LANE SELECTION

To drive straight, a rule of thumb is to use the 2^nd lane: the 1^st lane is for parking and left turn, while the 3^rd (if present) is for overtaking and right turn.

Though the most appropriate lane to drive straight between intersections depends on the type of the road, a rule of thumb is to drive along the 2^nd lane.

Driving in the leftmost or rightmost lanes is more demanding to your attention, as in addition to the traffic you should pay attention to the kerb curves and protrusions after an intersection or a break in the dividing strip, and hitting a dividing strip with your wheel at 80 km/h is no fun. When in the leftmost lane you also have to pay attention to pedestrians, especially kids that may jump into the road in front of you. While in the rightmost lane on a highway without a dividing strip, passing side to side the oncoming cars, buses and trucks may be quite unnerving.

The moral here is in a 3-lane road to use the middle lane.

To turn left, change to the leftmost lane, unless road marking allows other lane as well.

To turn right, change to the rightmost lane, unless road marking allows other lane as well.

You must turn left from the leftmost lane, unless another lane has left turn arrow road marking; it is against ARR to turn left from any other lane (r.27, r.28).

You must turn right from the rightmost lane, unless another lane has right turn arrow road marking; it is against ARR to turn right from any other lane (r. 31, r.32).

If road marking allows an additional lane for the turn, you can take either of the allowed.

Change lanes only if you can do it safely.

Safety goes first, and if you cannot change to the preferred lane safely, do not change even if you have to miss the turn – see the CHANGING LANES section.