[NSW] Who Has The Right Way When Presented with This Highway Scenario?

tempura on 10/01/2020 - 09:41
Last edited 10/01/2020 - 10:06

When two cars are driving parallel in the outside lanes of a three-lane motorway, who has priority to move to the middle first?

Few days ago I was presented in this exact situation; picture a 3 lanes motorway; empty; 110 speed limit; left lane 1 car, central lane empty, right lane 1 car.

I was in the overtaking lane (far right) and got this car tailgating me, wanting me to get the {profanity} out of my way. I did notice there's a car on the slow lane (far left) driving almost at the same speed as me (so we're talking about 110 km/h). I activated by blinker signalling left and waited because my gut feel is the car on the left lane about to go to the central lane .. so after a sec or two … nothing .. so i went to the central lane … AND yes as expected, the car on the left lane also went to the central lane. it almost happened … but luckily it didn't …

so what's the go here? who's at fault?

EDIT Update your post to say you were just overtaking a car in the middle lane. Otherwise, you will get blasted in 3.2.1..*

and the car from the left lane wanted to overtake a car in front of him by going to the central lane … i noticed this hence my hesitation; just a matter on timing so i waited and waited … then the moment i decided, the left lane car also decided .. so both of us went …

Automotive

Comments

  • lint on 10/01/2020 - 23:14

    When I want to change into a lane and I can see another car looks like they may want to do the same thing - travelling at a similar speed and overtaking the vehicle in the lane between us, I will put on my indicators but wait an extra few seconds than normal to see if they'll put on their lights or make a manoeuvre. If they see I have my indicators on, they'll wait for me to merge, otherwise I just play it safe and let them do it first, and either merge in front or behind them afterwards.

    Just play it safe and you should be good the vast majority of the time in these sorts of circumstances, and in the few scenarios you both still merge at the same time, keep your eyes open and be prepared to abort.

  • kaleidoscope on 11/01/2020 - 00:36

    Yes it happens. I don’t recall there is a rule set in stone for this scenario but rather whoever starts to make the move first should be given right of way. It’s dangerous at times as I’ve seen people changing from lande 1 to 3 or even 4 in one go.

    Take caution, give extra few seconds indicating and then make the move. 👌

  • MagicOZ on 11/01/2020 - 04:28
    +1

    Here is advice, don't get in dangerous situations just because someone is in a hurry. If you have being doing the max allowed limit already, there is nothing else you can do to help not pissing the other drivers. If I was in your situation I will get to the middle slower if the is risk somebody to overtake it at the same time, give yourself space to return to the original lane.

  • anglais on 11/01/2020 - 08:27

    No law here. Just opinion. Move on.

    • tempura on 11/01/2020 - 08:34

      okaaaay …..

  • OzzyOzbourne on 11/01/2020 - 09:21

    I see this scenario here more than anywhere else I've driven in the world, for 2 reasons;

    1. People change lane for no apparent reason and change lanes often. Ie. In this scenario I would see the car on the left change to the middle lane even if there's nothing in the left lane and no on ramp for miles. It boggles my mind why people change lanes so much.

    2. Strict enforcement and adhesion to the speed limits. The safest way would be to get ahead of the car in the far left lane then move back to the middle, so even if it did change lanes, you'd be ahead of it. But… Heaven forbid anyone should go 1k over the limit, so we have this situation. On my motorbike, I do this because I choose a fine over death. I pull ahead and move over when I'm not parallel to any other car because 99% they are gonna change lanes for no reason

    • whooah1979 on 11/01/2020 - 10:00

      It boggles my mind why people change lanes so much.
      On my motorbike,

      We see that everyday on Sydney roads. Riders zipping in and out of lanes because they can.

      • OzzyOzbourne on 11/01/2020 - 10:17

        How is that related to what I wrote?

        • whooah1979 on 11/01/2020 - 10:22

          We agree with you that motorists change lanes for no reason.

  • bmerigan on 11/01/2020 - 09:37

    Best thing to do is not change lanes directly beside another car which you expect may also change lanes.
    Easiest thing to do is speed up a bit, get in front, then move left. An extra 5 km/h for 15 seconds is not going to get you a ticket. If you were in the left lane I'd say slow down a bit instead.

    • crazyboy on 11/01/2020 - 10:28

      Yes but a lot of people are already an extra 3-4 km/h over the limit. So we gotta go at least 9-10 km/h over the limit.

  • OzHunterNSW on 11/01/2020 - 10:07
    -1

    The vehicle on the far outer (curb) lane must yield to all other vehicles

  • backpaqer on 11/01/2020 - 10:24

    Why has no-one asked for MSPaint diagram yet?

  • crazyboy on 11/01/2020 - 10:28

    It happened to me once and I was merging from left to middle and another guy from right to middle. It was a 110 motorway and were almost about to collide, he was a few milliseconds ahead of me and luckily collision didn't happen. Since then whenever I am in this situation, I will also look at the car indicators of third lane either on my far left or far right, in case they are also looking for lane change. I found this situation occurs every once in a while.

    Another way is to drive faster than others on the motorway while overtaking and then return to normal speed.

  • lvagg59 on 11/01/2020 - 11:38
    +1

    Rule of thumb is to never change lanes on a 3 or multi lane road when there is a car parallel to you with a lane between. Move up or back off to change lanes safely, this is the rule I live by as it is my greatest fear.

  • No ONE on 11/01/2020 - 12:45
    +3

    Ms paint

    • No ONE on 11/01/2020 - 16:42

      2.0

      • tempura on 11/01/2020 - 16:50

        this is perfect

  • groot on 11/01/2020 - 13:56

    Driving is all about patience. If your gut feeling says then you must listen to it.
    It not always right of the way.. rather it should be about your and others safety on the road. In such cases none can be blamed.
    As said .. "change lane when it is safe to do so".
    Just be vigilant and conscious while driving.

  • Plug on 11/01/2020 - 14:37

    Car in lane 1 is at fault for not giving way to a vehicle on his right. Car in lane 3 shouldn't have been there in the first place as lane 2 was empty.

    • whooah1979 on 11/01/2020 - 14:41

      Car in lane 1 is at fault for not giving way to a vehicle on his right

      Give way is give way. Being in the right or left lane makes no difference.

  • leiiv on 11/01/2020 - 15:01

    I would say whoever make the move first. I think the issue here is because both sides hesitate. If you don’t hesitate, the other driver will avoid changing lane as it is already unsafe. And you can always move in gradually (instead of abruptly) to be on the safe side.

  • deme on 11/01/2020 - 16:35

    Thanks OP for being a safe driver

  • love2buy on 12/01/2020 - 03:28

    I always drive in the middle lane to avoid such situations.

  • Kranbone on 12/01/2020 - 04:04

    If you both make contact on each other's sides, equal blame is usually proportioned as both drivers are expected check before turning.

  • Blitz001 on 12/01/2020 - 07:40

    I always slow down until I’m not parallel to anyone.

  • Okayy on 12/01/2020 - 10:25
    -1

    all but tempura

  • krisspy on 12/01/2020 - 10:48

    Both have equal rights imo, whoever gets in the lane first. When I'm side by side with other people and want to merge next to them, I always have the mentality that people on the road are stupid. I'd speed up until I'm in front and then merge.

  • Lv80 on 12/01/2020 - 10:53

    Technically you shouldn't be in the far right unless overtaking…so realistically you will be going (much) faster than any car on the left of you. So whomever is in front is in the right. Granted in the very very rare situation you are both going the very same speed, would make the person indicating first as you should be giving way to someone you know has indicated they are changing lanes. Failing that and you are going the same speed, both indicated at the same time, and both moved at the same time, I'd say the person on the right has right of way…BUT….both are probably at fault in a collision as you should be aware of whats in your path when changing lanes.

    Happens a lot on dual lane roads under80kmh where you don't have to move left if not overtaking…and its really just whomever sees the issue about to occur first that usually submits to remaining in their lane.

    So not so much a matter of who is wrong or right but just whom doesn't want to be an arse and feel entitled that will be considerate of the other car.

  • Ozie on 12/01/2020 - 10:59

    Ok
    Rule no. 1 : keep left unless overtaking. Since you said that you were in the right lane with middle lane empty.

    Rule no. 2: where is the obligatory MS paint?

    Cheers

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