Cutting into line

arleitiss

Hi, been driving today, and on one of the traffic lights there was 2 lanes, Left going straight and left, and the right one going only right. Well as I am still learner, and it was unfamiliar road, I got confused and I thought right is good to go straight, so I stood in it, left lane was full of traffic while right was completely free, so I was driving and about half way the traffic they moved forward but there was one 206 standing quite slow, when lights switched green left lane started moving and that 206 was standing still not moving, about 20-30 metre gap appeared so I decided that's the chance to change lane, so I did it. Is it okay to do? I mean I kind of feel like in super market queue where people are standing and I just come in middle, basically overtook like 20 cars.

P.S - I find it really stupid that arrows of lanes are shown only in end of lane.

Alanstrainor

Hey these things happen. You're not going to know every junction you approach, and as you said if the marking as only visible when you drive over them then it's no surprise these mistakes happen.

As for your situation, a gap appeared and you took it. Indicate, check left mirror, and a quick check over your shoulder would be appropriate in these situations however. As you may miss cyclists or motorcyclists.

arleitiss

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Hey these things happen. You're not going to know every junction you approach, and as you said if the marking as only visible when you drive over them then it's no surprise these mistakes happen.

As for your situation, a gap appeared and you took it. Indicate, check left mirror, and a quick check over your shoulder would be appropriate in these situations however. As you may miss cyclists or motorcyclists.

Well I saw 206 standing there and big gap, so I just looked through left mirror, then indicated and moved while looking forward and checking left mirror, didn't see that anyone got pissed off really.

Alanstrainor

arleitiss wrote: »

Well I saw 206 standing there and big gap, so I just looked through left mirror, then indicated and moved while looking forward and checking left mirror, didn't see that anyone got pissed off really.

It's not about people getting pissed off, although you may encounter that:D

I'd be more inclined to take that extra 2 seconds to check over your shoulder and make sure is all clear, rather than making a jump for it.

arleitiss

Thats one of the things that annoys me the most, is that these arrows are in end of lane always

Davy

arleitiss wrote: »

P.S - I find it really stupid that arrows of lanes are shown only in end of lane.

Rule I always stick by is left lane for going straight or anything anticlockwise of it. It's really for roundabouts but I think it's a good rule to follow in general

TheBody

If you ever find yourself in the wrong lane and feel that you can't get into the correct lane in time, you can always just take the road for the lane you are in and turn back when safe to do so. It's very very important you try not to panic and potentially cause a crash. We all make mistakes sometimes, it's how we handle those mistakes that make us good or bad drivers. Good luck!!

ProudDUB

Davy wrote: »

Rule I always stick by is left lane for going straight or anything anticlockwise of it. It's really for roundabouts but I think it's a good rule to follow in general

Agree with that 100%. OP, your correct driving position should be in the left lane. It's not like being in a supermarket, where you drive in whatever lane that you feel like, or in the lane that you think is moving faster. If you are going to be turning right at at the next intersection, get into the right lane, but in general you should be in the left lane if you are going to be proceeding straight ahead for while.

On the day of your test, if you are not in the left lane, you'll get dinged for incorrect road position. If your tester tells you to turn right at the next light or intersection, get into that lane, but other wise keep left is the general rule. Are you learning with an instructor or friend/family member? This is the kind of thing that the trained professionals will clue you into.

arleitiss

ProudDUB wrote: »

Agree with that 100%. OP, your correct driving position should be in the left lane. It's not like being in a supermarket, where you drive in whatever lane that you feel like, or in the lane that you think is moving faster. If you are going to be turning right at at the next intersection, get into the right lane, but in general you should be in the left lane if you are going to be proceeding straight ahead for while.

On the day of your test, if you are not in the left lane, you'll get dinged for incorrect road position. If your tester tells you to turn right at the next light or intersection, get into that lane, but other wise keep left is the general rule. Are you learning with an instructor or friend/family member? This is the kind of thing that the trained professionals will clue you into.

Well yes I had a friend with me who has full license for past 10 years, but he didn't say where to drive, he said I can choose my own route and he wont tell me anything unless I ask (because I wanted to drive for few hours on my own with him nearby so that later he tells me what I lack of doing right)

ProudDUB

All the more reason for you to get some input from trained professionals OP. Your friend is wrong. Your don't get to "choose" your own lane. You should always be in the left lane, unless the route that you are taking dictates otherwise, such as you have a right hand turn in your immediate future, or the left lane is left turn only, and you are going straight on.

It is great that you have someone to accompany you as you drive. However, the more driving that you do with people who give you incorrect info, the more likely it is that you will develop bad habits that will be very, very to break when it comes time to do your test. Just because someone has a full DL , it does not mean that they are 100% correct on everything that is driving related. If you don't want to pay for lessons, study the RSA rules of the road manuals or their online videos. They are a treasure trove of info for newbies.

arleitiss

ProudDUB wrote: »

All the more reason for you to get some input from trained professionals OP. Your friend is wrong. Your don't get to "choose" your own lane. You should always be in the left lane, unless the route that you are taking dictates otherwise, such as you have a right hand turn in your immediate future, or the left lane is left turn only, and you are going straight on.

It is great that you have someone to accompany you as you drive. However, the more driving that you do with people who give you incorrect info, the more likely it is that you will develop bad habits that will be very, very to break when it comes time to do your test. Just because someone has a full DL , it does not mean that they are 100% correct on everything that is driving related. If you don't want to pay for lessons, study the RSA rules of the road manuals or their online videos. They are a treasure trove of info for newbies.

he didn't say I can choose any lane, he said I can choose any course and where to go and where to drive, so like he's not saying left, right etc.. I just pick myself, an i was driving by GPS which said straight and I got confused. So if I want go go straight it's always left lane?

ProudDUB

Yes. If you going straight on, you generally stay in the left lane.

A GPS system just tells you how to get from A to B. It will not instruct you on your road positioning or the rules of the road, so don't get overly reliant on them for that.

arleitiss

Oh, thanks to everyone so, at least now I will know it's left side.

ADIDriving

Note: It is a penalty point offence to disobey the lane markings; ie, going straight from a lane marked for turning or turning from a lane marked for going straight. If one gets to the end of the lane they are legally required to follow the direction of the arrow of the lane they are in.
That said, it sounds like you did a good job getting back into the correct lane nice and early, well done. The left lane is GENERALLY the correct one for going straight, not always though. Also, I agree that they arrows are often too far up on the road. You will often be commited to a lane before you see them. Especially when there is a queue of vehicles covering them.

arleitiss

Well now I will know at least, will go into left and if by any chance I appear in wrong position I will detour, gps will re-calculate route or just go around again.

gvgdhar

Hi,
Most of the members suggested keep left lane for going straight. But what happens if the lane markings ahead are reverse to OP's situation i.e left lane with only left arrow and right lane with straight arrow?

ADIDriving

Everything from my previous post still stands. Ultimately you should pay attention to where the traffic is going further ahead, to keep an eye out for this variation. It then becomes a case of following your line of traffic.

Davy

gvgdhar wrote: »

Hi,
Most of the members suggested keep left lane for going straight. But what happens if the lane markings ahead are reverse to OP's situation i.e left lane with only left arrow and right lane with straight arrow?

Just indicate and move out when you can.

I know this is different to the Op's senario, but In some cases I enter hatched markings when turning right on single lane roads. This was something that was suggested by an instructor as it gets the truck clear of the roadway to allow other traffic to move freely. I wouldn't cut straight into it, follow the roadway left so vehicles behind know the road moves left and then move in early to allow time to get the body in and clear of the lane to my left. I know by the letter of the rules this isn't correct but certain scenarios it works imo