When should the driver observe the maximum right of the road?

Adherence to the extreme right of the road is one of the most important and common traffic safety rules, not only in Saudi Arabia, but in most countries of the world. This rule aims to regulate traffic, reduce the risk of accidents, and facilitate the smooth crossing of vehicles.

On its “X” account, Saudi Traffic noted the importance of this rule and the cases in which the driver must adhere to the extreme right of the road. Therefore, in this guide, we will explain these cases to you in detail and provide some additional tips to ensure safe and responsible driving.

Why are rules of adherence to the right path inevitable in some cases?

It is essential that you understand the fundamental reasons behind these rules and that they are principles that promote:

1. Traffic flow, reducing congestion and allowing faster vehicles to pass without obstacles.
2. Reducing accidents, reducing the risk of lateral and rear collisions, and providing more room for maneuver in emergency situations.
3. Give drivers a safe space to bypass slow vehicles without causing traffic confusion.
4. Create clear expectations among drivers about the behavior of others, reducing confusion and surprises on the road.
5. Ensure compliance with traffic regulations and avoid violations and penalties.

Cases in which the driver must adhere to the extreme right of the road

There are five main cases in which the driver must adhere to the extreme right of the road to ensure traffic safety and avoid violations, namely:

1. When overtaking another vehicle

Overtaking is a common maneuver that requires close attention and caution. In this case, a driver who wishes to overtake another car must stick to the left side of the road in order to facilitate the overtaking process. On the other hand, priority is given to the driver who owns the vehicle being bypassed to prevent any possible collision and provide sufficient and safe space for both parties.

2. When traveling at a lower speed than the maximum speed

Of course, left lanes on multi-lane roads are reserved for high-speed or overtaking vehicles, so if you are traveling less than the maximum speed limit for the road, or at a slower speed than the traffic flow in the left lanes, you should stick to safe driving in the right lane. This procedure allows faster vehicles to pass freely without having to slow down behind you, which reduces congestion, maintains smooth traffic and reduces the chances of a rear-end collision.

3. When you turn to the right

When you intend to turn right at an intersection or exit, you should gradually move to the far right side of the lane allocated to turn right.

Remember that suddenly trying to turn right can lead to serious accidents with other vehicles that may be traveling in the right lanes or preparing to turn, so sticking to the right side early gives you enough time to signal and change lanes safely, and inform other drivers of your intention.

4. When vision is poor

Clear vision is a crucial element for safe driving. In cases where visibility is blurred, whether due to heavy fog, heavy rain, dust storms or very poor lighting, it is essential for the driver to stick to the extreme right of the road because in such circumstances his ability to see other vehicles and obstacles is reduced and the risk of accidents increases.

Driving on the right side allows you to reduce speed safely, gives you more space to act in the event of a sudden appearance of any obstacle. It also keeps you away from high-speed tracks that may cause serious accidents in poor visibility conditions.

5. When meeting another vehicle

This happens on two-way roads that are not separated by a barrier. Both vehicles must stick to the far right side of their path in order to ensure an adequate safety distance between the two vehicles and prevent direct collisions. This is an obvious situation that keeps vehicles separated on track and avoid any interference that may lead to an accident.

Adherence to the maximum right of road in certain situations is not just a regulatory procedure. It is a traffic behavior aimed at protecting lives, facilitating the movement of vehicles, and reducing the chances of accidents, especially when visibility is poor or encountered with other vehicles.

Override vehicles and move to the right

Before turning right, you should follow a set of guidelines that will ensure you are aware of your surroundings and inform other road users of your intentions.

These guidelines are called “MSPSL”. They mean the driving routine used to safely approach intersections and hazards, including: mirrors, signal, location, speed, and vision. The following is an explanation of what to do before turning right:

1. Check your interior mirror and right side mirror to evaluate the speed and location of any traffic behind you, including bicyclists or motorcyclists, and whether your turn will affect them.
2. Activate the right turn signal light in your car in a timely manner. This tells other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists of your intention to turn, and make sure not to give a misleading signal, especially if there are roads or other entrances on the right before your intended turn.
3. Move your vehicle to the right of your lane, taking into account your position as close to the middle of the road as possible. There may be a dedicated lane for turning right or a filtering path in the middle of the road.. Use them if they are found.
4. Don't cross the center lines unless it's inevitable and safe, and leave enough space for other vehicles to pass you from your left if there's enough space and it's safe for them to do so.
5. Lower your speed early and gently. This step gives you time to evaluate the intersection, look for hazards, and make a safe decision about when to turn.
6. It is essential to check the new road well for any obstacles, traffic, or pedestrians, always giving priority to pedestrians who are actually crossing.
7. You should also be wary of cyclists and motorcyclists who may be hard to see, don't forget to give way to oncoming vehicles, and never turn if doing so will hinder their movement.
8. Finally, evaluate the speed of oncoming traffic to identify a safe gap. Take a quick last look over your right shoulder before turning to make sure the lane is clear.

Remember, dear driver, that even if another driver flashes his headlights or signals you to go, never assume that it is safe to continue without checking all your aspects.

Also, be careful of oncoming vehicles powered by the left turn indicator. They may be on their way to turn, but you may have left the turn indicator on by mistake, so wait until you actually start turning before committing.

Drivers should adhere to the MSPSL routine when approaching intersections in order to protect everyone's safety: check the mirrors, turn on the signal, choose the appropriate location, reduce speed, and check the road by sight.

Overtaking from the left: guidelines and rules

It may be allowed to overtake vehicles from the left, but follow specific guidelines depending on the type of road:

1. On non-highway roads

Traffic rules say you should not overtake from the left unless the car in front of you indicates to turn right and there is enough space to do so.

If traffic is slow in queues, stay in your lane and you can pass from the left if the queue to your right is slower than you.

2. On the highways

You should not overtake from the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake in cases of heavy traffic, as adjacent lanes move at close speeds.

Traffic on the left lanes may sometimes be faster than traffic on the right. In these cases, you can keep up with traffic in your lane even if it requires passing vehicles in the lane on your right.

In any case, you should always take the utmost care when overtaking from the left, as there are several potential risks, including: pedestrians who may cross the road or hide behind vehicles parked in other lanes, as well as the possibility that other drivers will not see you and suddenly move to the left.

Legal penalties due to non-compliance

Failure to comply in the cases mentioned above is a punishable traffic violation. Traffic laws impose fines and penalties on drivers who do not comply with their correct course.

For example, you may be subject to a fine if you drive on the left lane without justification, starting from 300 SAR and up to 500 SAR. The fine may be reduced to between 150 and 300 SAR if you change your lane suddenly without using turn signals.

These violations also affect your traffic record and increase the points of violations. In cases of repetition, they may lead to the suspension of your driver's license. Traffic authorities rely heavily on modern technologies, such as surveillance cameras and artificial intelligence systems, to monitor these violations and apply penalties accurately. Therefore, adherence to these rules becomes more urgent than ever.

7 extra tips for safe driving

1. Always be aware of your surroundings on the road, use mirrors regularly and be aware of the location of other vehicles.
2. Use turn signals correctly and at the right time to inform other drivers of your intentions.
3. Always leave enough distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front to avoid a sudden collision.
4. Do not exceed the maximum speed limit for the road, and stick to the appropriate speed for road conditions and weather conditions.
5. Keep your cool. Don't rush, don't stick to other people's cars, and don't make dangerous overrides. Aggressive driving increases the risk of accidents and creates a tense traffic environment.
6. Do not use a mobile phone or engage in any activities that distract you while driving.
7. Make sure your vehicle is in good condition and that all systems (brakes, lighting, tyres“It works properly.

Safe driving starts with awareness and responsibility when you stick to the right path and respect those around you. You contribute to a safer traffic environment and build a culture based on trust and respect rather than chaos.

On the other hand, safe driving reflects civic awareness and social responsibility. When you comply with traffic rules, including adherence to the extreme right of the road, you help smooth traffic and establish the foundations of mutual trust and respect on the road.

Your commitment also reduces stress, makes you anticipate the behavior of other drivers, whether they are traveling faster or slower, and promotes a culture of safety so that safe driving becomes the rule rather than the exception. It also encourages future generations to adopt these positive practices.

The rules of adherence to the right lane also contribute significantly to reducing the phenomenon of “road rage”, which often arises from chaos and lack of respect for the rights of others. In order to ensure the sustainability of this culture, teaching these rules should begin with driving training programs, with continuous support from traffic awareness campaigns launched by official bodies.

FinallyAdherence to the extreme right of the road is a leadership behavior that reflects awareness of responsibility towards self-safety and the safety of others. By studying and applying these cases mentioned earlier carefully, you contribute to creating a safer and smoother traffic environment for all.

As a vehicle driver, always remember that you are an example for others, especially for children and younger generations. Your behavior on the road is part of the collective safety awareness.