This weekend is considered the last big vacation road crossover of summer. And there is no doubt that the lovers of the central lane will still be numerous to distinguish themselves. You know, those motorists who, imperturbable, decide to make their journey by staying wedged well in the middle on three-lane roads, usually a highway. It does not matter if the line on the right is empty, they continue their way in the center. Rather widespread, this behavior is however strictly prohibited by the Traffic Laws. This stipulates that conduct is carried out always on the right side of the road, except in the event of overtaking (from the left only, let us remember this in passing). We asked our readers about this funny habit. And to believe the many responses received, the subject does not leave you indifferent.
First of all, there are the centrists who take responsibility. Like Hamid, 70: “It’s to avoid any obstacle on the right line. For example a breakdown or an accident”. Or Paul, 43 years old: “It’s still much more comfortable to stay in the middle. We overtake all the trucks without taking any risks. We are not afraid of the vehicle that tumbles into its blind spot. “It allows me to avoid making zigzags”, abounds Jacques, 71 years old. Laurent, 50, advocates “American-style” driving where “everyone chooses their path according to their abilities or their type of vehicle. “In the middle I have better visibility and also better safety. It also allows me to avoid users returning to the highway. I have the choice of avoidance between the left or the right while remaining at the maximum authorized speed, ”he justifies.
“I thought we had a choice”
“Honestly, I don’t understand why it seems to bother so many people. If we drive at the right speed, I don’t see the problem. I even think it’s safer for everyone,” Jérémy, 38, is convinced. Denis, 34, makes the same security argument. For him, the right lane should be reserved for “trucks, motorhomes, slow or overloaded vehicles”, the middle lane for “everyman who drives at 130” and the left lane for “cretins in Audis who feel obliged to overtake with the left turn signal on”. “In the real world where the qualification and the level of attention of the drivers are excessively low, this distribution is much more effective than the established rule, he insists. Not understanding that means refusing to see the current behavior of drivers: 700,000 without a licence, alcohol, narcotics, smartphone, inattention… Requiring these drivers to carry out all these maneuvers and the associated checks is just irresponsible . »
Among the followers of the central lane, there are also those who take refuge behind a misunderstanding, admitting that they were unaware that staying in the middle was not allowed. “On the contrary, I thought that the right lane should be left to slow vehicles,” admits Cerise, 31. “I thought we had the choice to drive in the middle since on the highway there are often trucks on the right. For me, the three ways are justified like that”, is also surprised Sébastien, 42 years old. Others question the reading of the Highway Code. “I’ve never heard of a ticket for someone squatting in the middle lane. I think this is a point of the Highway Code that should be clarified”, adds Cerise. “The regulations should allow you to stay on the left lane if you drive at the maximum authorized speed. No more speeding,” insists Ronald, 70.
“We should create a new panel”
But the most numerous contributions received by 20 minutes come from motorists annoyed, even frankly annoyed, by this practice. Fans of the central lane are decked out with more or less flowery qualifiers, in particular “selfish”. “Driving 60,000 km a year for my job, I frequently encounter this type of individual. I would love for those people to be followed by the blue car with the flashing light. It’s almost more dangerous than speeding. This time again, the security argument is often brandished. “When you have to overtake this kind of fanatic, you have to cut two lanes so as not to put yourself in the wrong by overtaking on the right! Which adds danger when there is no need, ”explains Romain, 37, summing up the general thinking of his camp. “This attitude can cause major slowdowns,” adds Roberto.
Many deplore the absence of controls and sanctions. “This behavior is not sufficiently reprimanded by the police, plague Alain, 64 years old. It would be necessary either to create a new sign reminding that in France one must drive on the right, or to paint at regular intervals a horizontal signage inviting motorists to fall back. » The refusal to fall back on the right lane can lead to second class ticketi.e. a fine of 35 euros, without loss of points.