Who Has Right of Way?

Contributed - Oct 1, 2004 / 5:30 am | Story: 4342

Going to the Kootenays there are a number of passing lanes going up the long hills. Question:

Who has the right of way when it comes to the end, the right lane whose lane is merging with the left lane or the left lane that will continue. In the summer there is often a bottle neck at the end and people seem unsure. My own thoughts are that the left lane has right of way as the right lane is ending and will merge with the left. What is correct?
Thanks Eric

Answer From Dear Cop:

If one lane is ending as explained in this situation, vehicles in the lane that is ending must make a safe proper lane change in such a way as not to cause a hazard. In most cases the through lane is the continuation of the passing lane. Vehicles in the passing lane have the right of way.

Constable R.A.(Richard) ASELTON
Central Okanagan Traffic Services - Media Liaison
Kelowna R.C.M.P. Detachment
E-Mail: Rick Askelton

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.

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About the Author

Tim Schewe is a retired constable with many years of traffic law enforcement experience. He has been writing his column for most of the 20 years of his service in the RCMP.

The column was 'The Beat Goes On' in Fort St. John, 'Traffic Tips' in the South Okanagan and now 'Behind the Wheel' on Vancouver Island and here on Castanet.net.

Schewe retired from the force in January of 2006, but the column has become a habit, and continues.

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