Can Passenger Cars Use Climbing Lanes?
2 Answers
Climbing lanes are generally designated for large trucks to ascend slopes, hence the speed tends to be lower. If there are large vehicles on the climbing lane, it is advisable to keep a safe distance. Introduction to Climbing Lanes: Climbing lanes are dedicated lanes added on the outer side of the main traffic lane on steep slopes, specifically for heavy-duty vehicles. When heavy trucks travel on steep slopes, their reduced speed can disrupt the normal flow of passenger cars, thereby affecting the overall traffic capacity of the road. Benefits of Adding Climbing Lanes: To mitigate these adverse effects, it is recommended to add climbing lanes on steep slopes. This separates heavy trucks and slow-moving vehicles from the main traffic flow, enhancing the freedom of movement for main lane vehicles, ensuring driving safety, and improving the traffic capacity of the section. Ideally, the longitudinal profile of the route should be designed to eliminate the need for climbing lanes altogether.
Honestly speaking, climbing lanes aren't really designed for passenger cars. After years of driving mountain roads, I've seen this scenario countless times: climbing lanes are meant for heavy trucks because they move slowly uphill and can block the main lane. If passenger cars squeeze into these lanes, there are two major issues: first, their higher speed increases the risk of rear-ending slow-moving trucks; second, the rough pavement makes for an uncomfortable, bumpy ride. I remember last year on a mountain slope when a passenger car tried to take a shortcut and nearly got rolled over by a truck – just thinking about it gives me chills. So, passenger cars should stick to the main lane where it's safer. While small cars have no problem with climbing ability, using the right lane is what matters most. Don't risk a major accident just to save a few minutes.
