Rethinking the "fast lane" for drivers and pedestrians
Driving columnist Lorraine Sommerfeld argues it's time to ban drivers from the left lane unless they're using it to pass, and pedestrian advocate Dylan Reid makes the case against a "fast lane" for walkers.
Driving.ca columnist Lorraine Sommerfeld says it's time for governments to bring some order to the left lane by following British Columbia's example. B.C. recently introduced rules that ban drivers from using the left passing lane on high-speed roadways unless they're using it to overtake another driver, prepare for a left turn, or allow another vehicle to merge.
Enforcement has always been focused on the speed bandits, as it should be. But it's time to go after the other outliers: left lane hogs who are too dim or too obstinate to realize driving is a team sport with repercussions far beyond their four-wheeled fiefdom.- Lorraine Sommerfeld, Driving.ca columnist
Meanwhile, a Liverpool business is experimenting with a "fast lane" for pedestrians. But pedestrian advocate Dylan Reid, the co-founder of Walk Toronto and Spacing magazine, says that's not such a good idea.
Pedestrians are actually very good at manoeuvring around each other... If you put lanes in, it would actually make things more difficult, because you wouldn't have the flexibility to move.- Dylan Reid, Walk Toronto co-founder