Dear. Sgt. DeVries
I like your column and my daughter and I read it religiously each time that it is in the paper. We always find the information about the driving laws helpful, and most often it's something that we never knew about.
My daughter and I came upon a tragic accident at a pinch point where the passing lane ends and the two lanes merge. The young man was trying to overtake a big truck and did not make it. So sad for the family.
I know you cannot speak about this event, but who has the right of way when two lanes pinch? The car that is passing or the car that is being passed?
I have also have a related question about merging onto a highway.
Who has the right of way? The car trying to enter the highway or the car on the highway?
My daughter likes to get over into the other lane to allow the driver to get onto the highway, and she gets a bit annoyed when others will not let her on.
Rose Redford
Vancouver
Dear Ms. Redford (and daughter):
Thank you for your questions.
As with so many situations on the road, preventing collisions often requires the kind of driving that anticipates problems. When a collision occurs, everyone always wants to know who was at fault, yet by then, it doesn't really matter, especially when someone gets hurt. More often than not, both drivers can be seen to have contributed something to the circumstances that led to the accident.
Your examples offer good scenarios in which to demonstrate this principle. When you are travelling in a lane that is ending, (these are usually marked with a sign that shows the lane structure ending and a distance marker), it is your responsibility to merge safely into the flowing lane of traffic. You are required, if necessary, to stop and wait until it is safe to do so.
Of course, drivers already in the flowing lane are expected to be courteous, and to provide you with an opportunity to enter the flow of traffic. However, we all know that depending on that courtesy, especially in the Lower Mainland, can be an exercise in futility. Still, you must ensure the movement can be done safely before moving.
Merging onto a freeway is slightly different. Freeway entrance ramps are divided into three sections: the ramp, the acceleration area, and the merging area. When entering the ramp, there is often a good opportunity to scan the freeway to see if there are any imminent gaps. Drivers must use the acceleration area to match speed with the traffic already on the freeway. Once they reach the merge portion of the ramp, where the line becomes broken, they must safely enter traffic.
Your daughter does exactly what is recommended when on the freeway. Moving into the left lane, thereby freeing the right lane for cars entering the freeway, is the correct, courteous, and thus safe thing to do. We all know how irritating it can be when drivers do not do this.
As with so many rules of the road, patience and consideration must govern our decision making. Aggressive drivers cause accidents; that fact can not be disputed. If you and your daughter continue to show the kind of politeness you mentioned, chances are you'll remain accident free.
Sgt. Peter DeVries, North Vancouver RCMP
Follow Peter on Twitter: @rcmpdevries. If you have a question for Ask a Cop, email it to editor@ nsnews.com.
