It continues to be one of the most easily detected violations of the Highway Code (EC): traffic on the left or middle lanes on motorways when the right-hand lane is unimpeded is one of the most common habits among Portuguese drivers. But do you know how much this can cost you - in points and in euros?
In April of this year, the National Republican Guard (GNR) launched an unprecedented campaign against undue circulation on the left or middle roads (in the case of motorways with three-way traffic), promoting not only awareness actions in a first phase, also, in a second phase, assessing the offenders who make the leftmost tracks their 'houses' on the motorways. This is one of the most common infractions found on Portuguese roads, and it is also an attitude that fuels road insecurity. However, by analyzing the Road Code, Article 38 of Subsection II, which refers to overtaking, stipulates that the driver who overtakes "must turn right as soon as he completes the maneuver and can do so without danger". This is in cases of overtaking considered on national roads, although there is already a relevant principle here: that of returning quickly and safely to the right-hand road.
More specifically, in Article 13 (3) of Section I, we find a rule on inland waterway transport with more than one roadway in the same direction: "Where, in the same sense, there are two or more transit, this should be done by the right-most route, but another may be used if there is no place in it and also to overcome or change direction. Paragraph 4 of the same article also stipulates the amounts of fines to be paid, ranging from € 60 to € 300.
That is to say, for all intents and purposes, to remain in the middle or the left when the one on the right is unimpeded or the overtaking has been completed - for all intents and purposes, the primary reason for occupying a road other than that of the right - leads to a very serious misdemeanor, resulting in a loss of four points in the license and a driving inhibition which can vary between two months and two years (or one month if there are extenuating conditions).
And who passes by the right because in the middle is a car slower?
In the case where some drivers stay in the middle without returning to the right lane, other drivers with a slightly higher speed may be tempted to pass to the right, arguing mentally that this is not an overtaking. Indeed, many drivers have been 'spreading' the information that if they stay in their tracks it is not an overtaking, as they do not make the route - even if mirrored - of a traditional overtaking. However, this too is wrong. Turning to the right another vehicle that runs in the center road, even if slower, is also a very serious misdirection, so that, in limit situations, both drivers will be assessed. In the case of the latter, they would also lose the four points related to the misconduct, but the fine is higher, ranging between € 250 and € 1,250.
So, if you notice a vehicle in the middle and you intend to overtake it, do not hesitate to: indicate this by flashing, surpassing it by the left-hand path and, if possible, return to the right most safely.
