403 HOV lane markers

[CafeRay]

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I believe the current solid orange lines are there due to construction on the bridge. I've been travelling that stretch regularly for years and have never seen an accident on that stretch (HWY10 - Mississauga road). Not insinuating that it doesnt happen.

They have been there for about two years. Regardless, crossing a solid line is illegal.

 

[Emefef]

How is leaving the HOV lane any more dangerous than changing lanes from left lane to middle lane? Goes without saying that mirror and blind spot checks are mandatory and if enough space is allowed. If done correctly leaving an HOV lane is no more dangerous.

You guys make it seem as if though a guy changing lanes over the double lined areas is gonna throw the world of its tilt.

I agree with the basic premise that it should be no more dangerous than any other lane change, but I don't agree that that's the primary issue. The point is about managing traffic flow and the expectations of other drivers. Since the left lane is supposed to be used for passing, designated HOV entry/exit points limit the opportunity for potentially slower moving HOV drivers to move into the passing lane. Any reasonably observant driver in the regular lanes that intends to pass someone be able to time that manouevre in the passing lane, knowing there may be turbulence from the other side. Even for the less observant or skilled drivers, it works because reducing the opportunity reduces exposure to drivers coming from the right, with theoretically should reduce the risk. If HOV drivers could exit at any time, there would be no "commitment" to driving in that lane. People would move into it because it looked faster, then when it slows down they bail into the passing lane.

Edit: I just looked up the MTO answer: Restricting access to clearly marked entry/exit zones improves safety by letting drivers in both the HOV lane and the leftmost general traffic lane know where to expect vehicles entering and exiting the HOV lane.

 

[suzuki2000]

Question for those that drive in around HOV lanes regularly since I dont find myself there often/at all in heavy traffic times.

if the highway is at a crawl and the HOV lanes are moving, are most drivers coming out of the lanes to get an exit or whatever reason, at full tilt and just hammering the brakes to fit into a spot? Are people slowing in the HOV lane hunting to get a spot? I would think that doing either of these would just about as dangerous as the person merging in from a standstill to 100kph traffic, no?

 

[kiwi]

I have used the 404 sth bound lanes a bit.. Most of the time there's less morons on it.. I think because they are exiting at Steele's....

;-)

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4

 

[Emefef]

Question for those that drive in around HOV lanes regualry since I dont find myself there often/at all in heavy traffic times.

if the highway is at a crawl and the HOV lanes are moving, are most drivers coming out of the lanes to get an exit or whatever reason, at full tilt and just hammering the brakes to fit into a spot? Are people slowing in the HOV lane hunting to get a spot? I would think that doing either of these would just about as dangerous as the person merging in from a standstill to 100kph traffic, no?

That's a good point, and I think it reinforces the necessity for controlled entrance/exit. Since the exits are designated, the traffic slows in the HOV lanes at those points. Generally if the traffic is crawling the HOV lane isn't flying anyway - it's just moving faster.

 

[Gary]

Coming through Oakville/Burlington a couple weeks ago, we had a car come out of the HOV on the QEW across the solid divider lines, cut in between me and the rider I was with. I saw it coming early and was able to drop back from our staggered position to create space. From my perspective, it looked like the car nearly clipped the rear end of the other riders bike.

I saw him in the corner of my eye charging over from the HOV lane. Good thing I pinned it, or he certainly would have tagged me.

 

[flameboy182]

I have used the 404 sth bound lanes a bit.. Most of the time there's less morons on it.. I think because they are exiting at Steele's....

;-)

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4

Popo starting cracking down on lane cheaters there. It used to be very bad 2 years ago. Glad their work got the intended results.

 

[Cranky Pete]

Edit: I just looked up the MTO answer: Restricting access to clearly marked entry/exit zones improves safety by letting drivers in both the HOV lane and the leftmost general traffic lane know where to expect vehicles entering and exiting the HOV lane.

My thinking exactly.

 

[ZX600]

There are orange solid lines on the 403 on all lanes near Mississauga for a dangerous stretch. It does not stop the German car d-bags from weaving across lanes.

I see lots of people in HOV with only one passenger. Lots cross the solid lines. Lots of Griswalds with the cruise control set at 99km/hr.

There is no public education on highway driving. None. People see the HOV and think it's a passing lane, so they sit in the left lane at 100.

OPP? as usual, do nothing.

This is what frustrates me the most in this province, big chuck of our traffic problems would be solved by public education on lane usage and proper police enforcement, but yet they sit behind trees and signs on speed reduced zones to catch the "bad guys"

**** I hate the police

 

[PLau]

Just like to point out:

Passing lane vs HOV lane.

Not

Fast lane vs slow lanes.

 

[DemonPig]

... There is no public education on highway driving. ....

No education on any type of driving. You can drive to some small town with no highway and no traffic and pretty much practice parking and get a full G for that. You can pass a written test and ride any bike legally on the road with zero experience.

Police doesn't enforce anything but speeding and cell phones nowadays so every other rule gets pretty much ignored. Not signalling is my personal peeve. Especially for left turns at intersections.

I don't like HOV lanes at all - they create a lot of dangerous situations that didn't exist before.

 

[Mongrel]

No demerit points up to 115 km/hr.

Demerit points don't matter anyway, unless you're a really horrible driver (i.e. bad enough to acquire lots of them, like 9 or more, though I think there's an angry warning at 6). Well, they DO matter, because if you get enough of them, they take your license away, which IS relevant. But I think most people here are thinking of insurance, and demerit points have nothing to do with your insurance.

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