What is the definition of undertaking
What is the definition of undertaking
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Discussion

bermyandy

Original Poster:

2,050 posts

248 months

Tuesday 23rd May 2006
quotequote all
Now, i am aware that if i were in the outside lane of a motorway, and pulled left to get passed someone in front of me on the motorway, then this would be classed as undertaking.

However, if i were pulling up to a set of traffic lights on red, and the outside two lanes were 5 deep, and the left hand bus lane (but outside of bus lane hours) was empty, then would this be undertaking?

V8 Archie

4,703 posts

278 months

Tuesday 23rd May 2006
quotequote all
Highway Code said:
139: Overtake only when it is safe to do so. You should... stay in your lane if traffic is moving slowly in queues. If the queue on your right is moving more slowly than you are, you may pass on the left.
This is a rule I make full use of as nowhere is the phrase "moving slowly in queues" defined.

Some might same that a queue is moving slowly if it is moving significantly slower than they wish to.

Others might claim that it is possible to have a queue of one vehicle.

7db

6,060 posts

260 months

Tuesday 23rd May 2006
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Is this time to mention the meeting I had with a funeral director yesterday?

bermyandy

Original Poster:

2,050 posts

248 months

Tuesday 23rd May 2006
quotequote all
Think so..

Nic Jones

7,189 posts

250 months

Tuesday 23rd May 2006
quotequote all
So in theory I'm in the inside lane oding a steady 70mph, middle lane numpties/impatient 3rd lane numpties decide to slow to 65mph, I'm within my rights to undertake in lane 1 (obviously paying serious attention to middle lane clubas I go).

Is that right? Bloody hope so

Crippo

1,364 posts

250 months

Tuesday 23rd May 2006
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Absolutely

This is an example of good driving. I have done it for 17 years.

Nic Jones

7,189 posts

250 months

Tuesday 23rd May 2006
quotequote all
Excellent, certainly upset a few people on the M4 Sunday evening by doing this more than once when the crawler lanes were empty and everyone else was doing about 60 in lanes 3 and 4!

bermyandy

Original Poster:

2,050 posts

248 months

Tuesday 23rd May 2006
quotequote all
Me too - more so in heavy traffic though - slow lane always seems to flow better, whereas everyone is trying to cram in to the outside lane despite the long line of brake lights

GTWayne

4,595 posts

247 months

Tuesday 23rd May 2006
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Imay be wrong, but I thought it entailed the preperation of a dead body and putting it into a box?

wiggy001

7,382 posts

301 months

Tuesday 23rd May 2006
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"Classed as undertaking"?

It's not an offence...

v15ben

16,226 posts

271 months

Tuesday 23rd May 2006
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Crippo said:
Absolutely

This is an example of good driving. I have done it for 17 years.


It is for me too - I have given up on pulling right across the motorway just to overtake some numpty who can't be bothered moving to the inside lane. I actually undertook a MLM the other day and they proceeded to pull into the totally empty OUTSIDE lane! Unbelievable

bermyandy

Original Poster:

2,050 posts

248 months

Tuesday 23rd May 2006
quotequote all
wiggy001 said:
"Classed as undertaking"?

It's not an offence...

eh?

7db

6,060 posts

260 months

Tuesday 23rd May 2006
quotequote all
The offence as charged is careless driving.

V8 Archie

4,703 posts

278 months

Tuesday 23rd May 2006
quotequote all
7db said:
The offence as charged is careless driving.
What you mean is that it is not an offence in itself but that the BiB tend to take a dim view of it. Careless driving is the only thing they can get you on, but if you get the wrong BiB they will.

The best advice is not to take the ps when BiB are about.

>> Edited by V8 Archie on Tuesday 23 May 23:41

J1mmyD

1,823 posts

249 months

Tuesday 23rd May 2006
quotequote all
Nic Jones said:
So in theory I'm in the inside lane oding a steady 70mph, middle lane numpties/impatient 3rd lane numpties decide to slow to 65mph, I'm within my rights to undertake in lane 1 (obviously paying serious attention to middle lane clubas I go).

Is that right? Bloody hope so


This is only my understanding, but yes and I do it often too (M1 queues). If ever questioned on it, that would be the argument I'd put forward. But it should go without saying that you should be ready every moment to jam the anchors on if some muppet decides to pull back in on you .. so keep your speed differential down .... and if you're moving at less than 50mph, watch the mirrors for suicidal bikers too.

7db

6,060 posts

260 months

Tuesday 23rd May 2006
quotequote all
They would struggle to make a careless charge stick unless it was clear that you pulled in a lane, passed someone and pulled back out again, as I understand the case law. I could be wrong, and a charge of careless is always open to interpretation on consideration of *all* the conditions.

Using the incorrect lane (for example at lights) to gain an advantage over other motorists is an example of careless driving, however.

V8 Archie

4,703 posts

278 months

Wednesday 24th May 2006
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Strange that BiB use careless driving to get people for considered actions isn't it. I'm not saying that the actions are safe, but they are definitely thought about.