The short answer?
In British Columbia, staying in the left lane when you are not passing someone can get you a ticket. But this rule does not apply to every single street in the city.
Has it ever happened to you that while cruising down the road and enjoying the scenery, you suddenly realize you have been stuck behind a very slow driver in the left lane? It’s an annoying situation. Is this against the law in British Columbia?
The simple answer is yes. Driving in the left lane without passing anyone is a punishable offense in British Columbia.
This is all you need to know about the laws governing the use of the left lane in BC.
The Keep Right Rule
The province established an Act known as Keep Right Let Others Pass law in June 2015, which formed part of the Motor Vehicles Act.
However, the Act does not apply to all roads within the city; it is limited to highways that have at least two lanes for traveling in the same direction with a speed limit of 80 kilometers per hour or greater. If a road meets the above requirements, then it can be considered a highway under the Act. On such roads, a motorist should travel in the right lane unless there is some good reason to move to the left lane.
What Happens If You Ignore the Rule
If you are found in the left lane by the police for no valid reason, you will be required to pay the fine of 167 dollars. In addition, you will also receive three penalty points on your driving record. This means you will incur additional costs when renewing your insurance, and thus, you should just move over.
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But I Am Going the Speed Limit
This is the most frequent excuse made by people. There are many motorists who believe that if they drive exactly at the prescribed speed limit, they will be allowed to occupy the left lane.
However, according to the laws of BC, this is not the case. If there is any motorist behind you who wishes to pass you while driving at the speed limit, you are required to move to the right lane.
When You Are Allowed to Be in the Left Lane
There are certain situations where you can freely drive in the left lane. Here are several reasons why you will not receive any tickets from the police.
Firstly, passing other cars. When you want to pass a car that moves slower than you in the right lane, do so by driving in the left lane and after that return back.
Secondly, turning left. In case your exit or turn is located to the left, you have the opportunity to enter the left lane.
Thirdly, creating free space for other vehicles. When you see that cars are going to merge from the right side to the road, make a favor and shift to the left lane.
Fourthly, passing an emergency vehicle. There is a certain regulation according to which it is obligatory to shift to the left lane and give a gap to an emergency car that is situated on the right with flashing lights.
Lastly, being in a heavy traffic flow. You have the right to move in the left lane in case of a dense traffic jam and the movement speed does not exceed 50 kilometers per hour. As soon as traffic flow speeds up, you should move back to your initial lane.
What About HOV Lanes
However, if you are using an HOV lane while driving on a highway, then the left lane rule remains applicable. Here, the HOV lane cannot be counted as the left lane. Instead, the lane that adjoins the HOV lane will be regarded as the left lane, which needs to be treated as the passing lane.
The Bottom Line
Not only is driving slowly in the left lane an annoyance to others on the road, but it could also result in traffic congestion and dangerous passing on the right-hand side. By practicing the keep right policy, you are helping make our BC highways safer and more efficient for all motorists. When you are out there driving, think of looking at your mirrors and letting faster traffic get past you for an easier drive.
