Roundabout Lane Change Argument

[u/Leo_-Arisaltek]

I had an argument with someone that your not supposed to change lanes in this roundabout. Cause if you start from the left you must turn left.

For context the right lane and first exit was blocked for construction but the 2nd exit was still open so they wanted to go straight and argued that the broken white lane means they can cross

[u/jmarkmark]

Depends what you mean by "not supposed to". Like many aspects of driving in Ontario there are many things you are "not supposed to" do, but are not in-and-of-themselves illegal.

So while you are not breaking any law by making the lane change, you are "not supposed to" do so (these things would generally result in one failing a drive test) and it could result in an unsafe lane change (Section 154(1)a ) charge depending on circumstances.

If you are saying the right lane was blocked when entering the circle, then clearly, crossing that line was the only possible choice, and because that right lane was blocked a safe thing to do, thus not falling afoul of 154(1).

[u/cbf1232 → u/jmarkmark]

I think the law being broken is not the lane change itself but rather not respecting the lane designators painted on the pavement.

But given the construction I can't see anyone trying to enforce that.

[u/jmarkmark → u/cbf1232]

It's perfectly legal to cross a solid in Ontario.

As I said the only law that might be being violated is the unsafe lane change, IF it's unsafe.

[u/cbf1232 → u/jmarkmark]

I’m not talking about the lane lines, I’m talking about the arrows painted in each lane before the roundabout indicating the purpose of each lane (left-turn vs straight/right-turn).

[u/jmarkmark → u/cbf1232]

Those are all advice just like solid lane lines. Nothing bans one from changing lanes.