Discussion
Probably a stupid question
Not long ago on a 4 lane stretch of M25 at 00:30-13:00, the 3 inside lanes had red 'X's on the gantry signs and the 4th (fast) lane was flashing '50'... so I sat in that lane at 50mph.
Where these lanes actually closed?
After about twenty (boring) minutes something hurtled up behind me flashing high beams, forcing me into what I thought to be a closed lane and shot past disappearing into the distance so fast I didn't even have time to see what colour it was let alone what make of car.
I moved back into the 'open' lane until approx' 5 minutes later I reached the cones and workers in reflective gear the lanes had apparently been closed to protect.
I'm almost certain I was right to be sitting in the fast lane at the temporary 50mph and the 'flasher' was a git
But I still wonder... should I have remained in a lane over to the left until I actually reached the works?
Neal
Not long ago on a 4 lane stretch of M25 at 00:30-13:00, the 3 inside lanes had red 'X's on the gantry signs and the 4th (fast) lane was flashing '50'... so I sat in that lane at 50mph.
Where these lanes actually closed?
After about twenty (boring) minutes something hurtled up behind me flashing high beams, forcing me into what I thought to be a closed lane and shot past disappearing into the distance so fast I didn't even have time to see what colour it was let alone what make of car.
I moved back into the 'open' lane until approx' 5 minutes later I reached the cones and workers in reflective gear the lanes had apparently been closed to protect.
I'm almost certain I was right to be sitting in the fast lane at the temporary 50mph and the 'flasher' was a git
But I still wonder... should I have remained in a lane over to the left until I actually reached the works?
Neal
Edited by real4star on Monday 26th November 01:50
From the HC:
"258
Red flashing lights. If red lights on the overhead signals flash above your lane and a red ‘X’ is showing, you MUST NOT go beyond the signal in that lane. If red lights flash on a signal in the central reservation or at the side of the road, you MUST NOT go beyond the signal in any lane.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10 & 38"
You were correct. You shouldn't have moved into the closed lane to accommodate them though. Also no such thing as the 'fast lane'.
"258
Red flashing lights. If red lights on the overhead signals flash above your lane and a red ‘X’ is showing, you MUST NOT go beyond the signal in that lane. If red lights flash on a signal in the central reservation or at the side of the road, you MUST NOT go beyond the signal in any lane.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10 & 38"
You were correct. You shouldn't have moved into the closed lane to accommodate them though. Also no such thing as the 'fast lane'.
This is one of these situations where you're in the right but it causes a lot less aggravation if you disobey the law and do what you did. If I decide to observe the limit in these situations I always move over into the "closed" lane to let people through because there's always plenty of time to move back over and it just makes everyone's life a lot easier.
simoid said:
Stick your right indicator on if someone flashes their lights behind you.
I wouldn't be going in a lane with a mandatory red X, you never know when there's a copper about looking to dish out some fines.
Or a roadworker who isn't expecting you.
Why? I'd be inclined to ignore them in that scenario. On the M25, they'll just undertake you if they think they'll be held up by more than 30 nanoseconds, handily making them the one in the wrong.I wouldn't be going in a lane with a mandatory red X, you never know when there's a copper about looking to dish out some fines.
Or a roadworker who isn't expecting you.
abbotsmike said:
simoid said:
Stick your right indicator on if someone flashes their lights behind you.
I wouldn't be going in a lane with a mandatory red X, you never know when there's a copper about looking to dish out some fines.
Or a roadworker who isn't expecting you.
Why? I'd be inclined to ignore them in that scenario. On the M25, they'll just undertake you if they think they'll be held up by more than 30 nanoseconds, handily making them the one in the wrong.I wouldn't be going in a lane with a mandatory red X, you never know when there's a copper about looking to dish out some fines.
Or a roadworker who isn't expecting you.
Stick right indicator on in the same way as you'd indicate left to perhaps allow for overtaking.
You are right, those lanes are closed and you must NOT enter them. If the idiot behind you wants to go into them and run the risk then let them run the risk not you!!
Red X's are enforced, so if your seen by BiB odds on you'll be stopped!!
Once the roadworks are set out the gantries should be cleared.
Red X's are enforced, so if your seen by BiB odds on you'll be stopped!!
Once the roadworks are set out the gantries should be cleared.
simoid said:
So the driver behind knows that you're deliberately in that lane, are not juet a moron.
Stick right indicator on in the same way as you'd indicate left to perhaps allow for overtaking.
Fairy 'nuff. I suspect that the end result would still be them undertaking though! And also, if I saw someone in the outside lane indicating right, I'd be wondering if they forgot to cancel the indicator, weren't really thinking about what they were doing, or were about to try and overtake the central reservation!Stick right indicator on in the same way as you'd indicate left to perhaps allow for overtaking.
abbotsmike said:
simoid said:
So the driver behind knows that you're deliberately in that lane, are not juet a moron.
Stick right indicator on in the same way as you'd indicate left to perhaps allow for overtaking.
Fairy 'nuff. I suspect that the end result would still be them undertaking though! And also, if I saw someone in the outside lane indicating right, I'd be wondering if they forgot to cancel the indicator, weren't really thinking about what they were doing, or were about to try and overtake the central reservation!Stick right indicator on in the same way as you'd indicate left to perhaps allow for overtaking.
I was thinking of a scenario when I'm going up lane 4, at the speed limit, because lanes 1, 2 and 3 are closed. Someone appears on my backside flashing their lights at me, apparently thinking that I should get out of the way and that I am a numpty.
Sticking my right indicator on might confirm to them that I am not moving from the only legal lane, and am making a conscious decision to be in lane 4, allowing them greater certainty to pass me as they see fit, or realise that I'm not shifting
simoid said:
I was thinking of a scenario when I'm going up lane 4, at the speed limit, because lanes 1, 2 and 3 are closed. Someone appears on my backside flashing their lights at me, apparently thinking that I should get out of the way and that I am a numpty.
Sticking my right indicator on might confirm to them that I am not moving from the only legal lane, and am making a conscious decision to be in lane 4, allowing them greater certainty to pass me as they see fit, or realise that I'm not shifting
Geekman said:
This is one of these situations where you're in the right but it causes a lot less aggravation if you disobey the law and do what you did. If I decide to observe the limit in these situations I always move over into the "closed" lane to let people through because there's always plenty of time to move back over and it just makes everyone's life a lot easier.
I once saw a red X over L3 somewhere on the M4 a few years back. Those of us looking far enough ahead could see the car on its roof. Those who 'knew better' didn't have a lot of time to get out of the way. R0G said:
simoid said:
I was thinking of a scenario when I'm going up lane 4, at the speed limit, because lanes 1, 2 and 3 are closed. Someone appears on my backside flashing their lights at me, apparently thinking that I should get out of the way and that I am a numpty.
Sticking my right indicator on might confirm to them that I am not moving from the only legal lane, and am making a conscious decision to be in lane 4, allowing them greater certainty to pass me as they see fit, or realise that I'm not shifting
Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff