Don't be a drifter

Photo: Contributed - Able Stock, adapted by Jo Slade

Stay in your own lane

Part of the road near where I live has a set of winding curves on a steep grade. I seldom drive this stretch of road without encountering an oncoming vehicle partway into my lane, over the double solid yellow line. There is no reason for this that I can see, except that the other driver is either careless or incapable. The lanes are standard width and you are able to see oncoming traffic without difficulty, if you look ahead.

This tendency of drivers to straighten out the curves is highlighted by the condition of the lines before they are repainted each year. The part of the line - centre or shoulder - on the inside of the curve has in some cases been completely worn away by the tires passing over it. It is fair to say that it takes many sets of tires rolling in the wrong place to erase lane markings.

It seems pretty obvious that failing to stay between the lines is a bad habit. There is likely to be other traffic, either beside us or oncoming in the left lane. Ditto for the right lane or shoulder. Yes, the shoulder, because that is where you will find cyclists and pedestrians. In fact, if there is no shoulder, you will find cyclists and pedestrians using the edge of the roadway, and they are fully entitled to be there.

As a driver, your aim (pun intended) is to maintain a proper lane position at all times. It's implicit in our highway system, because we all share the same sheet of pavement or stretch of gravel. When we don’t stay in our lane, we risk running into each other. You are not being overly cautious by staying in your lane, you are fitting into a system in which safety dictates that we properly manage space around us to avoid collisions.

This concept applies even if there are no lines on the highway. Our Motor Vehicle Act discusses staying on your half of the roadway even before it sets out the rules for roads with lines painted on them.

You might be thinking of interrupting me at this point to suggest that it doesn't matter when no one else is around. I've had many drivers say that to me when I was asking for their autograph on a violation ticket. If no one else was around, how could I be there? My point is that if you do it right all the time, you will have a better outcome when you fail to see or allow for the presence of another road user.

So, what's the best way to confine the path of your vehicle to where it is supposed to go? That will depend on what you are driving, and how you choose reference points on your vehicle to guide you. Know your vehicle’s limits on all four sides, then keep your eyes up and look ahead. Your vehicle should follow your line of vision, and you will know it.

Don't be a drifter.

The author is a retired constable with many years of experience in traffic law enforcement. Questions or comments, email [email protected]

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