on the bikes well over 200kph, they obviously had the confidence in the fact the cars weren't going to change lanes to be flying between cars at that speed.

[FG50T]

I was recently in a car with someone on a freeway and asked him why he was sitting on 85. His words were, "I find it comfortable" totally oblivious to people frantically trying to get around him. All the while I know his VW speedo is about 7-8kms out. So he's really doing <80kmh in a 100 zone.

It's so rare for people to get out of the right lane for you unless you sit on their *** for a few kms, it's a joke and inconsiderate. In Europe if theres someone going faster than you, simply let them pass and don't make them brake. Whether they're going the limit, 10, 20 or 30kmh over. Move and let them pass, then move back if you want. We are selfish here.

[LTDHO]

Why does it always seem like VicRoads are stating the obvious?

Constant lane changing is a big cause of freeway crashes, so we will close the Monash down and add another lane, that will fix it! Morons!

[Insert my usual rant here]Driver education is the only way to decrease crashes, injuries and fatalities. Not 'Safety Cameras' and not the current ad campaigns. Time they spent some of the easily earned money they have been collecting for years and actually putting it towards road safety.[/end rant]

[Whitey-AMG]

Driver education only works on people who have the aptitude to be educated and appreciate the benefits of wisdom from a wider and better educated audience.
Sadly, this trait and willingness goes awol as soon as most people sit in a car and fire up the engine.....after that , it's everyone else that's wrong........
Most people continue to think that driving is a right and not a privilege and just don't want to be "educated ". They know everything.

[Maka]

No brainer, I agree, every new Australian should be mandated to complete a prescribed driving course before being let loose on all Australian roads. Include the next at risk demographic, maybe seniors & young people then repeat offenders etc.

The operating word is "at risk drivers" drivers who are at risk of causing road accidents through ignorance or inattention etc

cheers, Maka

[CyberWasp]

How about we build Freeways right now, to cope with the projected number of cars in 50 years time, instead of having freeways that were designed to cope with the number of cars from 50 years ago.

[tut0r]

Everytime I jump on the fwy I head straight to the right lane, if its quiet I sit one over from the right, but outbound eastern fwy is a nightmare when you get to Bulleen and Doncaster road. You're actually feel safer being on the far right due to the cluster **** of the amount of entering traffic.

I usually always move over for people if they are some how going faster than me, if almost had accidents sometimes overtaking with some d bag up my ***, as I go to move over to let them past they fly into the left lane to pass me......**** son give me 5 seconds to overtake and move over and you can go past....

I learned first hand driving the great ocean road sucks.....Multiple signs saying, pull over for quicker cars, multiple spots designated JUST for it. Stuck behind NSW plated corolla doing 40kms in an 80 to 100 zone.......

Its funny you know which type of cars seemed to pull over to let us pass if we wanted? The sportier or bigger engine cars....SS's, porsche, FPVS......The cars that refused......Most toyota's...... and family SUVs........

[MercurySilver]

People can't use a ******* roundabout properly and need to come to a complete stop, we've got no chance of trying to change attitudes about changing lanes and keeping left etc

"You do realize it's a 100kmh limit, that means I can go any speed up to 100kmh and change lanes and sit where I like as that's only a recommended sign"

"Oh you're one of those people that represents 2% of the population that likes to dictate what speed I can do?"

[cs123]

Originally Posted by Pedro

There are very large signs on multi lane roads in Qld advising "KEEP LEFT UNLESS OVERTAKING" yet the majority of empty heads drive in the far right lane ... I've observed Police cars doing this, so what hope is there?

I find this very noticeable on M1 Bris to GC but not nearly as much of an issue on the M1 north of the river. Most of the time people do the right thing.

[vbvbvb088]

I have driven for years...since 1986. On freeways etc i Keep a big distance between me and car in front. Not rocket science.

[mik]

Yep been saying it for years , its not rocket science , you want to discourage bad driving habits ....... dont just leave it to cameras , put more coppers on the road and make them pull people up that are driving like scum bags .
the things that these dummies in power dont get is ........... you can still drive like nob without breaking the speed limit , and cameras do nothing to discourage that behavior.

[danzvtil]

Education only works if you are then held to account and actually pulled over for doing something wrong. I was stuck on the south eastern freeway behind a Ford Escape doing 80kph in the right hand lane of a 3 lane road, a copper bike jammed himself up against my rear bumper and flashed his headlight for about 5 Kays before turning on his red and blues, we both moved over out of his way, and he never did stop the escape, just kept going.

[Yellow_Festiva]

How's this for an idea... get the coppers out from behind the shrubs on the freeways and actually on the roads??? Totally blitz the 'keep left unless overtaking' rule to death.

I do a shed load of freeway driving each week, I'm sick to death of the same bloody cars day in and day out driving along at the limit or just below on the far right lane thinking 'I'm doing the right thing by sticking to the limit, anyone who wants to pass me can go around me and speed, therefore, they are doing the wrong thing and I must be correct!'

Just last week on the M5 - whole family in a car, doing 95 in the right lane, watched car after car, truck, bus you name it bear down on them, flash, horn, tailgate.. the works. Think they would move?? Not a chance... just kept going on his merry way and pretended like he was the only one on the road.... went on for several km because I was in the far left lane towing a full trailer.

Totally and utterly smash them with fines till they fricken get the fact that if you are not passing another car then get the hell out of the right lanes....

The agro these people cause to others is what causes accidents....