Zoom zoom
written by Claymor , November 26, 2008 (08:27:29 AM)

Maybe, but if you're not keeping up with the flow of traffic, I hope that at least you have the courtesy to stay in the right hand lane. Accelerating to get past the day-dreamers hogging the passing lane swallows up a lot of energy too, not to mention the stress of driving among people who don't know the rules of the road.

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written by SuperFlies , November 26, 2008 (11:02:36 AM)

You want something to gripe about?

I went to Seattle roughly 2 weeks ago. The price at the pump was $1.99/gallon. When converted that's .53/litre. Yes, you read correctly - only 53 cents per litre.

Who is complaining the most about high gas prices? The Americans. If they had to pay the same prices as the rest of the world, perhaps there would be no green house has issues as they would park the car and actually walk somewhere.

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written by unclesammy , November 26, 2008 (11:12:41 AM)

Any idea how much the UK pays for gas? We don't even have it that bad...

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written by lamby , November 26, 2008 (11:48:57 AM)

People won't get out of their cars and stop driving until gas prices go a lot higher than they are now. Bitching about the prices is a form of recreation for some people who have no intention of actually doing anything about it. The prices affect all of us, but least of all those who choose not to drive.

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written by bcracer , November 26, 2008 (06:35:03 PM)

y only complaint about fuel prices is we are paying more than mayn other places in BC. and it is trucked from here, or otherwise transported there, and it is sold for less. And the big one... we are paying more than Vancouver, and they have a 7 cent a liter sure tax to pay for their transit...which is here but not to near the same coverage of service ... Are we subsidizing them????

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written by Reality , November 27, 2008 (10:04:28 AM)

Claymor - I am in total agreement with you about the frustration of those who hog the left lane and block it. I can't stand it.

I do wonder though - I was taught that in town, where the speed limit is 50 or 60, it is not considered a "passing lane" and that if you are driving the speed limit, there is no reason why you should have to move over. Might be common courtesy, but I have to admit, if I am driving 60 in a 50 zone and happen to be in the left hand lane, managing to get past the driver in the right hand lane, I get mighty pissed off at the jackass tailgating me wanting me to hurry up and move over so they can get past me doing 80 or 90.
I would love some clarification about the rules of the road. Common courtesy is one thing and I agree with it, but at the same time, obnoxious aggressive drivers need to back off.

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written by unclesammy , November 27, 2008 (10:50:44 AM)

I would say the "stay in the right lane" rule applies only on the highway. In town, you're going to want to be in whatever lane you're turning from, especially in traffic congestion.

Thanks for asking
written by Claymor , November 27, 2008 (11:32:18 AM)

Under the BC Motor Vehicle Act, a "highway" includes "every road, street, lane or right of way designed or intended for or used by the general public for the passage of vehicles", so there is no distinction between streets and the open road. Under section 151(g) "if a traffic control device directs slow moving traffic to use a designated lane, (the driver) must when driving slowly drive the vehicle in that lane only". This covers passing lanes where there are "slow traffic use right lane" signs, and "slowly" means slower than the flow of traffic.

ICBCs "Rules of the Road: Road Sense for Drivers" says: "On a multi-lane highway you are best to travel in one of the right-hand lanes. This is especially important if you are driving more slowly than other vehicles or if signs direct you to keep out of the left lane. Just because you are driving at the speed limit does not mean you should continually drive in the left lane. This may cause other drivers to try to pass on the right, which may not be as safe as passing on the left."

So, the rule applies in town as well as the open road, and is a mixture of law, policy, common sense and common courtesy. There is no problem being in the left turning lane for the time it takes to make the turn. The rule is against obstructing the flow of traffic. So move over and everyone is safe and happy.

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written by Reality , November 27, 2008 (12:46:56 PM)

I only ask this because I argue with a friend of mine all the time about this, so I'd love some feedback.

So let's say the person on the right is doing 60 in a 50 and the person in the left is doing 65 and gradually making their way past the person in the right lane. Technically, both are keeping up with the flow of traffic, right? (AND both speeding) But then along comes idiot driving 70 or 80 and thinks they're king of the road. So basically, the person moving over to the right lane is demonstrating common courtesy to an ignorant ass who wants to break the law? I guess I wonder what comes first, common courtesy or the speed limit laws?

I always move over - I figure it's just safer to let people pass, especially the ones being idiots about it, but I admit, there have been times where I haven't because their actions are intented to intimidate me and that just pisses me off :-)

clarification
written by Reality , November 27, 2008 (12:47:53 PM)

Sorry - I really contradicted myself - I should have said "usually move over".

Move over
written by Claymor , November 27, 2008 (01:05:40 PM)

When the driver doing 65 passes the car doing 60, the 65 driver pulls into the right lane. When there's somebody behind you going faster, you pull over. It's not up to us to enforce the speed laws and it's far less dangerous to move over than to try to dam the flow. It's the congestion, not the speed, that causes the wrecks.

Hmmm
written by Reality , November 28, 2008 (08:04:02 AM)

I still think it's the stupidity of the drivers that cause the wrecks. I'm not arguing the whole "move on over" thing, but to blame wrecks on traffic and congestion is a bit much, in my opinion. If someone is stuck in traffic, even if they are behind someone who is driving too slow, or in the wrong lane, then that person has to re-evaluate and drive accordingly. It's like blaming traffic lights or road conditions for accidents. Perhaps a contributing factor, but the fact remains that the driver is ultimatley responsible for their driving.

No doubt
written by Claymor , November 28, 2008 (08:11:56 AM)

Yes, there is also an offence of "following too close" to prevent that sort of unacceptable conduct on the road. I don't follow your analogy but your conclusion is correct, and one of the responsibilities of a driver is to know and obey the rules of the road.