Armstrong Creek man latest target in police ‘keep left’ road rule blitz

A driver who said he was “just talkin’ with friends” and didn’t realise he was breaking the law has been whacked with a fine.

On Saturday at 6.50 pm a 42-year-old male from Armstrong Creek was intercepted near Fyansford after travelling three kilometres in the right hand lane and passing no one

A driver who was “just talkin’ with friends” has become the latest to be targeted in a police crackdown on a simple road rule.

Geelong and Surf Coast officers have been cracking down on motorists hogging the right lane.

Senior Sergeant Aaron Riches said that crackdown continued on the weekend when a driver lost track of time in the Geelong Ring Road right lane.

“On Saturday at 6.50pm a 42-year-old male from Armstrong Creek was intercepted near Fyansford after travelling 3km in the right hand lane and passing no one,” Sen Sgt Riches said.

“The driver said: ‘just talkin’ with friends – didn’t realise.’”

The man was issued with an infringement notice for $198 and two demerit points.

According to VicRoads, when travelling on a multi-lane road with a speed limit of more than 80km/h, drivers must keep out of the right lane unless they are overtaking, turning right or if all lanes are congested.

If the right lane is a transit lane — designated for vehicles carrying multiple people or public transportation — the rule applies to the lane immediately left of it.

Last month a 49-year-old Ocean Grove woman was handed the same punishment after she was spotted by police failing to keep left unless overtaking from Moolap Station Rd and Maluleka Rd in Leopold.

A total of 91 per cent of 865 respondents to an Addy poll said it was frustrating when cars didn’t keep left.

One reader called the crackdown “common sense policing”.

In August last year, Torquay police targeted drivers hogging the right lane along the Surf Coast Highway.

At least five drivers, who failed to keep left for more than 1km, were fined during the blitz.

Originally published as Armstrong Creek man latest target in police ‘keep left’ road rule blitz