Undertaking on dual carriageway?
Discussion
My understanding is that unless the flow of traffic dictates that the left hand lane is moving faster than the right hand lane you should not undertake.
Last night I was on a fairly deserted dual carriageway A road. Long, straight, illuminated with street lights and therefore regular national speed limit signs
I was in the right lane having overtaken a lorry and doing a steady 70 when I got stuck behind someone in a Focus doing a steady 45. The lorry soared past on the inside. I waited for the Focus to either speed up or move left.
It did neither and 10 miles later I was still stuck behind it. Loads of other cars undertook it. I didn't on the grounds that 1. I thought that might be illegal and 2. The road wasn't busy but other cars that approached it were undertaking at speed and for me to have gone into the left lane to undertake might have caused conflict with an approaching car from behind.
But after 10 miles and 15 minutes? How long should you put up with that before giving up and undertaking?
Last night I was on a fairly deserted dual carriageway A road. Long, straight, illuminated with street lights and therefore regular national speed limit signs
I was in the right lane having overtaken a lorry and doing a steady 70 when I got stuck behind someone in a Focus doing a steady 45. The lorry soared past on the inside. I waited for the Focus to either speed up or move left.
It did neither and 10 miles later I was still stuck behind it. Loads of other cars undertook it. I didn't on the grounds that 1. I thought that might be illegal and 2. The road wasn't busy but other cars that approached it were undertaking at speed and for me to have gone into the left lane to undertake might have caused conflict with an approaching car from behind.
But after 10 miles and 15 minutes? How long should you put up with that before giving up and undertaking?
Pica-Pica said:
I use the right hand indicator on occasions where someone is hanging out in the outer lane. This use of indicator has these benefits.
1) it is deemed less aggressive to the blocking vehicle, it acts as an indication you are there and actively wishing to pass, and will (presumably) do so swiftly.
2) it signals to any vehicle directly following you that you wish to pass the car in front, and that the blocking car is the reason you are not making progress, and not yourself.
3) it shows any following car you are communicating with the car in front. Any following car may not always see if you flash the car in front.
4) as long as you are not tailgating or pushing, then a swift approach and an indication (if they do not appear to move left) seems more ‘professional’ than a flash to me.
Just my views and experience. Never had any reaction form the driver ahead other than a quick indicator left and the car pulls over.
I will sit patiently if there is a lorry ahead and they wish to pass that (even though I could quickly get past, and they could get back out again with no inconvenience to them).
OP again - sensible advice that I will try to effect if/when next in this situation. Thanks!1) it is deemed less aggressive to the blocking vehicle, it acts as an indication you are there and actively wishing to pass, and will (presumably) do so swiftly.
2) it signals to any vehicle directly following you that you wish to pass the car in front, and that the blocking car is the reason you are not making progress, and not yourself.
3) it shows any following car you are communicating with the car in front. Any following car may not always see if you flash the car in front.
4) as long as you are not tailgating or pushing, then a swift approach and an indication (if they do not appear to move left) seems more ‘professional’ than a flash to me.
Just my views and experience. Never had any reaction form the driver ahead other than a quick indicator left and the car pulls over.
I will sit patiently if there is a lorry ahead and they wish to pass that (even though I could quickly get past, and they could get back out again with no inconvenience to them).
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