The Wasteland - ACT Style

[RosieR34]

the rule keep left unless overtaking does not exist in the ACT. they are 100% within their right to do whatever they want in the right hand lane.

Well the keep left unless overtaking by law in NSW (and I'm assuming AUS) is for Highway/ Motorways. However, in saying that I'm pretty sure William Hovel has a "Keep left unless overtaking". Will have to confirm on the way home.

Confirmed: Along William Hovel it is a "Keep left unless overtaking". So it is illegal to stay in the right lane. I was unable to upload a picture too big.

When driving on a multi-lane road at over 80 kilometres per hour or a sign indicates, drivers are required to keep left unless overtaking. The requirement to keep left unless overtaking arises under Rule 130 of the Road Rules 2008. Rule 130 states:

(1) This rule applies to a driver driving on a multi-lane road if:

(a) the speed limit applying to the driver for the length of road where the driver is driving is over 80 kilometres per hour, or

(b) a keep left unless overtaking sign applies to the length of road where the driver is driving.

(2) The driver must not drive in the right lane unless:

(a) the driver is turning right, or making a U-turn from the centre of the road, and is giving a right change of direction signal, or

(b) the driver is overtaking, or

© a left lane must turn left sign or left traffic lane arrows apply to any other lane and the driver is not turning left, or

(d) the driver is required to drive in the right lane under rule 159, or

(e) the driver is avoiding an obstruction, or

(f) the traffic in each other lane is congested, or

(g) the traffic in every lane is congested, or

(h) the right lane is a special purpose lane in which the driver, under another provision of these Rules, is permitted to drive, or

(i) there are only 2 marked lanes and the left lane is a slow vehicle turn out lane.

Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.

As can be seen above, the maximum penalty for not keeping to the left unless overtaking is a $2,200 fine.

Edited July 24, 2013 by RosieR34

[Trozzle]

Next time I've got a day off (probably tomorrow at this rate, lol), I'm going to stand on the grass off to the side of the form-one-lane after the set of traffic lights on the Monaro southbound just before Fyshwick (we all know the one) with a subliminally offensive sign pointing out the sheer incompetence of drivers when it comes to merging. Something like "Canberra drivers: learn to merge, you incompetent fools. It's not bloody hard!", all while I point directly at offenders. If I'm still in this irritated mood on the way home, I think I should definitely avoid that route hahaha

[Anfanee]

the best point is south bound on the monaro HWY next to hume where it goes to 3 lanes for a couple of hundred meters. Makes me laugh every afternoon.

[Trozzle]

the best point is south bound on the monaro HWY next to hume where it goes to 3 lanes for a couple of hundred meters. Makes me laugh every afternoon.

Generally I find that situation just silly since people push forward for very little gain, but still manage to merge relatively acceptably haha. Any form one lane situation immediately after a set of lights is a f**king joke - both due to the incredible incompetence of the drivers, and also that of the person who originally decided that would be a good spot to put it. What the f**k were they thinking?!

[Anfanee]

your average canberran:

"POWERRRRRR. I WILL NOT LET THEM IN FRONT OF ME, IT WILL DELAY MY TRIP HOME BY 2 SECONDS"

Generally I find that situation just silly since people push forward for very little gain, but still manage to merge relatively acceptably haha. Any form one lane situation immediately after a set of lights is a f**king joke - both due to the incredible incompetence of the drivers, and also that of the person who originally decided that would be a good spot to put it. What the f**k were they thinking?!

[RosieR34]

I know right ! Most the time one of the lanes will take off extremely slowly. I'm all for the 1by1by1by1 in the sense of Left lane, Right lane, Left lane Right lane. But since cars take off really slowly sometimes the right lane can slip 3 cars in before 1 car actually starts to merge in the left lane, making the 2nd car in the left lane going nuts.

[Trozzle]

I'm all for whatever method provides the most seamless merging of vehicles under the circumstances....however the situation I always experience near Fyshwick blows my mind since people will deadset just force their way up beside the car in front of them even though they obviously realise they are NOT getting in front. It's like they just flat out do not process anything more than 5 meters in front of their vehicle, so to them the form one lane situation doesn't even exist.

Oblivious f**king morons.

[Anfanee]

TBH I don't know why Troy is complaining. You got a bike mate, Fk traffic.

[Trozzle]

TBH I don't know why Troy is complaining. You got a bike mate, Fk traffic.

That's an attitude that'll get you wiped out lol. No way will I utilise having a motorcycle to avoid traffic situations - at least I certainly won't do so without also acknowledging the silly risks I'm taking.

Plus like f**k I'm going to ride to work at 8am in this cold. Would rather deal with wanting to kill people than not even have the chance coz I'm bedridden at home with a horrid chest infection

[Anfanee]

... It has been warm this week on the bike lol. In fact this winter has not been cold yet. I rode with my summer jacket a couple of weeks ago. All i meant by Fk traffic at merging is you need almost no space to fit. It's not about being silly.

[Trozzle]

... It has been warm this week on the bike lol. In fact this winter has not been cold yet. I rode with my summer jacket a couple of weeks ago. All i meant by Fk traffic at merging is you need almost no space to fit. It's not about being silly.

Some useles f**king woman or arrogant guy would still manage to f**k your day haha

Sure, it may not be cold relative to this time of year normally, but it's still easily cold enough to get sick. Why take that risk when I don't have to? I ride the bike for enjoyment, since it's overall much less convenient than driving lol

[Anfanee]

If you get cold it has nothing to do with getting sick. It's 100% a myth. Even on the cold day the only hands get cold. Everything else is fine. The worst thing about riding in winter is black ice. And rain. Rain is shit.

[Trozzle]

Tell that to my housemate who'll consistently have a cold/flu if he's forced to ride to work during winter lol.

I fail to see how having your body temp lowered (or at least that of your epidermis) has no correlation to getting sick....unless that isn't what you meant.

[Anfanee]

Seriously though, if you ride a bike in winter or go watch a sport game out doors in winter it will not just make you sick. The reason people get sick in winter vs summer is virus' prefer cold dry weather (they last longer) and therefore the spread is larger. Physically getting cold will not make you sick.

[Trozzle]

Seriously though, if you ride a bike in winter or go watch a sport game out doors in winter it will not just make you sick. The reason people get sick in winter vs summer is virus' prefer cold dry weather (they last longer) and therefore the spread is larger. Physically getting cold will not make you sick.

Not that I have anything to back up my beliefs on the contrary, but do YOU have any sources for this claim? I'm legitimately intrigued since even a few days of unexpectedly cold weather will often result in a minor cold for me - like back in spring/summer 2011, random cold change for a couple of days, then warm again, then cold, then warm over the space of a week REALLY f**ked me up haha

[RosieR34]

If you get cold it has nothing to do with getting sick. It's 100% a myth. Even on the cold day the only hands get cold. Everything else is fine. The worst thing about riding in winter is black ice. And rain. Rain is shit.

Cold weather produces bacteria. Your immune system becomes a lot less tolerant in cold climates. Hence why it's called a "Cold". It's also easier to fall asleep in cold weather (Fan on, or generally you feel tired in cold weather) this is because your body starts to shut down to keep your vital organs warm.

Most of the time, when temperatures become cooler, the metabolism (its ability to maintain life functions and continue reproduction) of the microbes slows. When the temperature is too cold the microbes become dormant (a state of ceased metabolism) until the temperature rises again

Nonetheless, it hasn't been that cold (I'm still not wearing a jacket when I'm outside).

Edited July 24, 2013 by RosieR34

[Anfanee]

My mum is a doctor, i was actually having this conversation with her last week. It's actually quite interesting how it all works. Scientists/Doctors are still not 100% on why it does flare up so much in winter but it does have a lot to do with bacteria prefering cold, dry weather. On top of that there are a heap of other theories. 1 for example is that people are closer together when its cold (sit on the couch closer or whatever) that helps spread flu/cold bacteria.

This is my third winter on the bike and i get no sicker than i did driving the car. The most important thing you can get is a neck warmer/Balaclava to keep your neck warm. When i ride in Winter i usually have my bike boots, Work pants with my Bullet jeans ontop of them, work shirt, Jumper and then bike jacket ontop, with a neck warmer and then gloves. And only my hands get cold (left hand mainly? No idea why). I usually sit my left hand on the engine haha. In saying that i HATE wearing winter gloves. I ride with summer gloves all year round.

Not that I have anything to back up my beliefs on the contrary, but do YOU have any sources for this claim? I'm legitimately intrigued since even a few days of unexpectedly cold weather will often result in a minor cold for me - like back in spring/summer 2011, random cold change for a couple of days, then warm again, then cold, then warm over the space of a week REALLY f**ked me up haha

[Sinista32]

I paid for the Right lane in my copious taxes. It's mine - so Travel above 110kmph or stay out of it !!

[Anfanee]

^^ this man has the right attitude.

[Trozzle]

I paid for the Right lane in my copious taxes. It's mine - so Travel above 110kmph or stay out of it !!

This. lol.

But yeah Anthony most of that makes sense, it's just I can't overcome the notion that subjecting your body to colder temperatures will result in a slightly reduced immune system, and therefore more susceptible to viral/bacterial infection.