Should Undertaking on Motorways be legalised?
Discussion
Driving up the M25 a couple of weeks ago, I was struck by the fact that of the 4 lanes available, only one was nose-to-tail crowded, and, for a good 3 miles, the other lanes were empty.
Given that Undertaking is illegal, is this preventing people from driving in emptier lanes, clogging up the road network?
Thinking of a #10 petition....
Given that Undertaking is illegal, is this preventing people from driving in emptier lanes, clogging up the road network?
Thinking of a #10 petition....
bgf I used to do a 4 junction stretch of the M25 every day twice a day to commute to work. Pretty much the same time each day too so you used to see the same cars too.
I tried to do the fast lane overtaking everything approach but the sheer level of concentration that is involved when elephant racing the daft bastid who should be in the nearside lane, all this whilst trying to keep a safe distance from the guy in front and yet a small enough gap so the tard in the Audi behind me doesn't undercut 2 lanes to get 15 feet in front of where he was previously. = stressed Tiny
One morning I thought Feckit! I'm just going to sit in the nearside lane I cannot be arsed with this and apart from going from lane 1-2 to overtake lorries I would often arrive at work a lot less stressed and 10-15 minutes before the other people I would usually see on my commute. = calm Tiny.
Let them dick about and elephant race in lanes 3-4 and undertake the lot of them technically your not undertaking them though, you are just keeping up with the traffic flow in your lane. This doesn't apply if your in lane 2, come across the slow tard infront with a clear inside lane and then undertake them, you have to be in lane 1 to begin with.
I tried to do the fast lane overtaking everything approach but the sheer level of concentration that is involved when elephant racing the daft bastid who should be in the nearside lane, all this whilst trying to keep a safe distance from the guy in front and yet a small enough gap so the tard in the Audi behind me doesn't undercut 2 lanes to get 15 feet in front of where he was previously. = stressed Tiny
One morning I thought Feckit! I'm just going to sit in the nearside lane I cannot be arsed with this and apart from going from lane 1-2 to overtake lorries I would often arrive at work a lot less stressed and 10-15 minutes before the other people I would usually see on my commute. = calm Tiny.
Let them dick about and elephant race in lanes 3-4 and undertake the lot of them technically your not undertaking them though, you are just keeping up with the traffic flow in your lane. This doesn't apply if your in lane 2, come across the slow tard infront with a clear inside lane and then undertake them, you have to be in lane 1 to begin with.
Zod said:
It's not illegal....
This is the excerpt from The Highway Code. If you don't follow this, you can be prosecuted for driving without due care and attention:268
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.
Chrisgr31 said:
Whats illegal is lane dodging. If your lane is flowing faster than the lane(s) on your outside you can happliy pass them on the inside.
However the HC (268)quotes Do not overtake on the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake.
In congested conditions where adjacent lanes are moving at similar speeds traffic in left hand lanes may be moving faster than traffic to the right. In these conditions you may keep up with the traffic in your lane even if it means passing traffic in the ane to your right
Situation
Empty Motorway
MLM doing 60
You positioned correctly on inside lane doing 70
Can you under 268 pass him? The motorway is not congested,so it would appear not but with a hard shoulder to your left as a 'get out' lane, surely it is safer to do so than do the 1-2-3-2-1 shift
the HC for 1978 (161) overtake only on the right, unless traffic is moving in queues and the traffic queue on your right is moving more slowly than you are.
Me? the less lane changing i have to do the better BUT i always pass on the inside at a speed less thatn the legal limit. And perhaps if the Mway is empty and i have a few spare minutes, the odd doughnut just to pass the time. Not , though if it is a lone female driver.. the consequenses!!!!!!
bqf said:
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.
I see it every day on the two lane part of the M11, lines and lines of contantly braking sheep in the outside lane while the inside is devoid of any traffic, 'cept cheeky little me, going past them all. 
bqf said:
Zod said:
It's not illegal....
This is the excerpt from The Highway Code. If you don't follow this, you can be prosecuted for driving without due care and attention:268
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.
BFG TERRANO said:
Motorway training should be compulsory.
Help eliminate the need or want to under take.
Going by the number of instructor cars I see lane hogging, I don't think it will help. Help eliminate the need or want to under take.
It's bliss driving on French motorways. Never a hogger in sight. Well perhaps the odd English plated car
vixen1700 said:
I see it every day on the two lane part of the M11, lines and lines of contantly braking sheep in the outside lane while the inside is devoid of any traffic, 'cept cheeky little me, going past them all.
Yep, same with me. First time I drove on a motorway it was the M11; two lanes with lane one entirely empty aside from me, and a long convoy in lane two. Being inexperienced, I really thought I'd missed a lane closure sign or something, but stuck with it. Very odd.loose cannon said:
BFG TERRANO said:
Motorway training should be compulsory.
Help eliminate the need or want to under take.
exactly still dont understand why it isnt !Help eliminate the need or want to under take.
Furthermore, dual carriageway driving has been taught for decades. Many other elements of driving are taught and entirely disregarded by many once the test has been passed. Why would MLMing be any different from, say, roundabout lane discipline (which seems generally atrocious despite being taught and tested extensively when learning)?
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