Dual Carriageway Dilemma
Discussion
OK – common situation
You are driving in the nearside lane of a dual carriageway when you catch up with the tail-enders of a long queue in the off side lane waiting to overtake a very slow moving vehicle in the nearside lane. There is nothing else in the nearside lane between you and the slow moving vehicle. As I see it there are three options:-
1. Carry on at your current speed until you catch up with the slow moving vehicle ie ‘undertaking’ the cars in the offside. Then cut in to overtake.
2. Slow down and keep level with the back marker in the offside lane moving across when you get near the slow vehicle
3. Immediately join the back of the queue in the offside lane
I know which one I prefer to do – but which option is correct?
You are driving in the nearside lane of a dual carriageway when you catch up with the tail-enders of a long queue in the off side lane waiting to overtake a very slow moving vehicle in the nearside lane. There is nothing else in the nearside lane between you and the slow moving vehicle. As I see it there are three options:-
1. Carry on at your current speed until you catch up with the slow moving vehicle ie ‘undertaking’ the cars in the offside. Then cut in to overtake.
2. Slow down and keep level with the back marker in the offside lane moving across when you get near the slow vehicle
3. Immediately join the back of the queue in the offside lane
I know which one I prefer to do – but which option is correct?
1.)
as it should work like a zipper (in theory). Drive on until you're near the obstacle and then change lanes.
It's law over here since 2 years or so, but it doesn't work in fact, as the numpties change lanes 2miles before necessary, and do not let anybody in for the rest of the two miles
as it should work like a zipper (in theory). Drive on until you're near the obstacle and then change lanes.
It's law over here since 2 years or so, but it doesn't work in fact, as the numpties change lanes 2miles before necessary, and do not let anybody in for the rest of the two miles
You could choose 2 but as other vehicles would join the queue you would move further back.
OK – common situation
You are driving in the nearside lane of a dual carriageway when you catch up with the tail-enders of a long queue in the off side lane waiting to overtake a very slow moving vehicle in the nearside lane. There is nothing else in the nearside lane between you and the slow moving vehicle. As I see it there are three options:-
1. Carry on at your current speed until you catch up with the slow moving vehicle ie ‘undertaking’ the cars in the offside. Then cut in to overtake.
2. Slow down and keep level with the back marker in the offside lane moving across when you get near the slow vehicle
3. Immediately join the back of the queue in the offside lane
I know which one I prefer to do – but which option is correct?
The answer would be 3,however i would probably go for 1
.
1 is AFAIK legal as long as you aren't deemed to be overtaking the vehicles using the inside lane, which is a big no-no. If you are however progressing on the inside lane anyway at a legal speed, that is not specifically prohibited therefore is, I understand, legal.
Cutting in to change lanes could however be deemed inconsiderate driving.
Cutting in to change lanes could however be deemed inconsiderate driving.
'1 is AFAIK legal as long as you aren't deemed to be overtaking the vehicles using the inside lane, which is a big no-no. If you are however progressing on the inside lane anyway at a legal speed, that is not specifically prohibited therefore is, I understand, legal.'
Yes, if it could be deemed to be 'queueing'.
But if you dive down the inside then jump into someone else's carelfully observed 2-second gap, I would have to say 'Oi, NOOOO!'.
Yes, if it could be deemed to be 'queueing'.
But if you dive down the inside then jump into someone else's carelfully observed 2-second gap, I would have to say 'Oi, NOOOO!'.
simpo one said:
But if you dive down the inside then jump into someone else's carelfully observed 2-second gap, I would have to say 'Oi, NOOOO!'.
Zigackly. That would be moving over to the inside lane specifically for overtaking. However with sufficient forward observation, shouldn't you see that the inside lane is clear for some distance and move over at the first opportunity as you're meant to anyway?
That's exactly the dilemma I have every day on the A127 in particular. I choose 3, most of the time as it is less aggro than diving into a gap. On the other hand, on the bike I do whatever I want to, and don't feel any guilt at all.
Think it is all about courtesy, and not inconveniencing others.
Is there a genuine solution?
Think it is all about courtesy, and not inconveniencing others.
Is there a genuine solution?
I'm with you, Hertsbiker: option 3. Everyone else is queueing to get past the slow vehicle, so what makes me special enough to get past first? Take option 2, and you're liable to get someone boxing you into the inside lane; option one will simply cause aggro/stress/road rage – and I for one am bored by all that kind of stuff on today's roads.
Edited to add: but if the car at the front of the queue in the outside lane is being really dozy and there's a big gap before he catches the slow-moving vehicle, take option 1 – gently.
>> Edited by Spoonman on Tuesday 26th November 09:10
Edited to add: but if the car at the front of the queue in the outside lane is being really dozy and there's a big gap before he catches the slow-moving vehicle, take option 1 – gently.
>> Edited by Spoonman on Tuesday 26th November 09:10
Agreed Hertsbiker and Spoonman, isn't this just like when approaching roadworks aswell, only in reverse? The signs tell you that the offside lanes close in 800 etc, so you move over and join the queue (which is only there because some numpties always have to cut in right at the cones 
).
Andy
). Andy
I find option 2 doesn't normally lead to being boxed in.
Next numpty to join queue in lane 2 (or 3, depending on context) usually notices that I've elected not to take the piss by undertaking, and leaves a gap for or flashes me out if I stick my indicator on near whatever's being slow in lane 1.
Of course, occasionally, I'll keep pace in lane 1 and then lane 2 will slow even more, in which case I'll carry on at my previous speed, but as far as I know that's largely kosher. Getting out into lane 2 can be harder, but not normally too bad.
Next numpty to join queue in lane 2 (or 3, depending on context) usually notices that I've elected not to take the piss by undertaking, and leaves a gap for or flashes me out if I stick my indicator on near whatever's being slow in lane 1.
Of course, occasionally, I'll keep pace in lane 1 and then lane 2 will slow even more, in which case I'll carry on at my previous speed, but as far as I know that's largely kosher. Getting out into lane 2 can be harder, but not normally too bad.
Lane 2 could be considered as being part of a slow moving queue, which I believe the Highway Code allows for. Depending how long the train of cars is and the speed they are doing would dictate my actions, but mostly, and within reason i'd cruise up the inside to a reasonable distance from the slow vehicle and sit paitiantly to change lane.
If you instantly go to lane 2 or 3 (and no offence meant here to anyone) you are as bad as the rest of the numpties who move out imeadiately
If you instantly go to lane 2 or 3 (and no offence meant here to anyone) you are as bad as the rest of the numpties who move out imeadiately
I'm with Mutley on this one.
For me it's about using the road space available to you. As long as you don't charge up the inside like a nutter but instead make safe progress, get behind the numpty mobile, stick on your indicator and wait to be let out safely.
This "you're not undertaking me" attitude pi$$es me off, but I can understand the "I can't be bothered arguing, so I'll sit at the back of the queue" when it's Monday am and you're just not up for it.
For me it's about using the road space available to you. As long as you don't charge up the inside like a nutter but instead make safe progress, get behind the numpty mobile, stick on your indicator and wait to be let out safely.
This "you're not undertaking me" attitude pi$$es me off, but I can understand the "I can't be bothered arguing, so I'll sit at the back of the queue" when it's Monday am and you're just not up for it.
I tend to take a cautious option 1 and then 'ask' to be let into lane 2 at a sensible distance from the slow vehicle. Every morning I travel the M3 which is 2 lanes most of the way from Winchester to Basingstoke. And every morning I make similar if not better progress than the traffic in lane 2 which is traveling no more than 10feet apart at speeds anywhere from 10 to 100mph.
It is less stressfull, safer and just as effective to only move into lane two when I need too. Poodling along a 60-65 suites me just fine. I never have to brake hard, tell someone who cuts in front of me they're a to$$er and because I'm not dodging from lane to lane I rarely come up behind a slow moving lorry and not get flashed in to make the overtake.
On the rest of my journey to Royston in Hertfordshire I use the M25 and A1M. I adopt a similar 'no worries' method and it takes me about 5-mins longer than trying to charge up there.
>> Edited by ultimapaul on Tuesday 26th November 21:13
It is less stressfull, safer and just as effective to only move into lane two when I need too. Poodling along a 60-65 suites me just fine. I never have to brake hard, tell someone who cuts in front of me they're a to$$er and because I'm not dodging from lane to lane I rarely come up behind a slow moving lorry and not get flashed in to make the overtake.
On the rest of my journey to Royston in Hertfordshire I use the M25 and A1M. I adopt a similar 'no worries' method and it takes me about 5-mins longer than trying to charge up there.
>> Edited by ultimapaul on Tuesday 26th November 21:13
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