Discussion
steve.c said:
if the traffic is stationary or very slow moving there they have no objections as far as im aware, havent ever been pulled for filtering yet,but as said be VERY aware of blind drivers who have no idea what mirrors are actually for
and pedestriants/cyclists etc. all suicidal morons!chilli said:
I was under the impression that filtering (sensibly) was perfectly legal...I've filtered passed loads of BIB's before, and they even get out of your way in town.
Yup, perfectly legal:
Highway Code Rule 71: Manoeuvring.
You should be aware of what is behind and to the sides before manoeuvring. Look behind you; use mirrors if they are fitted. When overtaking traffic queues look out for pedestrians crossing between vehicles and vehicles emerging from junctions.
Note the bit I have bolded. If filtering was illegal it would say that you "Must not overtake traffic queues", but the wording says thay you are OK to do it, but look out for numpties.
Alice Cupra said:
chilli said:
I was under the impression that filtering (sensibly) was perfectly legal...I've filtered passed loads of BIB's before, and they even get out of your way in town.
Yup, perfectly legal:
Highway Code Rule 71: Manoeuvring.
You should be aware of what is behind and to the sides before manoeuvring. Look behind you; use mirrors if they are fitted. When overtaking traffic queues look out for pedestrians crossing between vehicles and vehicles emerging from junctions.
Note the bit I have bolded. If filtering was illegal it would say that you "Must not overtake traffic queues", but the wording says thay you are OK to do it, but look out for numpties.
The Highway Code used to say 'Dipped headlamps must be used in town EXCEPT IN BRIGHTLY LIT AREAS when sidelights may be used'. If our local High Street (the widest in England) didn't count as brightly lit then I dunno what would, but it didn't stop PC Hitler from reporting me when I drove 200 yards on sidelights. I didn't have the balls then (I was 17) but I'd bloody well go to court over it now. But then I suspect they've probably changed the HC reference to it by now...
rsvmilly said:
chilli said:
I was under the impression that filtering (sensibly) was perfectly legal...I've filtered passed loads of BIB's before, and they even get out of your way in town.
Remember not to get complacent, and treat them all as a bunch of idiots!
Who? The BiB? You cheeky .....Remember not to get complacent, and treat them all as a bunch of idiots!
Woukd I.....???!!!
Alice Cupra said:
chilli said:
I was under the impression that filtering (sensibly) was perfectly legal...I've filtered passed loads of BIB's before, and they even get out of your way in town.
Yup, perfectly legal:
Highway Code Rule 71: Manoeuvring.
You should be aware of what is behind and to the sides before manoeuvring. Look behind you; use mirrors if they are fitted. When overtaking traffic queues look out for pedestrians crossing between vehicles and vehicles emerging from junctions.
Note the bit I have bolded. If filtering was illegal it would say that you "Must not overtake traffic queues", but the wording says thay you are OK to do it, but look out for numpties.
Filtering is a very grey area and should be done with caution. Referring to your comment about Overtaking traffic queue: you are correct in regards to OVERTAKING however in some situations i.e. filtering between queues of traffic you are actually undertaking one of the lanes which is ilegal.
kiwi_uk said:
Referring to your comment about Overtaking traffic queue: you are correct in regards to OVERTAKING however in some situations i.e. filtering between queues of traffic you are actually undertaking one of the lanes which is ilegal.
But surely if you are going through a queue of stationary or slow moving traffic, Rule 139 would come into play, which states (amongst other parts):
139: Overtake only when it is safe to do so. You should
* ......If the queue on your right is moving more slowly than you are, you may pass on the left
If the queue on your right is moving more slowly than you are, you can pass on the left. It just happens that the traffic on your left is also moving more slowly than you are, and so you can legally overtake these on the right.
So therefore, you can legally go down the middle of them, as long as you think its safe.
I agree with the sentiment that it is a grey area, purely based on pedantic people like me spouting random Highway Code rules which seem to fit the bill.......
Edited by Alice Cupra on Thursday 30th November 19:48
tim2100 said:
Don't forget that Police take a very dim view on Filtering.
As I found out last month when filtering on M6
As I found out last month when filtering on M6
As I commute across london everyday filtering is part of making progress, I've never ever had a problem filtering with any police cars that I've passed ever in the last 6 and a bit years.
What speed was the traffic doing and what were you doing? If as I suspect it was at some speed you were lane splitting rather than filtering, there is a big difference there. Yes I've done 'filtering' at speed on the motorway too, I've always known is wasn't legal. LOL
Edited by sjtscott on Thursday 30th November 19:54
Its not a grey area at all. The law in the UK works negatively, which means its not illegal, unless the law says it is. The law doesnt state that filtering is illegal, and in fact does allow precisely that in fact. Case law recently changed to support filtering as a bike smash was ruled 100% fault on the part of the car driver who changed lanes without looking.
Be aware, however, that it is specifically forbidden in the HC to overtake the last car waiting for the lights (strange, but true), and that law or no law if you dont do it carefully, you're still squished.
I believe most sane people stick to a 20/20 rule, such that filtering stationary traffic is done at no more than 20 mph, and filtering moving traffic is done with no more than a 20mph differential to give you time to watch them, and them no excuse to use the SMIDSY thing. I would agree that filtering at a NSL differential is highly unsafe. 's fun though.
Be aware, however, that it is specifically forbidden in the HC to overtake the last car waiting for the lights (strange, but true), and that law or no law if you dont do it carefully, you're still squished.
I believe most sane people stick to a 20/20 rule, such that filtering stationary traffic is done at no more than 20 mph, and filtering moving traffic is done with no more than a 20mph differential to give you time to watch them, and them no excuse to use the SMIDSY thing. I would agree that filtering at a NSL differential is highly unsafe. 's fun though.
randlemarcus said:
Its not a grey area at all. The law in the UK works negatively, which means its not illegal, unless the law says it is. The law doesnt state that filtering is illegal, and in fact does allow precisely that in fact. Case law recently changed to support filtering as a bike smash was ruled 100% fault on the part of the car driver who changed lanes without looking.
Be aware, however, that it is specifically forbidden in the HC to overtake the last car waiting for the lights (strange, but true), and that law or no law if you dont do it carefully, you're still squished.
I believe most sane people stick to a 20/20 rule, such that filtering stationary traffic is done at no more than 20 mph, and filtering moving traffic is done with no more than a 20mph differential to give you time to watch them, and them no excuse to use the SMIDSY thing. I would agree that filtering at a NSL differential is highly unsafe. 's fun though.
Be aware, however, that it is specifically forbidden in the HC to overtake the last car waiting for the lights (strange, but true), and that law or no law if you dont do it carefully, you're still squished.
I believe most sane people stick to a 20/20 rule, such that filtering stationary traffic is done at no more than 20 mph, and filtering moving traffic is done with no more than a 20mph differential to give you time to watch them, and them no excuse to use the SMIDSY thing. I would agree that filtering at a NSL differential is highly unsafe. 's fun though.
When did case law change on this? I've had two filtering accidents which both were car drivers fault unfortunately none of them went to court, however the insurance companies were only too willing to hold me 50% responsible! Could a change in case law affect an insurance claim potentially even if an accident doesn't make it to court?
sjtscott said:
randlemarcus said:
Its not a grey area at all. The law in the UK works negatively, which means its not illegal, unless the law says it is. The law doesnt state that filtering is illegal, and in fact does allow precisely that in fact. Case law recently changed to support filtering as a bike smash was ruled 100% fault on the part of the car driver who changed lanes without looking.
Be aware, however, that it is specifically forbidden in the HC to overtake the last car waiting for the lights (strange, but true), and that law or no law if you dont do it carefully, you're still squished.
I believe most sane people stick to a 20/20 rule, such that filtering stationary traffic is done at no more than 20 mph, and filtering moving traffic is done with no more than a 20mph differential to give you time to watch them, and them no excuse to use the SMIDSY thing. I would agree that filtering at a NSL differential is highly unsafe. 's fun though.
Be aware, however, that it is specifically forbidden in the HC to overtake the last car waiting for the lights (strange, but true), and that law or no law if you dont do it carefully, you're still squished.
I believe most sane people stick to a 20/20 rule, such that filtering stationary traffic is done at no more than 20 mph, and filtering moving traffic is done with no more than a 20mph differential to give you time to watch them, and them no excuse to use the SMIDSY thing. I would agree that filtering at a NSL differential is highly unsafe. 's fun though.
When did case law change on this? I've had two filtering accidents which both were car drivers fault unfortunately none of them went to court, however the insurance companies were only too willing to hold me 50% responsible! Could a change in case law affect an insurance claim potentially even if an accident doesn't make it to court?
The article: www.sites4bikes.com/Filtering.htm
Discussion around same: www.motorcycle-insurance-uk.org.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=119
On balance, please remember that insurance companies dont GAF about case law, they want an easy settlement, so you may have to push hard to avoid a knock-for-knock.
sjtscott said:
When did case law change on this? I've had two filtering accidents which both were car drivers fault unfortunately none of them went to court, however the insurance companies were only too willing to hold me 50% responsible! Could a change in case law affect an insurance claim potentially even if an accident doesn't make it to court?
I have also had 2 filtering accidents - got 100% recovery both times w/o going to court.
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