OK road rules experts.

[avgas]

Always assumed that right had to give way as it forms a passing lane

so did i, but rule one of any sort of road law states:
"Give way to all traffic going a) straight across your path, or b) on your right", been told by a copper that this apply's on multiple lanes as well.
Also the left lanes closes, so really the left vehicle is 'turning' into the right lane, and turning traffic must give way to all traffic 'going straight through' and all traffic 'comming from the right'.
i still give way if im in the right lane though - as i like being a 'nice guy' on the roads, people who are in a hurry all the time are just jerks. why cant they get hit.

[spudchucka]

If the left lane ends then the vehicle in that lane has to move across the dividing line into the right hand lane. They would have to indicate for three seconds and then merge, giving way to through traffic.

[TwoSeven]

Two vehicles are side by side in seperate lanes. Straight road. The road merges down into one lane. Who Gives way to who.The situation I am specificly talking about is at a set of traffic lights.
Both vehicles stopped ,both in clearly defined lanes.
30-50m past the lights the lane markings just dissapear and the road gradually narrows to 1 lane. Both vehicles acelerate at the same pace
Does the guy in the left lane give way to the guy in the right lane or vicey vercy. Or is it a case of "might is right?'
for the sake of argument they are both driving kwasudaha DRSEBHY 1500's

The rule has always been give way to the right.

So it also includes funnily enough, giving way to the car that is on your right.

The only time when you wouldnt do that, is if your vehicle is slightly in front of his (like by a bit of a car length and its obvious) - then its courtesy for him to give way, but you are still supposed to.

Thats how I was tought it.

[MacD]

Give way to your right unless on a controlled intersection..
Come on, when did anybody here last read a bloody road code.

Yep, this seems the rule most likely to apply.

[MSTRS:Me]

There are a number of the described intersections in Napier. IE both lanes after a set of traffic lights just merge towrds each other until they become one lane. The vehicle in the left lane must give way. In the case of many vehicles in each lane then starting as above, the courtesy zipper applies.

[DEATH_INC.]

If the left lane ends then the vehicle in that lane has to move across the dividing line into the right hand lane. They would have to indicate for three seconds and then merge, giving way to through traffic.

Yes,but what frosty's saying is that neither lane ends,they just stop the middle line so they become one.....

[Skunk]

Give way to the right.

In this case (no merging lane, just both lanes becoming one) if there is a collision you could find both drivers being charged and at fault. (Asked a cop once for some reason )

[Rainbow Wizard]

Always assumed that right had to give way as it forms a passing lane

Always assume the give way if I'm on the left, because those on my right are usually only there if passing or intending to pass.

Truth of the matter: He who has less aggression and/or less power and acceleration.

[FROSTY:Me]

well that clears that up then dunnit -left laner gives way to right laner

[speedpro]

well that clears that up then dunnit -left laner gives way to right laner

Unless the person on the left is on a Kawasaki.

[Sheep Dags]

but in this situation where noone in particular is passing anyone - it's just 2 lanes merging into one after some lights (not the left lane closing out or anything), then I would have thought it's whoever is in front. because if they do hit, you have to assume that the person behind would have easily seen the other car (either if it was on their left or right) so could have let them in, whereas the person in front may not be able to see the other car, and if they keep their line, should not be at fault. i've always been told that if in this case, the 2 cars do collide, the fault is with the car that is behind (even if only slightly).
And the "give way to the right lane" rule shouldn't apply cause haven't you guys all seen those "merge like a zip" signs? they contradict the "give way to the right lane guy" rule that most people think is right. if people did give way to everyone on their right after traffic lights when the lanes merged, all the people in the left lane would have to stop and wait for all of the people in the right lane to go, and that's just not cricket

[scumdog]

Putting my neck out (hell, it hurt enough when I put my back out!) but the lane that goes straight through has right of way and generally it's the left hand lane that 'veers' to the right to join onto the 'straight-through' right hand lane ergo the left hand lane gives way.

Having said that most drivers in a situation similar to yours just do the 'zip' thing i.e. one from the left lane then one from the right then one from the left lane then one from the right then one from the left lane then one from the right then one from the the left lane then one from the right then one from the left lane then one from the right....................... did that kind of explain it?? :unsure:

[inlinefour]

that you allways give way to the right. Therefore the vechicle in the passing lane has the right of way and the vechicle on the far left gives way.

[Dr Bob]

Give way to the right.

It also makes sense as it is easier to see the left hand side of a vehicle in such a maneavoure than the right hand side of a vehicle when your are in the right hand side of a cage.

[Dr Bob]

It isn't a passing lane. It is a dual lane carriageway. A passing lane is on a highway and is signposted.

There are no passing lanes in cities, merely multiple lanes to articulate a larger volume of traffic.