Driving on the right applies on German roads. It states in the road traffic regulations that drivers should always keep as far to the right as possible, and not just when they are being overtaken or in oncoming traffic. But the reality is different every day, especially on the freeways, because many drivers seem to feel most comfortable in the left or middle lane, even when driving on the right. This can certainly be punished with 80 euros and a point in Flensburg.
For road users who do not observe the regulation, the term middle lane creeper has established itself in common parlance. They often annoy other drivers, who then like to flash their headlights or drive too close to draw attention to themselves. This can be construed as coercion, although it is precisely the “pusher” who sees himself as being forced. In the worst case, the slow-moving vehicle in front will eventually be overtaken on the right. This can lead to dangerous situations when both sides try to “discipline” each other. Traffic psychologists warn that drivers in the middle lane endanger road safety.
But that’s not all: if cars drive unnecessarily in the left or middle lane, the two- or three-lane route effectively becomes one-lane because the traffic is concentrated in the left-hand lane. This increases the risk of traffic jams and accidents. Most of these drivers are not even aware of the consequences of their driving behavior. Many of these are drivers who are insecure or too lax and therefore remain in the middle, as experts know. In addition, there are still drivers who believe that the right lane is only for trucks.
In addition, the case law on the requirement to drive on the right is not entirely clear, especially on motorways, as the Goslar Institute for consumer-friendly insurance of the HUK Coburg emphasizes. Paragraph 7 of the StVO states that motor vehicles may deviate from the requirement to drive as far to the right as possible on roadways with several lanes for one direction if the traffic density justifies this. This means that not every gap that opens up in the right lane has to be used. Rather, the middle lane may be used longer if you have to overtake frequently. There is therefore an exception to the otherwise applicable right-hand drive requirement for driving on motorways, which opens up some leeway.
The road traffic regulations even concede that on three-lane motorways the middle lane may be used “continuously” if only “occasionally” a vehicle drives to the right of it that needs to be overtaken. However, traffic experts do not necessarily think this makes sense. TÜV Nord, for example, advises driving on the right anyway and not swerving too early to overtake. The rule of thumb for the exception to the right-hand drive requirement on three-lane roads is that the middle lane must be cleared if the right-hand lane can be used for significantly longer than 20 seconds before the next overtaking manoeuvre.
Apart from this exemption, the right-hand traffic rule applies to inner-city traffic. However, motor vehicles up to 3.5 tons are allowed to freely choose the lane for one direction on roads with several marked lanes, as the ADAC explains. In this case it is also allowed to drive faster on the right than on the left. However, this does not apply to inner-city motorways. You can also deviate from the right-hand drive requirement if the traffic density justifies it. The rule to drive on the right in cities also applies to one-way streets and roundabouts.
On two-lane roads outside built-up areas, vehicles must use the right-hand lane and drive as far to the right as possible. There are only exceptions to this rule when traffic density justifies it. If queues of vehicles form, overtaking is also permitted on the right.
In all cases, anyone who wrongly drives into the middle lane and thereby obstructs others can be fined with 80 euros and one point in Flensburg. (awm)