Traffic filtering
Discussion
One for you nice law enforcement chaps.
What does the law say regarding filtering traffic, on a motorway or otherwise?
Is it legal/illegal, if it's legal, what are the guidelines?
Having spoken to a colleague who's taking his IAM observer's exam, he's under the impression that it's legal providing you don't travel at more than 15mph above the speed of the ambient traffic.
What does the law say regarding filtering traffic, on a motorway or otherwise?
Is it legal/illegal, if it's legal, what are the guidelines?
Having spoken to a colleague who's taking his IAM observer's exam, he's under the impression that it's legal providing you don't travel at more than 15mph above the speed of the ambient traffic.
Filtering is legal. I'm not sure there are any fixed figures for speed above the underlying traffic speed but you might get pulled over for a chat if a trafpol thinks your going too fast.
However, if you are in an accident whilst filtering you will probably be found to be the one at fault.
It's also one of the most dangerous manouvers so be very careful when doing it. Watch out for the movement of steering wheels which is the first indication that are car is about to change direction. Watch out for people leaning as if they are trying to look around the vehicles in front as that usually preceeds the wheel moving. Watch the front wheels of vehicles (especially if you can't do the two above) as they are your last warning before the vehicle actually changes direction.
However, if you are in an accident whilst filtering you will probably be found to be the one at fault.
It's also one of the most dangerous manouvers so be very careful when doing it. Watch out for the movement of steering wheels which is the first indication that are car is about to change direction. Watch out for people leaning as if they are trying to look around the vehicles in front as that usually preceeds the wheel moving. Watch the front wheels of vehicles (especially if you can't do the two above) as they are your last warning before the vehicle actually changes direction.
Sorry, didn't mean to preach to the converted as it were. Just offering some, hopefully, useful advice on technique for anyone not confident with doing it 
.
Oh, I was told the law on filtering by my original instructors, the IAM and by a Police motorcyclist who was my IAM examiner. So I am fairly sure I'm correct. (NB: The advice I gave on technique came from the last two
). Although I await on of the BiB to correct me
. Oh, I was told the law on filtering by my original instructors, the IAM and by a Police motorcyclist who was my IAM examiner. So I am fairly sure I'm correct. (NB: The advice I gave on technique came from the last two
). Although I await on of the BiB to correct me Stig said:It's probably more like selve preservation kicking in. That's why I did the IAM bike course.
No worries mate, any advice is welcome.
Btw. Am doing the Bikesafe course next week with a view to taking the IAM test in the future.
I seem to have become 'grown up' all of a sudden
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