What is the law / highway code regarding....
Discussion
Let's assume (hypothetically) that there is a Nissan Micra (with "little angel" on board) doing 40mph in the fast lane of a dual carriageway because, presumably, the doting mother is planning on turning right at a roundabout two miles down the road. Would it be unreasonable to 'undertake' said car?
srebbe64 said:
Let's assume (hypothetically) that there is a Nissan Micra (with "little angel" on board) doing 40mph in the fast lane of a dual carriageway because, presumably, the doting mother is planning on turning right at a roundabout two miles down the road. Would it be unreasonable to 'undertake' said car?
It would not, in my book, be unreasonable. My book does not always tally up with the law.
srebbe64 said:
'undertake'
"Overtake on the inside".You are still passing them by travelling faster. If you were in one lane and slowed to ensure that they passed you, that might more logically be termed "undertaking".
Although "undertake them" to me means to bury them post mortem, so it's perhaps a little harsh.
My understanding of how things should happen in terms of the Highway Code in that situation is that you should approach behind her, sound your horn to alert her to your presence, whereupon she should move over to the left (where she should be anyway).
Is what she's doing technically not "driving without due care and attention"? She's causing you to have to alter your speed and course - if you did such a thing on your driving test, you'd get at least a minor fault recorded, possibly major subject to the amount you've caused another road user to alter course or speed by.
Somebody else driving poorly does not entitle you to do the same; you should not pass on the inside of somebody in such circumstances is my understanding of the HC.
Edited by Zwolf on Saturday 8th September 19:00
Two points:
1. There is no such thing as a "fast lane" in the UK road network.
2. If the left-hand lane is clear: why are you in the right-hand lane?
It is not considered to be undertaking if you are simply keeping up with traffic in your lane and it just happens to be moving faster than the lane(s) to your right.
1. There is no such thing as a "fast lane" in the UK road network.
2. If the left-hand lane is clear: why are you in the right-hand lane?
It is not considered to be undertaking if you are simply keeping up with traffic in your lane and it just happens to be moving faster than the lane(s) to your right.
I think if you barrel up behind them, then swerve left, accelerate hard and pull back over then it'd be cause for concern. If you continue at or below the speed limit on the inside it's generally OK. I've done the latter before in full view of traffic police, I was more concerned with them pulling the slower car for being in the wrong lane than getting a pull from my driving
andy-xr said:
I think if you barrel up behind them, then swerve left, accelerate hard and pull back over then it'd be cause for concern. If you continue at or below the speed limit on the inside it's generally OK. I've done the latter before in full view of traffic police, I was more concerned with them pulling the slower car for being in the wrong lane than getting a pull from my driving
This is my approach. If you come up behind and they don't 'yield' then move left and speed match behind them for a minute perhaps. If they are still there move past but be wary of them waking up.
barker22 said:
This is my approach.
If you come up behind and they don't 'yield' then move left and speed match behind them for a minute perhaps. If they are still there move past but be wary of them waking up.
Mine too.If you come up behind and they don't 'yield' then move left and speed match behind them for a minute perhaps. If they are still there move past but be wary of them waking up.
I think, unless you are being an aggressive tool about it you should be fine.
R0G said:
If your observations on the approach to the car in the outer lane leave you postive that it will remain there then pass it on the left - that is not illegal
The legal onus is on any vehicle which changes lanes unsafely should an incident occur
Exactly, assuming the outside lane is clear you should see that from a fair distance back and stay in lane.The legal onus is on any vehicle which changes lanes unsafely should an incident occur
would this not be correct then? 
(30 seconds onwards) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNEK3OIJqh4
Seemed to work for Max!
(30 seconds onwards) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNEK3OIJqh4Seemed to work for Max!
Now this poses a quandrum for Plod.
On one hand he has a micra driver committing the offence of driving without reasonable consideration for other road users providing there is no advance signing to use the offside lane for a right turn.
On the other hand there is the possiblity of dangerous driving/careless driving by undertaking. But here there will have to be some evidence of banging up to the rear and swerving to the nearside overtake etc. This is'nt always present when one gently continues down the nearside lane amd passes at a speed slightly faster than the one on the outside.
Hard call but I doubt without evidence I doubt CPS would run it.
dvd
On one hand he has a micra driver committing the offence of driving without reasonable consideration for other road users providing there is no advance signing to use the offside lane for a right turn.
On the other hand there is the possiblity of dangerous driving/careless driving by undertaking. But here there will have to be some evidence of banging up to the rear and swerving to the nearside overtake etc. This is'nt always present when one gently continues down the nearside lane amd passes at a speed slightly faster than the one on the outside.
Hard call but I doubt without evidence I doubt CPS would run it.
dvd
Dwight VanDriver said:
Now this poses a quandrum for Plod.
On one hand he has a micra driver committing the offence of driving without reasonable consideration for other road users providing there is no advance signing to use the offside lane for a right turn.
On the other hand there is the possiblity of dangerous driving/careless driving by undertaking. But here there will have to be some evidence of banging up to the rear and swerving to the nearside overtake etc. This is'nt always present when one gently continues down the nearside lane amd passes at a speed slightly faster than the one on the outside.
Hard call but I doubt without evidence I doubt CPS would run it.
dvd
Indeed. And, if the Micra driver is proven to be turning right at some future instance does the situation change from "passing on the left" to being "in the correct lane for straight on compared to a driver turning right"On one hand he has a micra driver committing the offence of driving without reasonable consideration for other road users providing there is no advance signing to use the offside lane for a right turn.
On the other hand there is the possiblity of dangerous driving/careless driving by undertaking. But here there will have to be some evidence of banging up to the rear and swerving to the nearside overtake etc. This is'nt always present when one gently continues down the nearside lane amd passes at a speed slightly faster than the one on the outside.
Hard call but I doubt without evidence I doubt CPS would run it.
dvd
I had the same instance on a DC when I was following two police cars. Approaching a roundabout the front PC indicated right and both cars moved to the right hand lane. I moved to the left lane and proceeded straight on at the roundabout. The first PC turned right at the roundabout, the second car went straight on a pulled me over shortly after.
I think the first thing I said after he told me why he'd pulled me were, "you're having a laugh"
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