Keep right and obstacle rule

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Keeping right when passing oncoming traffic and dealing with an obstacle in your lane: who gives way under Belgian law.

Coverage, Keep right and obstacle rule

Lesson objectives

Understand the fundamental rule of crossing by the right and its exceptions Master the obstacle rule of article 15.2 and required lateral distances Apply crossing rules on narrow roads and in narrowing situations

Crossing: fundamental principles

Article 15 consists of four rules, and the first is remarkably brief: 15.1 , "Crossing is performed to the right ." 15.2 , in case of crossing, the driver must leave sufficient lateral distance free and, if necessary, keep right . 15.3 , when the width of the roadway does not allow easy crossing, the driver may use the level shoulder or lateral strip , provided that it does not endanger users found there. 15.4 , crossing a rail vehicle may be done to the left if it cannot be done to the right due to the narrowness of the passage, a stationary vehicle or any other fixed obstacle, and without hindering those coming in the opposite direction.

Correct crossing to the right

Crossing

Meeting of two vehicles traveling in opposite directions. Crossing must be performed to the right, each driver keeping to the right of their roadway.

Zones prohibited for crossing

The code expressly allows, when the roadway is too narrow, to use the level shoulder or lateral strip to cross (art. 15.3), provided that no one found there is endangered. Remain out of reach: the sidewalk and protruding shoulder; the cycle path ; the zone beyond the fictitious edge marked by a wide continuous white line, reserved for stopping and parking (art. 75.2); the zebras of directional islands and avoidance zones, where article 77.4 prohibits circulation.

Fictitious edge of the roadway

Wide white line painted on the ground to the right of the roadway. The zone beyond this line is reserved for stopping and parking, and cannot be used for crossing.

Lateral distance during crossing

The highway code requires sufficient lateral distance during crossing. This distance varies depending on the context:

Minimum lateral distances

Situation Minimum distance Crossing a cyclist in built-up area 1 m Crossing a cyclist outside built-up area 1.5 m Crossing other vehicles Sufficient distance, keep right if necessary

Tip for crossing

Before crossing, always check that you have enough space. If the road is too narrow, slow down and keep as far right as possible. If in doubt, wait for the other vehicle to pass first.

Crossing uphill: priority

The "uphill priority" does not exist in the Belgian highway code. This rule, the vehicle going down yields to the one going up, is in force in several mountainous countries, but article 15 does not recognize it, and no examination bank question asks about it. What the code provides for, in article 15.2 , paragraph 2, is an obstacle rule, independent of the slope: "The driver whose progress is hindered by an obstacle or the presence of other users must slow down and if necessary stop to let users coming in the opposite direction pass." It is therefore the one on whose side the obstacle is located, parked car, construction site, narrowing, who waits, whether going up or down. In practice, on a narrow mountain road, it remains courteous to let the one going up pass, as restarting uphill is more difficult. But in the exam, the answer is that of article 15.2.

Obstacle rule: the one whose progress is hindered lets others pass

Obstacle rule (art. 15.2)

Obstacle rule (art. 15.2): the driver whose progress is hindered by an obstacle or by the presence of other users must slow down and, if necessary, stop to let those coming in the opposite direction pass. The slope does not come into play: there is no uphill priority in the Belgian code.

A5

A5, Steep uphill slope. A significant climb awaits you. Downshift to maintain power and be patient, as heavy vehicles and buses may travel much more slowly. Do not attempt to overtake blindly at the top of the hill.

Crossing on roadway narrowing

On a narrowing, two regimes: Without priority signal : article 15.2 applies, the one whose progress is hindered slows down and, if necessary, stops. With signal : the B19 requires you to yield to drivers coming in the opposite direction; the B21 gives you priority of passage over them. Remember the reading direction: B19 obliges you, B21 favors you. They always go in pairs, one at each end of the narrowing.

B19

Narrow passage. You must give way to traffic coming in the opposite direction. On a narrowing, such as a narrow bridge or roadworks, you must let vehicles coming head-on pass first. Stop if necessary and only proceed when the passage is clear.

B21

Sign B21: Narrow passage. This sign means you have priority over traffic coming in the opposite direction. On a narrowing, vehicles coming head-on must stop to let you pass. Remain courteous and vigilant, especially if a user ahead does not seem to see you.

A7a

Sign A7a: road narrowing on both sides. The width of the road decreases on the left and right. Slow down. Center your vehicle in the lane and be attentive to vehicles coming head-on, as there will be less space to pass each other.

A7b

A7b, Road narrowing on the left side. The lane on the left side narrows. If you are driving on it, carefully move to the right. Indicate and check your blind spot before changing lanes.

A7c

A7c, Road narrowing. The road narrows on one side. Slow down, reposition yourself in time and watch for vehicles coming head-on, as the crossing space is reduced. Not to be confused with the lane reduction of article 12bis, which assumes a traffic lane that ends and heavily slowed traffic: a simple road narrowing falls under the obstacle rule of article 15.2 or signals B19 and B21.

Warning: do not confuse two signals

Three similar signals not to be confused: B19 , Narrow passage: obligation to give way to drivers coming in the opposite direction. B21 , Narrow passage: priority of passage over drivers coming in the opposite direction. A39 , danger signal warning of traffic allowed in both directions after a section of one-way road . It grants or removes no priority: it warns.

Crossing at intersections

At intersections, crossing follows the same principles as elsewhere: you cross to the right (art. 15.1), and lane selection arrows marked on the ground impose the lane to use and the direction to follow (art. 77.1). Beware of a confusion: the right-of-way of article 12.3.1 determines who passes first between users coming from different directions . It has nothing to do with crossing, which concerns two users coming in opposite directions .

Exam tip

Faced with a crossing question, ask yourself the right questions: Is there an obstacle or users on my side? If yes, I slow down and if necessary I stop (art. 15.2). Is there a B19 or a B21 ? The signal takes precedence. Do I have the necessary lateral distance , at least 1 m from a cyclist in built-up areas, 1.50 m outside built-up areas (art. 40ter)? Is the road too narrow? I can use the level shoulder or the lateral strip , without endangering those on it (art. 15.3). The slope never enters into the reasoning.

Key points to remember

Art. 15.1 : crossing is performed to the right . Art. 15.2 : leave a sufficient lateral distance , keep to the right if necessary, and the one whose progress is hindered slows down and stops if necessary to let those ahead pass. Art. 15.3 : road too narrow? You can use the level shoulder or the lateral strip . Art. 15.4 : a rail vehicle can be crossed to the left if passing to the right is impossible. Art. 40ter : at least 1 m from a cyclist or two-wheeled mopedist in built-up areas, 1.50 m outside. B19 : give way. B21 : priority of passage. A39 : simple warning. There is no priority uphill in the Belgian code: the obstacle rule applies.

What now?

First do the quiz of this lesson to validate your learning, then practice on the exam simulator and the MCQs . Next lesson: Night: dipped headlights and reversing .

BelgianLicenses

Passing the exam is about consistency, a little each day, and the code will hold no secrets.