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

[Quasi]

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.

Yes it would, but the broken white line at the merge point would also indicate that the merging traffic has to 'GIVE WAY', not race the oncoming traffic already there.

[RG]

Originally Posted by Quasi

Yes it would, but the broken white line at the merge point would also indicate that the merging traffic has to 'GIVE WAY', not race the oncoming traffic already there.

Actually I believe the law regarding meging traffic is a one for one basis. You must allow traffic to merge. There is no give way sign.

[Quasi]

Yes, but there's a difference between allowing traffic to merge and needing to avoid being hit by them because you happen to be travelling in the left lane.......like you are suppose to be.

A car coming down an 'On Ramp' does not need to speed up to squeeze in front of oncoming left lane traffic, this is where the problem is. Generally speaking, drivers seem unable to fight the stupid compulsion to race the vehicle already there, rather than to merge in a safe fashion. At the same time, there are plenty of 'I was here first' drivers who see oncoming merge traffic and decide that they MUST race the merging vehicles.

It doesn't really matter about the opinions posted here, or what the technical legalities are. The simple fact is that unless drivers are willing to keep thier brain switched on, and drive in a sensible, and safe, manner the road rules don't mean crap......and it will always be the other driver's fault.

[RG]

Originally Posted by Quasi

It doesn't really matter about the opinions posted here, or what the technical legalities are. The simple fact is that unless drivers are willing to keep thier brain switched on, and drive in a sensible, and safe, manner the road rules don't mean crap......and it will always be the other driver's fault.

Exactly, try living in Ballarat. Apparently up here right hand turns from left hand lanes are legal and normal. Slightly OT but how many people here are aware of the rules when a set of traffic lights isn't working?

[Quasi]

Originally Posted by RedXR347

Exactly, try living in Ballarat. Apparently up here right hand turns from left hand lanes are legal and normal. Slightly OT but how many people here are aware of the rules when a set of traffic lights isn't working?

We get that in Canberra too mate. We also have a city full of people who have no friggin' clue how to use a roundabout.

That's where the 'Left Lane' rules really take on a new dimension altogether

[bob^]

A car moving across to let a few cars get in will cut congestion. I'm not saying you must move, but if the middle lane is free, why not just move across to let someone in?
I don't have to stop to let some poor bastard out from a side road. He has a give way sign. But if there is a chance to do it, I'll do it.
Or is it too hard to be courteous?

[aussiblue]

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.

Yes sort of but the issue in WA is that parts of our Freeway have 80 km/hr limits (essentially the same bits that have right hand lane exits). Similarly we have highway style freeways (Roe, Tonkin etc) and (even parts of our freeways used to have) traffic lights with 80 km zones that allow right hand lane turns and subsequently a need for some slower traffic to get into the right lane before they exit right or enter the 80 km/hr zone.

[cuz]

[QUOTE=Quasi]

A car coming down an 'On Ramp' does not need to speed up to squeeze in front of oncoming left lane traffic, this is where the problem is. Generally speaking, drivers seem unable to fight the stupid compulsion to race the vehicle already there, rather than to merge in a safe fashion. At the same time, there are plenty of 'I was here first' drivers who see oncoming merge traffic and decide that they MUST race the merging vehicles.

[QUOTE]

True, but what about the drivers that slow down on a on-ramp so they can wait for someone to let them merge. I thought that you were supposed to accelerate to the same speed as the traffic, which makes merging easier.