I feel it’s part of my job now to watch the endless stream of videos posted on social media around bad drivers. The incidents can range from the trivial to the unbelievable.
But there’s one particular driving activity that never fails to spark outrage in many drivers — camping in the left hand or fast lane.
A disproportionate number of these road rage video incidents, and the resulting mayhem which often follows, occurs either because a driver refuses to move into slower travel lanes or because someone retaliates against a driver who refuses to move into the slow lanes by doing things like “brake checking” the slower vehicle.
Let’s remind ourselves about the law in sa国际传媒 around this. Since 2015 if you’re on a highway with two or more lanes and the speed limit is 80 km/h or greater you can’t travel in the left lane unless you are overtaking and passing another vehicle, moving left to allow others to merge, preparing to make a left hand turn or moving over as required to allow room for emergency and/or maintenance vehicles when their lights are flashing.
It’s actually pretty straightforward. So why do people ignore the rules? The first and most obvious answer is: they ignore the rule. They know what to do but they choose not to do it.
Then there are those who missed the memo and don’t know those rules which have existed now for nearly 10 years. How those “Keep Right Except to Pass” signs, which dot all major highways in sa国际传媒, don’t assist with the proper awareness is a modern mystery.
Then we delve into more psychological reasons around left lane occupancy. First up is the highway hall monitor. These are the self-appointed stewards of safety who will stand firm in the left lane to ensure that speeders are kept in check. The sign says: “80 Km/h” and the rest of you are going to do it.
Next there is the entitled speeder. Wherever I’m going, I need to be there faster than you (because I am safe at whatever speed I go), and I have given myself a permanent pass to occupy that left lane. If everyone moves out of my way, the world is perfect.
Finally, there is the ultra safety driver. I am allowed to be in the left lane according to the law because I am turning left. The problem is your left turn is at least another 5 to 10 kms further down the highway.
Legitimate questions then arise. The speed limit applies to all lanes of travel, including the left lane, are left lane demons allowed to speed? No they are not. But we have to live in the actual world. There’s always someone who will want to go faster than you. It’s better to get out of their way and let them suffer the potential consequences.
If you feel the driving is significantly reckless, make note of the licence plate and the time then make a police report.
What about when I’m legitimately passing slower vehicles in the right lane and the person behind me in the left lane is being aggressive and trying to get me out of the way? Basically, it’s the same answer as above. Move out of their way.
They are the ones committing offences such as: driving without reasonable consideration, following too closely and speeding. But whatever they’re doing, you want to avoid a road rage scenario. If they are driving in that manner, forcing you off the road or getting into a physical altercation isn’t probably that big of a next step for them. This type of behaviour will catch up with them.
Finally there’s the packed highway scenario. All lanes of travel are jammed solid and although traffic is moving, no one is going anywhere in a hurry.
Why bother moving over then? That’s a fair point because avoiding sudden lane changes in heavy traffic is a good thing. It’s important to remember though that one of the highest causes of crashes is drivers following too closely.
We’ve all seen those rear ender crashes pulled over along the sides of busy roadways. Most of those crashes happen at relatively slow speeds. So even though you may be the victim of a rear end crash, who needs the hassle? Allowing space for the more aggressive amongst us, by letting them have the left lane, is the safer option.
Safe driving includes a mindset of reducing the chances of collision for all drivers on the road, not just you. Occupying the left lane as just another lane of travel often forces more aggressive drivers to weave through traffic, increasing risks for everyone. Let’s keep the left lane open.
