Making progress?
Discussion
Riding down a pretty empty dual carriageway, in the inside lane at 60 mph.
It is a 60 limit on the road.
You come across three cars in the outside lane, all doing 50 and held up by the car in front.
Staying in the inside lane and after checking to see if anyone is showing signs of moving into the inside lane, you keep in the inside lane and 'make progress' past the cars in the outside lane.
You also wave to the driver of the car that she should move over to let the cars behind her past.
Now then, legally, are you making progress, undertaking or is it a grey area?
- and no, I haven't been pulled up for it, I'd just like to know the position.
It is a 60 limit on the road.
You come across three cars in the outside lane, all doing 50 and held up by the car in front.
Staying in the inside lane and after checking to see if anyone is showing signs of moving into the inside lane, you keep in the inside lane and 'make progress' past the cars in the outside lane.
You also wave to the driver of the car that she should move over to let the cars behind her past.
Now then, legally, are you making progress, undertaking or is it a grey area?
- and no, I haven't been pulled up for it, I'd just like to know the position.
It's a bit of a grey area I think.
It's been debated at length and I think the conclusion was that as long as you're not aggressively changing lanes to pass cars on the left then it's deemed acceptable. There is a 'rule' in the HC that says something to the effect that is quite permissible to pass other vehicles in this way when for example there's queuing traffic.
Let's face it, it wouldn't really be safe to adjust your speed to suit those that don't know lane1, or lane 2 for that matter exist, and joining a queue to pass some moron in the 'fast lane' is just downright stupid.
FWIW, I fastidiously use the furthestmost left lane that it's safe to use and I find myself rtegularly passing cars to the right of me. I'm not out necessarily to prove anything, I'm just using the lanes as they were intended.
It is infuriating however when the nuggets that you've passed legitemately then close gaps on purpose so you can't change lanes. These people need shot!
It's been debated at length and I think the conclusion was that as long as you're not aggressively changing lanes to pass cars on the left then it's deemed acceptable. There is a 'rule' in the HC that says something to the effect that is quite permissible to pass other vehicles in this way when for example there's queuing traffic.
Let's face it, it wouldn't really be safe to adjust your speed to suit those that don't know lane1, or lane 2 for that matter exist, and joining a queue to pass some moron in the 'fast lane' is just downright stupid.
FWIW, I fastidiously use the furthestmost left lane that it's safe to use and I find myself rtegularly passing cars to the right of me. I'm not out necessarily to prove anything, I'm just using the lanes as they were intended.
It is infuriating however when the nuggets that you've passed legitemately then close gaps on purpose so you can't change lanes. These people need shot!
I've started to notice this more and more.
I just hang back to see what they do, then pass on the inside 'keeping up with trafic in my lane' as the highway code says.
They do tend to look annoyed though.
Then again, this causes the other thing i've noticed more and more. These that overtake slowly, then speed up after they've pulled in, and those that pass you slowly then slow down then infront of you so you have to overtake them again!
This could be a quirk of cruise control however. surprising how people vary their speed so much!
I just hang back to see what they do, then pass on the inside 'keeping up with trafic in my lane' as the highway code says.
They do tend to look annoyed though.
Then again, this causes the other thing i've noticed more and more. These that overtake slowly, then speed up after they've pulled in, and those that pass you slowly then slow down then infront of you so you have to overtake them again!
This could be a quirk of cruise control however. surprising how people vary their speed so much!
Bing o said:
Do em all on the inside, downshifing into third for extra noise/annoyance, flick them the bird, and keep it planted.
Highly illegal but oh so satisfying.
Illegal why?Highly illegal but oh so satisfying.
Ok - if you speed, and flik the bird, maybe....but passing on the left without changing lane...not illegal in my book.
Dull answer, but HC says:
- only overtake on the left if the vehicle in front is signalling to turn right, and there is room to do so
- stay in your lane if traffic is moving slowly in queues. If the queue on your right is moving more slowly than you are, you may pass on the left
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff




