Thread: The keep left unless overtaking - regulations

The rules regarding traveling in the right lane, see many hogs everyday thinking they have the right to sit in the right lane. Many argue that it is acceptable



Traffic and Highway Patrol Command - NSW Police Force1 hr ?
There appears to be confusion over the 'Keep left unless overtaking" rule.
You must not drive in the right lane on a multi laned road where the speed limit is OVER 80km/h OR there are signs "Keep Left Unless Overtaking".
The two most often confused aspects:
1. It is permissible to drive in the middle lane of a three lane road while not overtaking.
2. The rule does not apply to 80km/h areas (unless sign posted AUSTRALIAN ROAD RULES - REG 130

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.

Originally Posted by 87County

Ah... the world is full of rule keepers and rule readers, it seems like common sense is lacking.

The road sealings on the left hand lane on steep N E Highway overtaking lanes are frequently broken/corrugated/potholed/patched due to misuse by drivers of overloaded trucks.

Most motor car drivers therefore take the opportunity to drive in the overtaking lane if no one is behind them (not being hogs).

.... just sayin'

Just saying
And that justifies breaking the law also not using common courtesy but really what a load of rubbish as a excuse