In Australia, one of the most misinterpreted road rules is the instruction given to drivers to ‘keep left unless overtaking.’ This is limited to particular road conditions i.e., it is applicable to certain traffic lanes on roads and multicellular highways to facilitate the orderly movement of vehicles and relieve congestion. Its misuse makes all or some of the drivers annoyed and sometimes embarrassed or fined. This is the misuse of the rule and confusion of it or both.
In What Circumstance Does The Rule Apply
The rule applies to roads that have a speed limit of ninety kilometers per hour or greater. On these roads, all vehicles must remain in the left lane unless ‘over’ a right turn, or a legal U-turn. The principle is that the right hand lane is used for vehicles traveling in a faster lane of traffic, which is critical for very busy highways.
Exceptions To The Rule
In the case of the right lane rule exceptions, the most common is if the left lanes are heavily congested, road signs indicate a right-hand turn, or the right-hand turn is necessary to clear slower-moving vehicles. In these cases, the speed limit is lower, and the rule is not as strictly enforced. Instead, most police officers still uphold that motorists, when possible, should ‘Keep Left’ to avoid unnecessary obstruction of the lanes.
Failing to comply with the “keep left unless overtaking” rule can result in fining, as well as accruing demerit points. The right lane staying offence might cost $144 & 2 demerit points to drivers in NSW, although fines change slightly betwee states. The core idea remains the same: remaining in the right lane indefinitely for the purpose of further passing is an offence.
Why the Rule Exists
The ratio of the right lane being the fastest lane is speed over distance/some arbitrary rate. Expert drivers in the right lane should not have to quarter or weave if they are blocked, kept, or are blocked by stoppers or slower vehicles. Left of the lane is for left turns, which is to straight or regular overtake lane, and lane changing.
Public Awareness and Compliance Problems
Despite knowing about this and other problems with respect to right cut-driving, many, if not most, drivers still pretend right lanes are cruising lanes and cause buildup. Road safety research states few or no evidence supports greater knowledge and understanding about the subject. Road safety, enforcement action, and greater knowledge should work to improve understanding.
Other state and territory authorities in Australia keep stressing and reiterating the importance of the rule. Keeping in mind the law, they are asked to only left with lane changes, which is to say maintain lane order at all times. If no more than this is kept, the driver pays not only fines but also aids drivers and other road users in riskier and more ineffective use of roads.