Lane rules make everyone safer and faster
I have read a few reader letters about what Young Drivers of Canada has been telling its students about proper lane discipline.
It has been coaching its students to use the lane that offers up the best visibility and safety. In a way, it makes perfect sense, but it is much more complicated than that.
You do not have to be an expert to see that the majority of motorists and truckers have never been taught proper lane positioning. Or perhaps they simply don't care anymore.
This situation is quite unfortunate since most crashes and collisions on divided highways are caused by unintentional or imprudent lane changes. Better lane discipline would result in fewer lane changes and hence reduce crashes.
Perhaps it is time we reviewed correct lane usage to be sure we are all on the same page. Good lane etiquette will make traffic flow smoother, faster and, more important, safer.
LEFT LANE: Section 147 of the Highway Traffic Act states that the left lane of multi-lane roads and highways are to be kept open for passing. This simple concept on its own should keep traffic flowing much easier. When you have completed your pass, move back into the middle or right lane.
The left lane is also the more hazardous lane when you are on undivided roads and highways. It positions you much closer to approaching traffic. It only makes sense to be as far away from oncoming vehicles as possible.
In the GTA, it is almost impossible to obey this rule during rush hour as all lanes are full. As traffic speeds approach or exceed the speed limit, then the left-lane rule should be heeded.
MIDDLE LANE: On highways with more than two lanes in each direction, slower traffic should occupy the right lane and not the middle lane. The middle lane is the truck passing lane and for faster traffic when they are not passing anyone. Too many motorists and truckers plant themselves in the middle lane and the ensuing traffic chaos behind them results in vehicles passing on both sides.
Most traffic "rat packs" are caused by one vehicle travelling relatively slower in the middle lane.
Driving in the middle lane also exposes both sides of your vehicle to mistakes by other drivers and reduces your avoidance options.
Here is a simple concept. If you are being passed by vehicles on both sides, you are in the wrong lane. Move over to the right lane.
RIGHT LANE: This is the safest lane and the correct lane to be using when you are not passing. It keeps you farthest from oncoming traffic and allows you easy access to the shoulder if anything from mechanical woes or nearby crashes occur. Being in the right lane also means only one side of your vehicle is exposed to mishaps.
Some motorists and truckers do not like travelling in this lane since vehicles entering the highway use it to merge with traffic. The solution is simple. Temporarily give up the right lane when you see merging traffic ahead. Check your mirrors, signal and move into the middle or left lane to allow access to the right lane. Then return to the right lane.
The exception is in areas of high merging traffic density where there are frequent interchanges such as Hwy. 401 through the Toronto area. Using the middle lane can be more prudent in this case, unless you are travelling at a slow rate of speed.
ACCELERATION LANE: When merging onto multi-lane highways, drivers must first navigate the on-ramp, which flows immediately into the acceleration lane. After negotiating the on-ramp at anywhere from 30 to 60 km/h, the acceleration lane is provided to help drivers accelerate up to the same speed as the highway traffic in order to facilitate a safe merge.
Too many drivers are going too slowly when trying to merge with highway traffic that is travelling at 100 km/h. The principle behind the acceleration lane is for drivers to accelerate to match the speed of the vehicles on the highway before merging in with traffic, much like cogs on a gear set.
DECELERATION LANE: It is important for traffic when exiting a highway to enter the deceleration lane before slowing down. Slowing down in a "live" lane before exiting onto a deceleration can cause traffic to slow down behind the exiting vehicle in a domino effect.
LANE HOPPING: This practice is not only dangerous but it also is not very effective. Actual road tests have shown that any time gained by lane hopping is insignificant compared to the overall time of travel. The time saved is simply not worth the added risk.
How each of us use the different lanes on our highways directly affects how efficient and safe our highways are.
European drivers definitely have better lane discipline than their North American cousins and anyone who has had the pleasure of driving on German autobahns will tell you how enjoyable and safe it is compared to the haphazard driving styles here.
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