In this situation, is it permissible to continue driving in the left lane if the right lane is free?
Show the correct answer
Correct answer
NO
Explanation
In the video you are driving in the left lane of a street in a town with two lanes in your direction; the right lane is free, on the right there is sign B-33 "40", and a car is driving in front of you. You are not allowed to continue in the left lane if the right lane is free. The answer is: no.
The Road Traffic Act requires a driver to keep as close as possible to the right edge of the roadway and, if lanes are marked, to use only one lane. On a roadway with two lanes in one direction, the right lane is the lane for driving, and the left lane is for overtaking, passing stationary vehicles or obstacles and getting ready to turn left; when the right lane is free and you are not overtaking anyone or turning, you should return to it. Driving in the left lane "just in case" blocks those who want to overtake and encourages overtaking on the right. You change lanes as usual: mirror, right indicator, blind spot, move over smoothly, switch off the indicator. The exceptions are roads where signs or the traffic layout provide otherwise, and a situation when the right lane is occupied or closed - here there is nothing like that.
Legal basis: Art. 16 para. 4 and Art. 22 para. 4 and 5 of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym)