Undertaking is the new Overtaking

[Gingerbread Man]

I have long since become weary of this lane reversal, and now will aim to 'move back in' after an overtake to an empty lane one and continue at a cruise. Normally results in me going past the other lanes. Yes you'll come across a lorry now and then, but i'd rather undertake people cautiously and have 3 miles of stopping distance than play silly buggers in lane 2 or 3.

[brisel]

I really don't agree with undertaking - if everyone were taught that it was perfectly ok, like it is in the US, then fair enough. Few motorists look around them enough when changing lane as it is.

I get enough trouble when rumbling along the motorway on cruise control. The slightly slower drivers on my inside frequently vary their speed according to the seriousness of their phone call, how crumbly/messy their snack is etc. THEN they look at me like I'M the one playing silly b*ggers

Perhaps I should set the cruise at 70 mph instead...

When I'm not using cruise control [cough] I use the tried and tested headlight flash method to encourage them to move over. Ok, so I get brake tested occasionally, but at least it makes them aware that there is someone other than them in the universe who likes to get on with it. They always move over in the end once they realise that they can't outrun my R32 with their low-spec rep-mobile.

[Glassman]

brisel said:

They always move over in the end once they realise that they can't outrun my R32 with their low-spec rep-mobile.

Hmmm, maybe the case with you, but I find that once the car in front realises that you want to pass them (like, move over) they tend to make it their sole purpose in life to slow you down and not let you pass; in lane three, two or even one if he's a real d*ckhead.

[brisel]

True. I get the odd feckwit who is that bloody minded occasionally. Best let them be - I have yet to come across someone who does this at a speed that might be lower than the speed limit, so I don't provoke an escalation.

They already have enough unresolved personal issues without me adding to them :grin:

They get bored eventually! The last time it happened, the bloke behind me didn't have quite as much patience so I let him pass and he made his displeasure known. The idiot in front did give in in the end by pulling into a service station.

Not a bad spectator sport either, even if it is rather dangerous!

[Vipers]

Big Rod said:

I use lane 1 most of the time. As a result I end up, (and I hate the term!), undertaking quite a lot. !

I am not sure if that actually is "undertaking", I always thought undertaking was when you changed lanes to the left to pass someone in front of you, then pulled back out again.

If you are in L1, and happen to be going faster than those in L2, and pass them in L1, I didnt think that was undertaking, no doubt someone on here will confirm, or educate me otherwise.

[TripleS]

Vipers said:

Big Rod said:

I use lane 1 most of the time. As a result I end up, (and I hate the term!), undertaking quite a lot. !

I am not sure if that actually is "undertaking", I always thought undertaking was when you changed lanes to the left to pass someone in front of you, then pulled back out again.

If you are in L1, and happen to be going faster than those in L2, and pass them in L1, I didnt think that was undertaking, no doubt someone on here will confirm, or educate me otherwise.

The guidance provided by the Highway Code doesn't seem entirely clear on this. I must read it again more carefully but the impression I gained was that overtaking on the left is OK when the traffic is moving slowly in queues. This still leaves me wondering how slowly the traffic needs to be moving, and what degree of congestion is envisaged, for this to be acceptable.

I think you're right though, Colin, in your reference to diving into a lane on the left for the specific purpose of passing another vehicle. As I understand it that will get you nicked if a Traffic Officer sees you do it.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[UK_WS6]

Glassman said:

brisel said:

They always move over in the end once they realise that they can't outrun my R32 with their low-spec rep-mobile.

Hmmm, maybe the case with you, but I find that once the car in front realises that you want to pass them (like, move over) they tend to make it their sole purpose in life to slow you down and not let you pass; in lane three, two or even one if he's a real d*ckhead.

,
,
I was in a good friends car of mine a few months back on the M62, and we are making good progress, probably about 80 ~ 85 then comes up against this repmobile Vectra,
Numpty just wouldnt move over, as he thought 77 mph was fast enough, so we hold behind him for perhaps 20 to 30 seconds, and go to undertake in lane 2, bugger swerves into lane 2, then pulls back into lane 3 WTF!!!
My mate really sh!!ted him out and actually nudged him at 80 mph, I kid you not.
gentle nudge on the plastic bumbers, then he moved, and stayed in lane 2.
I just kaked my pants.

[nubbin.]

UK_WS6 said:

Glassman said:

brisel said:

They always move over in the end once they realise that they can't outrun my R32 with their low-spec rep-mobile.

Hmmm, maybe the case with you, but I find that once the car in front realises that you want to pass them (like, move over) they tend to make it their sole purpose in life to slow you down and not let you pass; in lane three, two or even one if he's a real d*ckhead.

,
,
I was in a good friends car of mine a few months back on the M62, and we are making good progress, probably about 80 ~ 85 then comes up against this repmobile Vectra,
Numpty just wouldnt move over, as he thought 77 mph was fast enough, so we hold behind him for perhaps 20 to 30 seconds, and go to undertake in lane 2, bugger swerves into lane 2, then pulls back into lane 3 WTF!!!
My mate really sh!!ted him out and actually nudged him at 80 mph, I kid you not.
gentle nudge on the plastic bumbers, then he moved, and stayed in lane 2.
I just kaked my pants.

Your friend needs to have some serious behavioural therapy, take some driving lessons, and visit a hospital to check out some victims of RTAs. There is never a circumstance where it is correct to deliberately make contact with another car - NEVER - especially at high speed. He is a danger to himself, you, and other road users. Does he really think his frustration justifies such insane action? Driving is not a ing macho competition. What a plonker!

[UK_WS6]

Even though we were good friends, I think we were only the once on a motorway.
Generally just around town, or in my car.
I couldn't believe it !
I first thought he was just going to "tail-gate" him perhaps a yard or two behind, but when the two yars became one yard, then the one yard, started deminishing, I thought OH F!@#K,
And sure enough, he just simply nudged him,
He was like, this is NORMAL,!
Definatly won't drive in his car on the motorway again ! thats for sure.

[Alfanatic]

nubbin. said:

Your friend needs to have some serious behavioural therapy, take some driving lessons, and visit a hospital to check out some victims of RTAs. There is never a circumstance where it is correct to deliberately make contact with another car - NEVER - especially at high speed. He is a danger to himself, you, and other road users. Does he really think his frustration justifies such insane action? Driving is not a ing macho competition. What a plonker!

The Vectra's obvious attempts to block them (including swerving between lanes) weren't exactly safe driving practice either. Not condoning the nudge at all, but if you're going to deliberatly provoke someone you shouldn't be surprised if they do lose their rag and do something stupid. One person provoked, the other responded. It happens all the time and sitting in a car doesn't just turn human nature off. Fortunately on this occasion noone got hurt, but the next time someone might, and it sounds like both parties could equally have avoided the incident by altering their behaviour to avoid confrontation in the first place.

[Timberwolf]

UK_WS6 said:

My mate really sh!!ted him out and actually nudged him at 80 mph, I kid you not.

That's not an action you could possible condone... but - there's a small part of me that wonders - if the numptista had at the back of their minds the small doubt that the blocking/swerving/bullying they're about to embark upon might result in some nutter deliberately ramming their car, would they be just a little less hard of thinking on the road?

[Ranger 6]

I used to think speeding was the biggest example of mass civil disobedience, but these days speeders are disticntly low rent compared to the brainless muppets out there.

I class the idiot at the front of the queue in the same vein as the serial undertakers who will use any lane to gain 'a place'. Yes, puts flame suit on I will use an appropriate lane to pass someone on the inside, but I would emphasise it is very much a last resort. My dislike is aimed at the ones who don't actually wait, they will come up behind a line of traffic and without hesitation change lanes to the empty one.

However IMHO the nudging antics described above really do classify as 'assault with a deadly weapon'. What is it with folk these days that they have to be 'punchy' at the slightest provocation? There's too many f*ckwits around to take any action these days and I usually back off and give them space - they usually need it.....

[need 4 speed]

Isn't lane 3 for Audis (some would say BMWs) who leave it 'til the 100 yard board before remembering their exit!

[Vipers]

TripleS said:

I must read it again more carefully but the impression I gained was that overtaking on the left is OK when the traffic is moving slowly in queues.
Best wishes all,
Dave.

Agree Dave, but what does "Moving slowly" mean, today dual carriageway, inside lane doing 60, outside lane doing 40, so I continuted on my way at 60 on inside lane, so moving slowly didnt appear to be the case, but what else can you do?

[Scraggles]

usually drop to lane 1, it might mean i undertake the odd tard, but cant be bothered to swerve across 3 lanes or more to go faster than some dawdler in lane 2 who is going at 55 mph

but often get blocked by people when overtaking trucks, so i do from time to time sit in lane 2 as well

[TheKeyboardDemon]

If lane 3 on a motorway is doing 60 due to traffic build up and lane 1 is empty doing 70 does passing slower cars in 3 still count as undertaking if not changing lanes to do so?

[Vipers]

TheKeyboardDemon said:

If lane 3 on a motorway is doing 60 due to traffic build up and lane 1 is empty doing 70 does passing slower cars in 3 still count as undertaking if not changing lanes to do so?

Well my view is that is doesnt constitute undertaking. In your case, what on earth are you supposed to do? slow down for nothing, except so you are not passing slower cars in lane 3.

Unfortunately like a lot of rules and regulations, only a Judge can intepretit the law, his view may well differ from the BIB and indeed the poor old car driver.

My interpretation is to "Overtake" you change lanes to the right in order to pass a slower vehicle, therefore to "Undertake" is to change lanes to the left in order to pass a slower vehicle, which is not what you are doing in this situation, are you?

[TheKeyboardDemon]

I try to keep as far left as possbile wherever possible although at times I might not join lane 2 if I can see that I would need to come out again within the distance I can see as there is another slower vehicle in lane 1 that I am gaining on, or I am coming up to a slip road where other motorists may be joining. I'll move back left after completing my overtaking move and stay there until I leave or come across slower traffic, however I have found times where I'll be either in lane 1 or 2 and the lane I'm in is moving faster than 3. I'm not really too worried about it when I'm in 1, it does worry me a little when it's happening while I'm in 2 so I'll either try and get back to 1 or be watchful for the guys in front of me that might want to skip past traffic by moving from 3 to 2, I can only hope they are using mirrors and watching blind spots.

[Gingerbread Man]

brisel said:

Perhaps I should set the cruise at 70 mph instead...

It makes no difference. You will always find people oscillating their speed. Set the cruise for 56mph and find an HGV to hang around and I doubt you'll have to overtake so many people more than once.

Edited by Gingerbread Man on Sunday 1st July 15:56

[danrc]

I have only been forced to undertake once and i hated it! Its one thing i really dispise doing on the roads as i feel its so dangerous.

I was coming down towards Aberdeen on the Dual carriage way and the guy in the outside lane was sat at 65 - 70. No other cars anyway near him. As i approached i assumed he must have been turning right up ahead at some point so i hung back. He never, so i proceeded to flash him but still nothing!! Must have been sat there for a good 5 mins flashing away but he just wasn't budging so i indicated and undertook - Looked right and he looked at me and put his foot down!!

What a prick, i was livid! Fair to say i dropped to 3rd and VTEC came into play. Cock