It seems there has been an epidemic of vehicles passing on the right in Moose Jaw recently.
The experience of having a vehicle passing on the right is frustrating and dangerous. The danger is partially the surprise to the driver being passed.
Saskatchewan traffic laws state clearly that passing on the right is illegal except on multi-lane highways such as Highways One, 11 and 16 in this province.
The assumption has been that most drivers passing on the right are flaunting the law, or just plain stupid.
Passing on the right traffic laws aren’t standard across Canada. Several provinces have different laws than Saskatchewan.
Ontario allows passing on the right. The Ontario Highway Traffic Act allows passing on the right in any of three conditions: the vehicle being passed must be signalling a left turn; or the road must be wide enough for two lanes, or designated for one-way traffic only.
Our next door neighbour to the west, Alberta, allows passing on the right as long as it is safe. Passing is allowed from the right if the left lane is obstructed, if there is adequate space, and if the right lane ahead is not obstructed.
Alberta drivers and Ontario drivers could be the unwitting traffic culprits passing on the right in this province.
Incidentally experts in Alberta and Ontario say passing on the right is not a safe practice.
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For years the traffic on First Avenue Northwest was been a concern with two lanes driving north and one southbound.
The most danger exists at the intersection of Caribou Street and First Northwest.
Long hanging overhead signs were removed and for a few years a temporary wooden sign was placed on the north side when the centre lane became a left turn only lane. Still, countless drivers went through the left turn lane.
Eventually the temporary sign was removed and the east lane was turned into right turn only.
Much of the traffic on First totally ignores the right hand lane, choosing to drive on it, even passing on it.
City council is trying to tackle the issue by turning a large part of the east side lane on First into paid parking spaces.
Hopes hinge on the one-year pilot project curbing drivers from using the lane.
Don’t expect many cars parked in the new spaces. The city isn’t installing coin operated parking meters, instead choosing the new smart app meters.
City managers suggested this might help the slow uptake of the smart phone app to pay for parking.
The smart app will take a long time to become accepted in Moose Jaw. This is a city where change is not easily accepted.
There are still locals who call the site of John’s Music store the Christie Grant store, even though that department store has been closed over 60 years,
Drivers in the Fairford Street parking lot have gone elsewhere when they encountered that smart app meter.
Ron Walter can be reached at [email protected]
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
