Q&A - Another Take On Failing To Keep Right

Question: I know that you are supposed to keep right and let other drivers pass, but I have a winter driving situation that I am curious about. Let me explain:

You're driving from Kelowna to Vancouver on the Okanagan Connector. There are two lanes for your direction of travel. The fast lane seems to be pretty clean with bare pavement. The slow lane is covered in snow and doesn't look safe. You have winter tires and everything, but bare pavement always beats compact snow.

You are driving in the left lane (fast lane). There's another vehicle gaining on you from behind. Do you:

• Pull into the right lane to let them pass although the compact snow doesn't look so safe at that speed.
• Ignore them and let them pass on the right since they obviously feel more confident.

In my mind, if the highway has two lanes but one of them is covered in snow and ice, it might as well be a one lane highway - which means no passing should be happening until conditions improve - and therefore the slower driver should stay in the left lane cruising at whatever speed they feel comfortable, and the person behind should make peace with that.

What's your take on this?

The Requirement to Keep Right

There are now two sections of the Motor Vehicle Act that govern slower traffic using the left lane. The first and oldest is section 150:

Driver on right

150 (2) The driver of a vehicle proceeding at less than normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing must drive the vehicle in the right hand lane then available for traffic, or as closely as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing a vehicle proceeding in the same direction, or when preparing for a left hand turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

The second is section 151.1 and it says in part:

(3) A driver of a vehicle in the leftmost lane must exit the lane on the approach of another vehicle in that lane, if it is safe to do so, except when

Is It Impractical or Unsafe to Keep Right?

If you are travelling less than the normal speed of traffic and it is practical and safe to do so, you need to use the right hand lane or drive as closely to the curb. So, if it is impractical or unsafe to use the right lane, or the other vehicle is an oddity rather than travelling at the "normal" speed of surrounding traffic, you are not required to move right.

Danger From Being Passed on the Right

The vehicle you describe may pass you on the right. If that happens, you have no control and if he makes a bad decision could involve you in a collision.

If you choose to be inconvenienced, you may be able to safely slow down and move right briefly, letting him carry on. In this fashion you maintain control and have greater influence over your own safety.

Sometimes the decision is not an easy one and I can certainly understand why you would opt for dry pavement over what you perceive as being unsafe.

Share This Article