M-Way Passing On Left
Discussion
A steady eddie who always keeps left and drives at a constant speed, let us say 70mph.
Scenario, driving along at a steady speed in L1 and see the need to move out to pass a vehicle BUT up ahead in the distance can see "bunching" in L2 and 3 (no brake lights for "miles" simply the MLM) whilst L1 is clear for "miles". Also it is a clear, dry, well surfaced road with no exits or stricken vehicles on the hard shoulder.
Many us may drop back back into nearside lane after overtaking the L1 vehicle and subsequently proceed to pass the L2 and 3 train - with heightened awareness that someone may wake up and may move back to L1.
Interested in views, especially BiB, if this a "no no".
Scenario, driving along at a steady speed in L1 and see the need to move out to pass a vehicle BUT up ahead in the distance can see "bunching" in L2 and 3 (no brake lights for "miles" simply the MLM) whilst L1 is clear for "miles". Also it is a clear, dry, well surfaced road with no exits or stricken vehicles on the hard shoulder.
Many us may drop back back into nearside lane after overtaking the L1 vehicle and subsequently proceed to pass the L2 and 3 train - with heightened awareness that someone may wake up and may move back to L1.
Interested in views, especially BiB, if this a "no no".
I think I'm correct in saying that passing on the left is perfectly acceptable if traffic in other lanes is moving with a similar speed.
So it would seem the dim view of the manoeuvre would be on the speed differential rather than the lane you choose to pass.
The onus is on the driver making any manoeuvre to perform mirror-signal beforehand, which should prevent them from changing lane in to the path of another vehicle.
So it would seem the dim view of the manoeuvre would be on the speed differential rather than the lane you choose to pass.
The onus is on the driver making any manoeuvre to perform mirror-signal beforehand, which should prevent them from changing lane in to the path of another vehicle.
You can't pass on the left if that's why you changed to the inner lane. You can't jump to L1 just to pass traffic.
If you are already in L1, then L2 and L3 slow down, you can continue in L1 even if it means undertaking L2.
Or you can be like the rest of us and use L1 if there is space as the cretins in L2 and L3 are usually oblivious to lane management and need a slap. I've seen plod do this but that doesn't mean plod with a hangover won;t give you a ticket for it.
If you are already in L1, then L2 and L3 slow down, you can continue in L1 even if it means undertaking L2.
Or you can be like the rest of us and use L1 if there is space as the cretins in L2 and L3 are usually oblivious to lane management and need a slap. I've seen plod do this but that doesn't mean plod with a hangover won;t give you a ticket for it.
Atomic12C said:
I think I'm correct in saying that passing on the left is perfectly acceptable if traffic in other lanes is moving with a similar speed.
So it would seem the dim view of the manoeuvre would be on the speed differential rather than the lane you choose to pass.
The onus is on the driver making any manoeuvre to perform mirror-signal beforehand, which should prevent them from changing lane in to the path of another vehicle.
The highway code says that when it's congested you may stay in lane and pass on the left if your lane is going quicker.So it would seem the dim view of the manoeuvre would be on the speed differential rather than the lane you choose to pass.
The onus is on the driver making any manoeuvre to perform mirror-signal beforehand, which should prevent them from changing lane in to the path of another vehicle.
It's all down to interpretation though, since that is really designed for an actual traffic jam, not some prat doing 65 in L3.
George111 said:
You can't pass on the left if that's why you changed to the inner lane. You can't jump to L1 just to pass traffic.
If you are already in L1, then L2 and L3 slow down, you can continue in L1 even if it means undertaking L2.
Or you can be like the rest of us and use L1 if there is space as the cretins in L2 and L3 are usually oblivious to lane management and need a slap. I've seen plod do this but that doesn't mean plod with a hangover won;t give you a ticket for it.
So if you're in lane 3 and stuck in a queue of cars, all of whom are looking to go faster but are being held up by a car at the front of the queue who refuses to move back to lane 2 and lane 1 as soon as possible, then you're a "cretin"?If you are already in L1, then L2 and L3 slow down, you can continue in L1 even if it means undertaking L2.
Or you can be like the rest of us and use L1 if there is space as the cretins in L2 and L3 are usually oblivious to lane management and need a slap. I've seen plod do this but that doesn't mean plod with a hangover won;t give you a ticket for it.
So what are these lane 3 "cretins" supposed to do?
Some sit there there patiently waiting (praying), for the cars at the front to get out of the way, and some get so frustrated that they decide to undertake the train, including the car that has created the train (which more often than not still doesn't tell the driver at the front of the train that they are holding everybody up!
)Sorry but the people stuck in the train of cars are not "cretins" who need to learn lane management - They're trying to use the lanes correctly to overtake cars ahead.
The only "cretin" is the knob at the front of the queue who is creating a blockage by refusing to use the lanes properly, preventing people from overtaking other traffic!
Highway Code said:
Rule 267
Do not overtake unless you are sure it is safe and legal to do so. Overtake only on the right. You should
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.
Do not overtake unless you are sure it is safe and legal to do so. Overtake only on the right. You should
- check your mirrors
- take time to judge the speeds correctly
- make sure that the lane you will be joining is sufficiently clear ahead and behind
- take a quick sideways glance into the blind spot area to verify the position of a vehicle that may have disappeared from your view in the mirror
- remember that traffic may be coming up behind you very quickly. Check all your mirrors carefully. Look out for motorcyclists. When it is safe to do so, signal in plenty of time, then move out
- ensure you do not cut in on the vehicle you have overtaken
- be especially careful at night and in poor visibility when it is harder to judge speed and distance.
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.
Cat
The overtaking rule in the Highway Code probably dates back to when there was 50% less traffic on the motorway so easier to obey.
Now it seems it is a bit of a free for all!
Try as you might to observe the Highway Code it is very difficult due to others I'll discipline and lack of consideration for others.
Now it seems it is a bit of a free for all!
Try as you might to observe the Highway Code it is very difficult due to others I'll discipline and lack of consideration for others.
4rephill said:
George111 said:
You can't pass on the left if that's why you changed to the inner lane. You can't jump to L1 just to pass traffic.
If you are already in L1, then L2 and L3 slow down, you can continue in L1 even if it means undertaking L2.
Or you can be like the rest of us and use L1 if there is space as the cretins in L2 and L3 are usually oblivious to lane management and need a slap. I've seen plod do this but that doesn't mean plod with a hangover won;t give you a ticket for it.
So if you're in lane 3 and stuck in a queue of cars, all of whom are looking to go faster but are being held up by a car at the front of the queue who refuses to move back to lane 2 and lane 1 as soon as possible, then you're a "cretin"?If you are already in L1, then L2 and L3 slow down, you can continue in L1 even if it means undertaking L2.
Or you can be like the rest of us and use L1 if there is space as the cretins in L2 and L3 are usually oblivious to lane management and need a slap. I've seen plod do this but that doesn't mean plod with a hangover won;t give you a ticket for it.
So what are these lane 3 "cretins" supposed to do?
Some sit there there patiently waiting (praying), for the cars at the front to get out of the way, and some get so frustrated that they decide to undertake the train, including the car that has created the train (which more often than not still doesn't tell the driver at the front of the train that they are holding everybody up!
)Sorry but the people stuck in the train of cars are not "cretins" who need to learn lane management - They're trying to use the lanes correctly to overtake cars ahead.
The only "cretin" is the knob at the front of the queue who is creating a blockage by refusing to use the lanes properly, preventing people from overtaking other traffic!
You do know, don't you, that you don't HAVE to follow the car in front . . . you can choose which lane to drive in . . . or had you forgotten ? Treat this as a reminder and go forth and drive multiply on the lanes of that motorway . . .
I mostly ignore the no passing on left rule now. I give them time to move left and will put rh indicator on and give pently of space and light tap of high beam. If nothing happens and lane to left is clear I move left and resume progress whilst making sure I have an escape plan in case they try move left into me.
frankenstein12 said:
I mostly ignore the no passing on left rule now. I give them time to move left and will put rh indicator on and give pently of space and light tap of high beam. If nothing happens and lane to left is clear I move left and resume progress whilst making sure I have an escape plan in case they try move left into me.
Try doing this in a bright red Porsche. They WILL move left on you.In general I only pass on the left according to the Highway Code - i.e. in traffic the left lane is moving faster than the lanes to the right.
WaferThinHam said:
Undertake at will, just don't get caught.
Yeah, that ^^I'm not waiting for MLMs to move if there are clear lanes inside.
Make sure there does not appear to be any BiB or car that look like they might be undercover BiB, then proceed to overtake on the inside with due caution.
I overtook about 20 cars this morning. Me in lane 1, the other 20 cars in lanes 3 and 4. I had a clear lane between me and the other cars when I sailed by on the inside. None of them pulled in afterwards. I didn't meet anything in lane 1 until an HGV about 1/2 mile later.
frankenstein12 said:
light tap of high beam.
I stopped doing that a few years ago as it was deemed to be an act of aggression by so many people . . . all it meant was "I'm hear and would like to go faster please". I suspect we've bred a bunch of humans with no spines and being reminded that they do have a responsibility to drive sensibly and not dissolve into a bubble of radio 4 euphoria when driving does alarm them . . . who are we to ask to be permitted to use the roads !Gargamel said:
Sorr that advice in the Highway Code is contradicted by smart motorways advising you to stay in lane.
Not really - the gantry signs are only on when there's congestion, so as soon as the lights go on, passing on the left by staying in lane should be automatically allowed. George111 said:
frankenstein12 said:
light tap of high beam.
I stopped doing that a few years ago as it was deemed to be an act of aggression by so many people . . . all it meant was "I'm hear and would like to go faster please". I suspect we've bred a bunch of humans with no spines and being reminded that they do have a responsibility to drive sensibly and not dissolve into a bubble of radio 4 euphoria when driving does alarm them . . . who are we to ask to be permitted to use the roads !So to give a scenario
3 lanes light traffic. As you approach in middle lane (vehicles in lane 1 making it pointless to be in lane 1)for ex you spot doofus daydreaming half a mile up the road in lane 3 with lane 2 and 1 clear to their left.
At roughly half a mile move right into L3 maintain closing speed (lets assume you are 85-90 they are 75). If you can see that if you maintain speed you will get to them at the same time the lane to their left will have loads of space to move left give a rh indicator on and light tap on beam.
At quarter of a mile lift off and feather throttle till you are about 10-15m behind them.Maintain position. If lane to left is clear rh indicator on light double tap. No response give it a minute then when clear move left pass on inside.
If you don't have run up same rules apply as second half. Move right at 10-15m behind. When a gap opens left if they don't move RH indicator on. If they don't move left double tap beam. No action if safe move left and pass.
100% key to not coming across as a total bullying dick is to sit well back more than the 2 car length rule. I use the idea in my mind that if I was looking in their rear view mirror how much of my car and the road could I see. If I cannot see clear tarmak between cars I am too close and aggressive.
Doesnt always work every once in a blue moon you get a police officer wannebe who will just sit there and then when you try pass left will try cut you off or the other favourite is they will speed up to match your pass and stop you passing them.
4rephill said:
So if you're in lane 3 and stuck in a queue of cars, all of whom are looking to go faster but are being held up by a car at the front of the queue who refuses to move back to lane 2 and lane 1 as soon as possible, then you're a "cretin"?
So what are these lane 3 "cretins" supposed to do?
Some sit there there patiently waiting (praying), for the cars at the front to get out of the way, and some get so frustrated that they decide to undertake the train, including the car that has created the train (which more often than not still doesn't tell the driver at the front of the train that they are holding everybody up! )
Sorry but the people stuck in the train of cars are not "cretins" who need to learn lane management - They're trying to use the lanes correctly to overtake cars ahead.
The only "cretin" is the knob at the front of the queue who is creating a blockage by refusing to use the lanes properly, preventing people from overtaking other traffic!
As the people sat in lane 3 are not overtaking and there is a huge empty lane next to them, by simple definition they are Middle Lane Hoggers.So what are these lane 3 "cretins" supposed to do?
Some sit there there patiently waiting (praying), for the cars at the front to get out of the way, and some get so frustrated that they decide to undertake the train, including the car that has created the train (which more often than not still doesn't tell the driver at the front of the train that they are holding everybody up!
)Sorry but the people stuck in the train of cars are not "cretins" who need to learn lane management - They're trying to use the lanes correctly to overtake cars ahead.
The only "cretin" is the knob at the front of the queue who is creating a blockage by refusing to use the lanes properly, preventing people from overtaking other traffic!
But event worse, they are creating the MLH behaviour.
When the "cretin" at the front gets past the truck they want to overtake and there is a 500 metre gap before the next truck that needs overtaking, do they -
a. Move left; or
b. Stay in lane 3, as the last time they pulled over the queue of RLHs in lane three driving nose to tail objected to them pulling out.
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