‘Well that’s changed!’ Road rules quiz about when drivers can and can’t use the middle lane divides motorists – so do you know the law?
- The Queensland Department of Main Roads shared a tricky diagram on Monday
- They asked motorists if a car could drive in middle lane if it was not overtaking
- Question divided motorists on whether drivers should keep to the left lane
- It was revealed that drivers must only keep the right lane free unless overtaking
A road rules quiz on when drivers are allowed to use the middle lane has divided motorists.
The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads shared a tricky highway test on Monday that sparked a heated debate.
They challenged drivers: ‘You know your road rules, and now’s your chance to prove it.’
The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads shared a tricky highway diagram (pictured) on Monday that divided motorists on whether cars could use the middle lane
The graphic showed cars on a three lane road with speed limit signs of 100km/h.
It also showed a yellow car ahead in the left lane and a blue car close behind in the middle lane.
The post asked: ‘The driver of the blue car is not overtaking the yellow car—so is it okay for them to remain in the middle lane?’
Many motorists were adamant the car should keep to the left lane.
‘Keep left unless overtaking, sign-posted or not,’ one commenter wrote.
‘No, you must drive on the left lane unless overtaking,’ another said.
Other users noted that only the right lane needed to be kept free.
‘The blue car can be in that lane, only far right is for overtaking,’ one viewer said.
‘This is one of those misunderstood road rules that seems more people get wrong than right,’ a commenter wrote.
Comments on the Facebook post (pictured) revealed that drivers were only prohibited from using the right hand lane unless they were overtaking
The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads explained: ‘On multi-lane roads, if the posted speed limit is 90km/h or more, or if the road has a ‘keep left unless overtaking’ sign, you must not drive in the right-hand lane unless you are overtaking.’
Motorist were shocked to learn that the blue car was allowed to drive in the middle and only the right lane needed to be kept free.
One Queenslander said: ‘Well that’s changed! I thought it was enforced down south but only recommended up here?’
‘Huh… so the rule is to keep the right lane free, not keep left unless overtaking,’ another commenter wrote.
Other exceptions for driving in the far right lane include turning right, avoiding an obstruction and driving in congested traffic.
Motorists were shocked to learn that multi-lane highways permitted cars to drive in the left and middle lanes regardless of if they were overtaking