Undertaking scenarios on motorway
Discussion
Hi there
Two hyperthetical scenarios of undertaking on a motorway - that I could easily have indulged in.
1. 3 lane motorway with very light traffic. Man in hat is driving at 65mph, sitting in outside lane. Nothing in inner or middle lanes so I overtake on inner lane leaving a lane between us. - Am I guilty of undertaking ??
2. Same motorway with very heavy traffic with middle and outer lanes full with traffic travelling at 3-4 mph or at standstill. Inner lane is traveling at about 30mph. Am I guilty of undertaking ??
Two hyperthetical scenarios of undertaking on a motorway - that I could easily have indulged in.
1. 3 lane motorway with very light traffic. Man in hat is driving at 65mph, sitting in outside lane. Nothing in inner or middle lanes so I overtake on inner lane leaving a lane between us. - Am I guilty of undertaking ??
2. Same motorway with very heavy traffic with middle and outer lanes full with traffic travelling at 3-4 mph or at standstill. Inner lane is traveling at about 30mph. Am I guilty of undertaking ??
Undertaking (passing on the nearside) is not an offence. It is however in the highway code that you shouldn't do it.
For you to have a problem, there would have to be evidence that what you were doing was either dangerous or careless. Could one argue that in hypothetical situation 1, the old boy in lane three is driving carelessly?
The second hypothetical is actually allowed in the highway code.
Rule 268
Do not overtake on the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake. In congested conditions, where adjacent lanes of traffic are moving at similar speeds, traffic in left-hand lanes may sometimes be moving faster than traffic to the right. In these conditions you may keep up with the traffic in your lane even if this means passing traffic in the lane to your right. Do not weave in and out of lanes to overtake.
For you to have a problem, there would have to be evidence that what you were doing was either dangerous or careless. Could one argue that in hypothetical situation 1, the old boy in lane three is driving carelessly?
The second hypothetical is actually allowed in the highway code.
Rule 268
Do not overtake on the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake. In congested conditions, where adjacent lanes of traffic are moving at similar speeds, traffic in left-hand lanes may sometimes be moving faster than traffic to the right. In these conditions you may keep up with the traffic in your lane even if this means passing traffic in the lane to your right. Do not weave in and out of lanes to overtake.
pheasant said:
Hi there
Two hyperthetical scenarios of undertaking on a motorway - that I could easily have indulged in.
1. 3 lane motorway with very light traffic. Man in hat is driving at 65mph, sitting in outside lane. Nothing in inner or middle lanes so I overtake on inner lane leaving a lane between us. - Am I guilty of undertaking ??
2. Same motorway with very heavy traffic with middle and outer lanes full with traffic travelling at 3-4 mph or at standstill. Inner lane is traveling at about 30mph. Am I guilty of undertaking ??
1. yesTwo hyperthetical scenarios of undertaking on a motorway - that I could easily have indulged in.
1. 3 lane motorway with very light traffic. Man in hat is driving at 65mph, sitting in outside lane. Nothing in inner or middle lanes so I overtake on inner lane leaving a lane between us. - Am I guilty of undertaking ??
2. Same motorway with very heavy traffic with middle and outer lanes full with traffic travelling at 3-4 mph or at standstill. Inner lane is traveling at about 30mph. Am I guilty of undertaking ??
2. see rules for queuing traffic in the highway code (ETA- as above, was beaten to it)
In example 2, no not guilty. In example 1 I think a lot depends on your actions before the undertake. If you were in lane 1 and had been for several hundred meters then no you're ok. However if you had cruised up in lane 3, waited the the guy to move over and when he didn't you moved to lane 1 to get by then yes guilty.
I have to say example 1 is the one thing that realy hacks me off and I may have considered undertaking in your example.
I have to say example 1 is the one thing that realy hacks me off and I may have considered undertaking in your example.
In example 1, I would approach the maneuver in two stages.
a) Pull up parallel with old chap, in lane 1 and match his speed (for a short duration).
b) Then increase speed and carry on your way.
This two stage approach demonstrates due care and attention, and I would not see this as an "undertake".
a) Pull up parallel with old chap, in lane 1 and match his speed (for a short duration).
b) Then increase speed and carry on your way.
This two stage approach demonstrates due care and attention, and I would not see this as an "undertake".
Jarcy said:
In example 1, I would approach the maneuver in two stages.
a) Pull up parallel with old chap, in lane 1 and match his speed (for a short duration).
b) Then increase speed and carry on your way.
This two stage approach demonstrates due care and attention, and I would not see this as an "undertake".
Dont forget to give them a slightly hurt and disappointed look as you pass a) Pull up parallel with old chap, in lane 1 and match his speed (for a short duration).
b) Then increase speed and carry on your way.
This two stage approach demonstrates due care and attention, and I would not see this as an "undertake".
Jarcy said:
In example 1, I would approach the maneuver in two stages.
a) Pull up parallel with old chap, in lane 1 and match his speed (for a short duration).
b) Then increase speed and carry on your way.
This two stage approach demonstrates due care and attention, and I would not see this as an "undertake".
Ah nice I didnt realise this was actually legal as its essentially exactly what I do. Although I pull up a car length behind them rather than alongside to avoid being in an blindspot/area that the car is likely to move into when they realise they are in the wrong lane.a) Pull up parallel with old chap, in lane 1 and match his speed (for a short duration).
b) Then increase speed and carry on your way.
This two stage approach demonstrates due care and attention, and I would not see this as an "undertake".
If I'm in L1 or L2 and there's a slower vehicle in a lane to my right, then I will generally just continue in my lane, but mindful of the fact that the slower vehicle might change lanes when I'm right on top of them.
What I won't do is change lanes in order to undertake, unless either the other vehicle is moving so slowly as to present a hazard or obstruction, or I need to change lanes anyway for some other reason - like to take an exit.
What I also won't do is change lanes just in order to sit behind the slower vehicle and pressure them to move over - I regard that as being worse than undertaking.
What I won't do is change lanes in order to undertake, unless either the other vehicle is moving so slowly as to present a hazard or obstruction, or I need to change lanes anyway for some other reason - like to take an exit.
What I also won't do is change lanes just in order to sit behind the slower vehicle and pressure them to move over - I regard that as being worse than undertaking.
pheasant said:
1. 3 lane motorway with very light traffic. Man in hat is driving at 65mph, sitting in outside lane. Nothing in inner or middle lanes so I overtake on inner lane leaving a lane between us. - Am I guilty of undertaking ?
I don't know the image you had in your mind when you typed this scenario. But if it's very light traffic, and there is nothing in the inner or middle lanes. Why are you behind him to begin with?xxChrisxx said:
I don't know the image you had in your mind when you typed this scenario. But if it's very light traffic, and there is nothing in the inner or middle lanes. Why are you behind him to begin with?
I suggest you read his post again, VERY CAREFULLY. Nowhere in his post does he say he's in the third lane behind the man, nowhere.IanH755 said:
xxChrisxx said:
I don't know the image you had in your mind when you typed this scenario. But if it's very light traffic, and there is nothing in the inner or middle lanes. Why are you behind him to begin with?
I suggest you read his post again, VERY CAREFULLY. Nowhere in his post does he say he's in the third lane behind the man, nowhere.I've abandoned the concept that there is a system of lane priority in the UK. Any lane, any speed. I don't have any trouble. Standards are now so low that your average steering wheel operative hasn't a clue what's right and what's wrong, so doesn't understand they're being 'undertaken'.
Jarcy said:
In example 1, I would approach the maneuver in two stages.
a) Pull up parallel with old chap, in lane 1 and match his speed (for a short duration).
b) Then increase speed and carry on your way.
This two stage approach demonstrates due care and attention, and I would not see this as an "undertake".
Why do people like this answer?a) Pull up parallel with old chap, in lane 1 and match his speed (for a short duration).
b) Then increase speed and carry on your way.
This two stage approach demonstrates due care and attention, and I would not see this as an "undertake".
how does slowing down in the middle of an under take demonstrate due car and attention ? seems like the exact opposite to me.
ging84 said:
Jarcy said:
In example 1, I would approach the maneuver in two stages.
a) Pull up parallel with old chap, in lane 1 and match his speed (for a short duration).
b) Then increase speed and carry on your way.
This two stage approach demonstrates due care and attention, and I would not see this as an "undertake".
Why do people like this answer?a) Pull up parallel with old chap, in lane 1 and match his speed (for a short duration).
b) Then increase speed and carry on your way.
This two stage approach demonstrates due care and attention, and I would not see this as an "undertake".
how does slowing down in the middle of an under take demonstrate due car and attention ? seems like the exact opposite to me.
Personally think we should just admit defeat and allow passing in any lane, seems to work in the US.
ferrariF50lover said:
I've abandoned the concept that there is a system of lane priority in the UK. Any lane, any speed. I don't have any trouble. Standards are now so low that your average steering wheel operative hasn't a clue what's right and what's wrong, so doesn't understand they're being 'undertaken'.
Snap. The average car user is too retardedly dumb to understand where to drive on the road.LoonR1 said:
IanH755 said:
xxChrisxx said:
I don't know the image you had in your mind when you typed this scenario. But if it's very light traffic, and there is nothing in the inner or middle lanes. Why are you behind him to begin with?
I suggest you read his post again, VERY CAREFULLY. Nowhere in his post does he say he's in the third lane behind the man, nowhere.Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff