driving in the right lane tail gate australia Page 2185

In Australia, the right lane is for overtaking, not for setting up camp with a picnic rug. On multi-lane roads — especially those signed Keep Left Unless Overtaking — stay left unless you are overtaking, turning right, or avoiding obstacles.

Tailgating is illegal, full stop; keep at least a 3-second gap, more in the wet, and let faster traffic by rather than playing rolling roadblock. If someone is glued to your bumper, indicate and move left when safe — do not brake-check, do not speed up, and do not audition for vigilante of the year.

Police can and do issue fines and demerit points for right-lane hogging and following too closely, with details varying by state and territory. Be courteous, keep left, and everyone gets home with less drama and more fuel in the tank.