In this situation, can you continue driving in the left lane?
Show the correct answer
Correct answer
NO
Explanation
In the video, you are driving in the left lane of a dual carriageway outside town; the right lane is free, and a vehicle can be seen in the distance. You are not entitled to continue driving in the left lane when the right one is free. The answer is: no.
The Road Traffic Act requires the driver to drive as close as possible to the right-hand edge of the roadway and, if lanes are marked, to occupy only one lane. On a roadway with two lanes in one direction the right lane is for driving, and the left one is used only for overtaking; after overtaking you return to the right lane as soon as it is free and you can move into it without cutting in front of anyone. Driving in the left lane "just in case", because at some point you will overtake someone again, is a petty offence and one of the main causes of traffic jams and of dangerous overtaking on the right by impatient drivers. You drive in the left lane only when you are overtaking, when the right lane is occupied or closed, or when signs require otherwise - there is nothing like that here. After returning to the right lane you keep a safe following distance from the vehicle in front, and when overtaking, you signal every lane change.
Legal basis: Art. 16 para. 4, Art. 19 para. 2 point 3 and Art. 22 para. 4 and 5 of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym)