Drivers who go slowly in the left lanes of highways are such a common nuisance that British Columbia is considering ways to coax them into keeping right.
Todd Stone, B.C.’s Minister of Transportation, told CTV Vancouver that he was reminded of the problem after the province conducted a review of rural road safety.
“One of the key things that we heard from British Columbians all over the province was this frustration related to left-lane hogs,” he said.
“The law today is pretty clear in terms of the left lane being there for passing,” he said. “The challenge is a lot of British Columbians don’t seem to know that, or don’t seem to respect that requirement.”
Stone said left-lane hogs lead to aggressive tailgating, which is dangerous.
“What we’re trying to do is looking at eliminating or reducing that tension,” he added, though he wouldn’t give more details.
The B.C. minister’s words have garnered attention across the country from drivers, who took to social media to ask whether more can be done to stop left-lane hogs in their provinces.
Steven Del Duca, Ontario’s transportation minister, told Toronto’s Newstalk 1010 that the province’s Highway Traffic Act already contains a provision to deal with the issue.
However, Sgt. Kerry Schmidt of the Ontario Provincial Police said such tickets are rarely handed.
Michael Harris, the province’s PC transportation critic, told Newstalk 1010 that changes should be considered.
“The charges don't always hold up in court because the parameters are very loose," Harris said.
With a report from CTV Vancouver
