Authorities humorously guide errant motorists back on course

In a bid to promote safe driving and educate middle lane drivers, the police department in Pforzheim, Germany, has taken an unconventional approach - humour. Their latest Facebook post, known for its wit and irony, has been making waves and sparking conversations among drivers.

The post, part of the department's quarterly contribution under the motto "humorous. safe. driving.", encourages middle lane drivers to switch to the right lane for safer driving. It playfully refers to the middle lane as a "personal throne" and a "Bermuda Triangle", emphasising that it is neither.

The post also clarifies the correct usage of the middle lane on three-lane highways. It states that the middle lane is to be used temporarily, but a car may continuously use the median strip as long as there is occasionally a vehicle on the right lane. However, it advises drivers to switch back to the right lane if it is free for clearly longer than 20 seconds.

The post has been well-received, with one professional highway user commenting that they are one of many friendly truck drivers who don't consider the right lane as their own and encouraging others to join them without fear. Another Facebook user described the post as a "lyrical masterpiece" that reflects the thoughts of many people on the highways.

Not all feedback has been as approving and understanding, but the post has managed to start a much-needed conversation about safe driving. The post has received over 140,000 likes and around 10,000 comments.

Auto Bild, a leading automobile magazine, has dedicated an article to the action of the Pforzheim police this week, highlighting the importance of safe driving and the creative ways authorities are using to promote it.

Violations of the right-of-way rule, as addressed in the post, can be penalized with an 80 euros fine and a point in Flensburg. It's important to remember that in Germany, there is a right-of-way obligation, not a right-of-way rule. Drivers are required to drive as far to the right as possible, not just in case of oncoming traffic or when being overtaken.

The practice of lingering in the middle lane, even with driver assistance systems like cruise control, is illegal in Germany. So, let's all give the right lane a try and discover its mystery, as encouraged by the Pforzheim police. After all, as an aphorism goes, humor is the ability to stay cheerful when it gets serious.