Re: Is this allowed?
Posted: Dec 4th, 2012, 10:45 am
rideforever wrote:hahaha, ok this is getting silly. Lanes don't cease to exist as they go through intersections just because there's no lines. If that was the case then people travelling straight through the intersection also wouldn't have to signal or yield as long as they change lanes in the middle of the intersection.
Speaking of changing lanes in an intersection, is that legal even with signalling and yielding? I'm pretty sure my driving instructor said no ;) but that was a while ago.
Well once again let's refer to the law..... we'll have to go to the same "part" of the MVA that regulates lane changes, and driving on laned roadways,,,,, as follows :
- Part 3 (of the Motor Vehicle Act of BC)
Definitions
119 (1) In this Part:"laned roadway" means a roadway or the part of a roadway that is divided into 2 or more marked lanes for the movement of vehicular traffic in the same direction;
So, as you can read a "laned roadway" is only the part of a roadway that is divided into marked lanes. You might want to take note that there are no "marked lanes" inside intersections. Thus Section 151 (c) of the MVA that tells us that we must signal our intention to drive from one lane to another doesn't apply.
- Driving on laned roadway
151 A driver who is driving a vehicle on a laned roadway
.......
(c) must not drive it from one lane to another without first signalling his or her intention to do so by hand and arm or approved mechanical device in the manner prescribed by sections 171 and 172,
Speaking of chaning lanes in an intersection, is that legal even with signaling and yielding? I'm pretty sure my driving instructor said no ;) but that was a while ago.[/
Oh, yes, the old, "It's illegal to change lanes in an intersection". That's in the same section as driving with bare feet, or driving with your interior light on.
Since we've already read the section that says a laned roadway must have lanes, and we know an intersection doesn't have lanes, we've answered our own question.
So, I guess this isn't "getting silly", it's just the law.
As for your driving instructor telling you not to change lanes in an intersection... There are many driving points that are taught, and are even tested for, that are not actually Motor Vehicle Act laws. An example is "shoulder checking", (looking over your shoulder in the direction you are intending on changing lanes). Nowhere in the MVA does it say, "one must look over their shoulder...." It does say that you must change lanes with safety, but it doesn't say how you should achieve that.
Don't shoulder check on a road test and see if you are marked for not doing so. You will be.