According to Article 49 of the Law “On Road Traffic”, drivers of vehicles must move along the right edge of the roadway, depending on the situation during normal traffic. Outside populated areas, as well as on the roadway marked with signs 5.1 (motorway) or 5.3 (road) in populated areas, it is forbidden to move in the left lanes if the right lane in the direction of travel is empty.
“Elchi” reports that this was stated in the appeal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Intelligent Transport Management Center to drivers regarding lane movement.
According to the information, unfortunately, many drivers are encountered on the capital’s roads moving in the left lane while the right lane is empty.
“Furthermore, during intense traffic when vehicles occupy all lanes, cases are frequently observed where some drivers demand way by repeatedly flashing their high beams, drive at high speed, and fail to maintain a proper safe distance. Such cases are more common on the capital’s roads with three or more lanes, such as Airport Highway, Heydar Aliyev, Ziya Bunyadov avenues, Baku-Sumgayit Highway, and other main roads.
Such drivers, who think they will reach their destination faster this way, not only suddenly reduce speed when approaching a radar but also cause accidents due to not maintaining a proper safe distance. At the same time, such behavior of drivers alarms other drivers moving in that lane, forcing them to make sudden maneuvers. These types of drivers somehow believe that other drivers moving in the left lane are absolutely obliged to give way to them.
However, the Law states that only operational vehicles have the right of way, and when they approach, the lane must be cleared. Even when these vehicles use the priority movement mode, they must activate special light and sound signals. Other drivers do not have such a right of way.
According to the requirements of the Law, drivers of vehicles can change their current lane during intense traffic only to turn left or right, prepare for overtaking, continue moving straight, or exit to a stop or parking area, by following the rules.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Intelligent Transport Management Center recommends drivers to prioritize right lanes when driving on roads and to keep left lanes clear for necessary situations,” it was emphasized in the information.