Article Trucks in outside lane of mway
Discussion
Think I've encountered one Romanian truck in 25 years of driving in lane 3 of a UK motorway, then yesterday on trip back and to to Manchester, I encountered it twice!
So what's the rules.
First case was in a restricted 50 area, (not that that may matter) with a wide load across lane 1 and into lane 2. No escort, but flashing yellows. Weird thing was, it was a 50 limit and seemed to be doing pretty much 50. But truck in inside lane was doing a bit quicker and of course had other vehicles all around at similar speed, just moved out to lane 3 with the guy in front of me very close indeed it must be said.
Secondly on way back, Eddie stobart truck suddenly indicates and moves into lane 3 as I approach from behind at 70. It was a bit close, to be fair, he would have had lots and lots of time to make the manoeuvre once I'd passed, and it was very much an indicator then go immediately. Reason was a matrix sign showing lane one shut. But as they are across lane one and two, and there were two trucks in those lanes with me approaching, of course I was unsighted on the matrix sign, so it was surprise to suddenly see a truck appear as I closed on him!
Not knowing the rules as such and not having seen it before, the first incident 'seemed' ok to me. But I'm not sure on the second. If lane one is shut, temporarily or otherwise, can trucks use 2 and 3 or just 2?
No drama or beeping of horns occurred nor was warranted, but just thought I'd ask the experts!!
So what's the rules.
First case was in a restricted 50 area, (not that that may matter) with a wide load across lane 1 and into lane 2. No escort, but flashing yellows. Weird thing was, it was a 50 limit and seemed to be doing pretty much 50. But truck in inside lane was doing a bit quicker and of course had other vehicles all around at similar speed, just moved out to lane 3 with the guy in front of me very close indeed it must be said.
Secondly on way back, Eddie stobart truck suddenly indicates and moves into lane 3 as I approach from behind at 70. It was a bit close, to be fair, he would have had lots and lots of time to make the manoeuvre once I'd passed, and it was very much an indicator then go immediately. Reason was a matrix sign showing lane one shut. But as they are across lane one and two, and there were two trucks in those lanes with me approaching, of course I was unsighted on the matrix sign, so it was surprise to suddenly see a truck appear as I closed on him!
Not knowing the rules as such and not having seen it before, the first incident 'seemed' ok to me. But I'm not sure on the second. If lane one is shut, temporarily or otherwise, can trucks use 2 and 3 or just 2?
No drama or beeping of horns occurred nor was warranted, but just thought I'd ask the experts!!
craigjm said:
The rule says -
If you are a driver of an HGV which weighs over 7.5 tonnes, you must not drive in the right hand lane of a motorway if there are three or more lanes.
Therefore if there are no longer three lanes then they can drive in the right hand lane.
So in scenario 1, driver should have just followed the slower wide load? It was slower but, to be fair, not that much below the limit? If you are a driver of an HGV which weighs over 7.5 tonnes, you must not drive in the right hand lane of a motorway if there are three or more lanes.
Therefore if there are no longer three lanes then they can drive in the right hand lane.
And in scenario 2, as stobart driver moved to lane 3 whilst there was three lanes, although the matrix sign did indicate that lane 1 was closed ahead, (no x on matrix just a yellow 'T' shape) and all lanes were open for a mile, should he have not waited ?
True. As I say, no drama or anything, just interested. The stobbart truck's manoeuvre was a bit of a surprise as it was pretty quiet and it was an instant move as soon as the indicator came on. And turned out there was plenty of time to give a bit more notice, but maybe driver thought it was more urgent .
Weird to have seen it twice in one day though. Btw first truck had an 'A' as the country designator on number plate. Austria??
Weird to have seen it twice in one day though. Btw first truck had an 'A' as the country designator on number plate. Austria??
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