Do you filter past traffic islands on wrong side of road?

[Codswallop]

If the road is too narrow to get past a vehicle that's waiting next to the traffic island, and you know traffic will be stationery for a long period (eg. busy train level crossing), would you wait, or filter past on the other side if safe to do so?

Example photo of said obstruction.



Being a bike newcomer, I filtered upto the island and waited, while other bikers didn't. What's the correct/ legal standing?

[Zachlain]

I think you should wait until you have passed the island.
Not sure on the legal standing, but if there was a collision while you were filtering through on wrong side of island then you would be apportioned most of the blame.

Also, pedestrians may not expect something coming towards them the wrong side of the road, and may step out without looking at you.

[Hooli]

42.

Legally you need to wait to keep left of the island, normally I can find a gap to slot into as I approach them. Occasionally, when the mood takes me I'll just go the wrong side if I can see it's safe to do so.

[btdk5]

If its clear why wait??

[Andy XRV]

That is a big no no and if Mr Plod see's anyone do it they WILL get nicked.

[Zachlain]

btdk5 said:

If its clear why wait??

Because in that picture there looks to be a road junction (where some people are walking). There is a possibility that a person may come out and join left onto the main road without looking right, and as such, will turn straight into your path.

[RemaL]

Andy XRV said:

That is a big no no and if Mr Plod see's anyone do it they WILL get nicked.

Was just about to say that, I have never and seen some tt in his car do that last night. retard

[anonymous-user]

As a rule no, although there is one island I regularily filter on the wrong side (top of A501 City Road) where it literally becomes a parking lot sometimes.

And a friend of mine was pulled by the cops for filtering on the wrong site of an island on the way to work in the morning an got a ticket. Seems they do not like it at all. The also breathalised him

[trickywoo]

I think plod can do you for dangerous driving on this.

[3DP]

I do - I practice common sense road usage.

Plus there is a little part of me that does this each time :



ETA - In the OP's picture I wouldn't there as with lowered curbs it's a crossing point and a little too dangerous for pedestrians. I'm talking about the 95% of Keep Lefts that are pointless dangerous road furniture added by councils trying to spend their budgets.

Edited by 3DP on Tuesday 6th November 14:28

[MrKipling43]

I'd wait. Not worth the risk, IMO. Of getting nicked that is. Seems like the kind of thing you could REALLY pay for if you caught plod in a bad mood. My next insurance quote does not need 'dangerous driving' added to three (possibly six) points.

[hornetrider]

fk no. I'll do a lot on a bike re: NSL but never double whites or that.

[balls-out]

Legally its a definate NO-NO and will get you points.
In practice it can be done safely with good observation, in much the same way there are places where some idiot has put double white lines in the middle of the road, buts its still safe to overtake.

[pork911]

that isn't filtering

[Andy XRV]

3DP said:

I'm talking about the 95% of Keep Lefts that are pointless dangerous road furniture added by councils trying to spend their budgets.

Don't forget that councils also waste their budgets on CCTV cameras to enforce their ill thought out traffic control measures.

http://www.ktmforum.co.uk/supermoto/10583-camden-t...

[Prof Prolapse]

Never seen the problem with anybody, car or otherwise, going around these if they can see it's clear and safe to do so. There's no inherent danger in a little kerb.... Or crossing a double solid white lines for that matter.

I wonder if those on soapboxes, are also as keen to adhere to speed limits imposed in the same highway code? Or can explain why we use are OK to apply common sense in some aspects of our riding and not in others?

[y2blade]

Nope.

[trickywoo]

Prof Prolapse said:

I wonder if those on soapboxes, are also as keen to adhere to speed limits imposed in the same highway code? Or can explain why we use are OK to apply common sense in some aspects of our riding and not in others?

I could be wrong but I thought in the eyes of the law this isn't seen as much different than going the wrong way round a roundabout which is dangerous driving.

On that basis its a lot more serious than speeding (depending on how much over the limit).

[Prof Prolapse]

From the above it sounds like it is quite a serious offence but I'm not disputing it's legality...

If you don't do it because you fear the consequences (like myself if I'm honest, I can't be arsed with the worry for such little gain) then that's one thing, but it's entirely different from not doing it because you consider it reckless to do so irrespective of circumstance. Which I struggle to understand...

(Not baiting or anything...)

[MrKipling43]

Prof Prolapse said:

Or can explain why we use are OK to apply common sense in some aspects of our riding and not in others?

Surely common sense has to include some kind of risk of getting a royal bking vs benefit equation? I just think of how hard I'd be kicking myself if I got nicked for that!

ETA: pretty much what you just said then, Prof!