Transit bus in the fast lane

[Scadam]

I think it's a stretch to use the terms "passing lane" and "travel lane" for that area, especially if you're going to claim the RCMP would ticket for any such thing in that particular stretch. Those concepts are for highway travel. Some spots between Kelowna and Vernon would certainly apply, but it's less obvious between Kelowna and West Kelowna. It's pretty much a nonstop urban area, with regular side streets (and bus service). The 80k stretch would make it a "maybe" for this passing lane business but hardly clear-cut and definitely not something to be up in arms about, especially since this bus incident was at or near the end of the 80k "highway" portion.

[StraitTalk]

I think it's a stretch to use the terms "passing lane" and "travel lane" for that area, especially if you're going to claim the RCMP would ticket for any such thing in that particular stretch. Those concepts are for highway travel. Some spots between Kelowna and Vernon would certainly apply, but it's less obvious between Kelowna and West Kelowna. It's pretty much a nonstop urban area, with regular side streets (and bus service). The 80k stretch would make it a "maybe" for this passing lane business but hardly clear-cut and definitely not something to be up in arms about, especially since this bus incident was at or near the end of the 80k "highway" portion.

I'm about 90% certain there is a sign between West K and Kelowna that says keep right except to pass. It's not always full of traffic.

[dirtybiker]

as he was matching the speed of the cars beside him in the slow lane.

The speed limit is the same in both lanes, there is no fast OR slow, just lanes.

Did you even for a moment consider that he attempted to overtake a slow moving vehicle and then they matched his speed once he drew along-side of them.

This is a common occurence when attempting to overtake other road users with a large vehicle, and without breaking speed laws, you can find yourself somewhat trapped in the left lane. After a while it makes
little or no sense to even try to move right as a left turn is in the gameplan anyways.

[fvkasm2x]

I wouldn't consider the bridge and couple blocks before it on either side a "highway" so your idea of staying out of the "fast lane" on the highway, makes no sense OP.

[JTGTI]

Read the original post again. If the driver had changed lanes on bridge hill I could understand. The lane change was made at Hudson Rd. You indicate that you don't consider that stretch of road a highway? Posted speed is 80kph, the road is called Highway 97, sure sounds like a highway to me.

[-fluffy-]

Regardless of the actual rule of law, it's just common courtesy to use the right lane for through travel unless there is someone there you wish to overtake. I could understand using the left lane exclusively if both lanes are pretty much plugged, but for the most part I find the "keep right except to pass" strategy a pretty easy concept to follow.

[dodgerdodge]

Regardless of the actual rule of law, it's just common courtesy to use the right lane for through travel unless there is someone there you wish to overtake. I could understand using the left lane exclusively if both lanes are pretty much plugged, but for the most part I find the "keep right except to pass" strategy a pretty easy concept to follow.

Yes 100% correct and not a difficult thing to do except "common courtesy" seems to be missing from many drivers here.

[fvkasm2x]

Read the original post again. If the driver had changed lanes on bridge hill I could understand. The lane change was made at Hudson Rd. You indicate that you don't consider that stretch of road a highway? Posted speed is 80kph, the road is called Highway 97, sure sounds like a highway to me.

Fair enough, but so is the entire strip through Kelowna.

And the OP also never said the bus was traveling slowly. Was he going the speed limit? Even faster? If he was, where is the problem? Is it now a bad thing that people inhibit your chance to speed?

[GordonH]

Read the original post again. If the driver had changed lanes on bridge hill I could understand. The lane change was made at Hudson Rd. You indicate that you don't consider that stretch of road a highway? Posted speed is 80kph, the road is called Highway 97, sure sounds like a highway to me.

Fair enough. But the OP also never said the bus was traveling slowly. Was he going the speed limit? If he was, where is the problem? Is it now a bad thing that people inhibit your chance to speed?

I guess it would depend on OP interpretation of posted speed. Everyone knows & can read posted speed signs (I hope), but their some that feel they have the right to go 20, 30+ over that posted sign. Even though this transit bus was most likely doing the posted speed OP felt wronged by that.

Just a thought

(To OP the left lane is passing lane not fast lane)

[JTGTI]

To GordonH, Please read all my posts. I believe I referred to the left lane as the Passing lane. Posted speed limit is not up for interpretation, and neither is "keep right except when passing".

To fvkasm2x as stated earlier the bus was travelling below the speed limit. Also keep in mind that the road thru Kelowna is designated as Harvey Avenue. As for inhibiting someone from speeding, that is an entire different issue. If someone really has to drive in the passing lane because they feel it is their right to do so, and another driver comes up behind them, pull over, let the car(or in most cases pick-up) pass. Inhibiting a speeder will only *bleep* them off, force them to pass on the right and to weave in and out of traffic which then pisses everyone else off, and increases the risk of an accident.

As Dodgerdodge indicated there is a lack of common courtesy on the roads today. That is probably my biggest beef while driving in the valley. A little more courtesy by everyone would mean a lot less road rage.

[fvkasm2x]

For the most part he was travelling just below the speed limit. Which is impeding. Even if he was travelling the speed limit, and traffic was backing up behind him, that is considered impeding. If you are not passing, or traveling faster than the vehicles in the right hand lane (travel lane as per ICBC) then you are impeding the vehicles behind you.

Driving the speed limit and having people behind you that want to go faster, does not constitute impeding.

Regarding the left lane and impeding traffic:

BC Motor Vehicle Act

S.150

(2) The driver of a vehicle proceeding at less than normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing must drive the vehicle in the right hand lane then available for traffic, or as closely as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing a vehicle proceeding in the same direction, or when preparing for a left hand turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

You said he was driving at the same speed as the other cars beside him. You also close to or at the speed limit. That's normal traffic flow and is NOT impeding.

[JTGTI]

OK.....I see that I'm quoted saying that the bus was driving just below the speed limit. which means that the person beside him that he keeping pace with was also driving below the speed limit. Therefore the cars behind that wanted to drive the speed limit (me being included), were impeded.

This was posted earlier. I don't know how much clearer it needs to be stated.

[fvkasm2x]

This was posted earlier. I don't know how much clearer it needs to be stated.

I guess I just don't see why you're making this out to be a big deal. This happens HUNDREDS if not THOUSANDS of times a day on that stretch of road. So a transit bus did it. Big deal. Is that really so much different than all the "regular" cars doing it?

[JTGTI]

I wouldn't go that far as to say it happens thousands time a day. There are still a large number of good drivers in the valley. But I would expect more from a professional driver, like the one driving the transit bus.

[dsldriver]

The other day, while travelling from West Kelowna to Kelowna during afternoon traffic, I watched a Transit bus change lanes from the slow lane to the fast lane Between Ross Rd and Hudson Rd. The Bus then travelled in the fast lane until it crossed the bridge and turned left on Abbott. Because of the amount of traffic, the bus driver was interfering with the flow of traffic as he was matching the speed of the cars beside him in the slow lane. I do believe that the highway rules state to "keep right unless passing". On top of this, the bus was "out of service".

I am confused by your comment. The bus was interfering with the flow of traffic. If he was doing the same speed as the traffic beside him, then they were probably doing the speed limit. it is 80 km/h. And as the sign says at the top "MAXIMUM". Had it been any other vehicle, it wouldn't have bugged you I imagine.

Again. I have to get in front of that "slow moving bus" He is going to hold me up and make me late. This seems to be the intellect of most people in this city. I hate to point out that with the schedules as tight as they are in Kelowna, you won't find a bus doddling along at 10 km/h under the speed limit unless it is being held up by traffic.