ChatterBank14 mins ago
Undertaking on a 3 lane motorway
30 Answers
Is undertaking still illegal in this country.
I drive on the motoway alot and I see this happen everyday. They go into lane 1, undertake me and then try and get into my lane, cutting me up if they want.
Anything that can be done? I asume report to the police who then will not do anything.
I drive on the motoway alot and I see this happen everyday. They go into lane 1, undertake me and then try and get into my lane, cutting me up if they want.
Anything that can be done? I asume report to the police who then will not do anything.
Answers
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Close the door on them !
I try not to let anyone undertake me - you can only go as fast as the car in front is going - unfortunately there's always someone who wants to go faster.
And yes - it's illegal. Unless all three lanes are travelling along slower than normal and one lane is travelling faster/slower. If you are all going along at 70-80mph then it's illegal.
I try not to let anyone undertake me - you can only go as fast as the car in front is going - unfortunately there's always someone who wants to go faster.
And yes - it's illegal. Unless all three lanes are travelling along slower than normal and one lane is travelling faster/slower. If you are all going along at 70-80mph then it's illegal.
Undertaking in a strange offence in that it is only possible to commit it if another offence is already being committed. In other words udder and and almcd007, if you want to prevent people from committing it, all YOU need to do, is stop committing your offence and get in the correct lane.
As for almcd007's comment:
"I try not to let anyone undertake me" - what does that mean? That you deliberately obstruct other road users? If you were in the correct lane they (a) couldn't undertake you and (b) wouldn't feel the need to.
As for almcd007's comment:
"I try not to let anyone undertake me" - what does that mean? That you deliberately obstruct other road users? If you were in the correct lane they (a) couldn't undertake you and (b) wouldn't feel the need to.
Rojash !!!!! I despair with your comments - you talk utter nonsense - use your common sense.
If you see someone coming up on your inside and you are in lane three, overtaking lane two. The undertakers often try to go in lane 1 and undertake the outside lanes. If I undertook the slower moving car in lane two - i would be committing an offence. This type of undertaking often happens in heavy traffic. No offence being committed here by the outside lanes - they are travelling as fast as the cars infront of them are allowing them to do.
There are a multitude of circumstances surrounding undertaking and to generalize like you have done is ridiculous.
Sitting in lane two or three is not an offence in itself - the cirtcumstances have to dictate whether it is dangerous or not. You should always keep to the left where you can or avoid making unneccessary lane changes - however it is totally against the Highway code and if other lanes are free - results in the carriageway being reduced to 2 or 1 lane.
Try using that excuse to a road traffic officer when you get caught - "I wouldnt have done it if there werent people travelling in the other two lanes !" - I'm sure he'll let you off !
If you see someone coming up on your inside and you are in lane three, overtaking lane two. The undertakers often try to go in lane 1 and undertake the outside lanes. If I undertook the slower moving car in lane two - i would be committing an offence. This type of undertaking often happens in heavy traffic. No offence being committed here by the outside lanes - they are travelling as fast as the cars infront of them are allowing them to do.
There are a multitude of circumstances surrounding undertaking and to generalize like you have done is ridiculous.
Sitting in lane two or three is not an offence in itself - the cirtcumstances have to dictate whether it is dangerous or not. You should always keep to the left where you can or avoid making unneccessary lane changes - however it is totally against the Highway code and if other lanes are free - results in the carriageway being reduced to 2 or 1 lane.
Try using that excuse to a road traffic officer when you get caught - "I wouldnt have done it if there werent people travelling in the other two lanes !" - I'm sure he'll let you off !
There's a lot of confusion about overtaking on the inside.
And it's not uncommon to hear people going on about how it's not illegal.
As Rojash implies there is no specific offence, which is presumably where this opinion comes from.
However the CPS and the Police have an agreement that overtaking on the inside can be used to support a charge of careless driving p75 here: http://www.acpo.police.uk/asp/policies/Data/rd _death_manual_v2_2004_updated_19x04x04.pdf
And it's not uncommon to hear people going on about how it's not illegal.
As Rojash implies there is no specific offence, which is presumably where this opinion comes from.
However the CPS and the Police have an agreement that overtaking on the inside can be used to support a charge of careless driving p75 here: http://www.acpo.police.uk/asp/policies/Data/rd _death_manual_v2_2004_updated_19x04x04.pdf
Menaces who insist on driving in the middle lane of a motorway when there is room to return to lane one are effectively reducing it to a two-lane dual carriageway.
They cause GOOD drivers to move across from lane one to lane three to overtake and then all the way back again,or tempt others to undertake - perhaps to make a point.
If motorway drving was part of the driving test, middle lane hoggers would fail what is, after all, an elementary test of driving.
Why can't people strive to improve their driving instead of adopting bad and infuriating habits. Read the police publication Roadcraft, or take a more advanced driving course, for example.
They cause GOOD drivers to move across from lane one to lane three to overtake and then all the way back again,or tempt others to undertake - perhaps to make a point.
If motorway drving was part of the driving test, middle lane hoggers would fail what is, after all, an elementary test of driving.
Why can't people strive to improve their driving instead of adopting bad and infuriating habits. Read the police publication Roadcraft, or take a more advanced driving course, for example.
Couldn't resist clicking on this as I knew the "middle lane drivers are a menace" whingers would be out in force.
If udder is doing 70mph while overtaking a slower-moving vehicle and/or remains in the lane as there are slower-moving vehicles in the inside lane not far ahead, who is being more of a menace:
udder trying to avoid being stuck in the inside lane because s/he will not be able to pull out into the middle lane again due to the rest of the drivers ignoring the speed limit?
The "undertaker" not only breaking the speed limit but driving recklessly to make his point that cars that aren't driving fast enough for his liking should remain in the inside lane?
If udder is doing 70mph while overtaking a slower-moving vehicle and/or remains in the lane as there are slower-moving vehicles in the inside lane not far ahead, who is being more of a menace:
udder trying to avoid being stuck in the inside lane because s/he will not be able to pull out into the middle lane again due to the rest of the drivers ignoring the speed limit?
The "undertaker" not only breaking the speed limit but driving recklessly to make his point that cars that aren't driving fast enough for his liking should remain in the inside lane?
LeMarchand. If Udder is doing what you describe in para.2 then he/she is not being a menace. But that is not the way I read the question - correct me, Udder, if I'm wrong.
Any competent driver should be able to overtake slower traffic in lane one by signalling in good time and pulling out when safe to do so. And MOST drivers will ease up or move across a lane to let someone overtake slower vehicles.without hindering their progress. I'm assuming that you would, LeMarchand ?
Yes, I am what you describe as a 'Whinger' when it come to lane discipline. I've passed my Institute of Advance Motorists test and am constantly trying to improve my driving. People who stay in lane two, no matter what, ARE a menace. Tell me they are in the right.
Any competent driver should be able to overtake slower traffic in lane one by signalling in good time and pulling out when safe to do so. And MOST drivers will ease up or move across a lane to let someone overtake slower vehicles.without hindering their progress. I'm assuming that you would, LeMarchand ?
Yes, I am what you describe as a 'Whinger' when it come to lane discipline. I've passed my Institute of Advance Motorists test and am constantly trying to improve my driving. People who stay in lane two, no matter what, ARE a menace. Tell me they are in the right.
I would say that I see maybe one person a MONTH (if that) "hogging" the middle lane (I go to work 6 days/week on the M27). VERY few people ever let me out when I indicate that I would like to enter the middle lane.
What seems to annoy people is when others dare to drive at the speed limit in the middle lane which prevents the ever-growing faction who seem to think that the speed limit only applies to those who can't afford a new over-powered vehicle. Assuming udder is doing 70mph, how can s/he possibly be causing any sort of delay?
Congrats on your qualification - though I feel bound to point out that most drivers have passed their standard Driving Test. Unfortunately it doesn't prevent a lot of them from driving like idiots.
I find it amusing that so much ire is directed at so-called "middle lane hogs" when
a) Most of the time their main "offence" is preventing other road users from breaking the speed limit.
b) People rarely complain about other road annoyances such as those who (deep breath) don't seem to know what dipped headlights or indicators are, who think that the correct way to join a motorway is to get up to 90 on the slip road and then cut across 2 lanes of traffic to gain the outside lane (they usually stay there until 10 yards before the exit), who think that the correct lane to use when approaching a junction or roundabout is the one which will get them across the fastest, who think that the speed limit doesn't apply to them (nor do parking restrictions) etc etc
P.S. I bet that if this discussion continues the "Clarkson Clause" will soon surface...
What seems to annoy people is when others dare to drive at the speed limit in the middle lane which prevents the ever-growing faction who seem to think that the speed limit only applies to those who can't afford a new over-powered vehicle. Assuming udder is doing 70mph, how can s/he possibly be causing any sort of delay?
Congrats on your qualification - though I feel bound to point out that most drivers have passed their standard Driving Test. Unfortunately it doesn't prevent a lot of them from driving like idiots.
I find it amusing that so much ire is directed at so-called "middle lane hogs" when
a) Most of the time their main "offence" is preventing other road users from breaking the speed limit.
b) People rarely complain about other road annoyances such as those who (deep breath) don't seem to know what dipped headlights or indicators are, who think that the correct way to join a motorway is to get up to 90 on the slip road and then cut across 2 lanes of traffic to gain the outside lane (they usually stay there until 10 yards before the exit), who think that the correct lane to use when approaching a junction or roundabout is the one which will get them across the fastest, who think that the speed limit doesn't apply to them (nor do parking restrictions) etc etc
P.S. I bet that if this discussion continues the "Clarkson Clause" will soon surface...
LeMarchand
Bet the party invites are building up on your doormat!
You're not self rightous at all are you?
Come on, we know there are faults both sides but I see middle lane drivers every day and some pull in after a car has just passed them on the inside lane. The others are still oblivious to the fact that they are doing wrong.
What worries me is that all these people have the same vote as me! Including LeMarchand
Bet the party invites are building up on your doormat!
You're not self rightous at all are you?
Come on, we know there are faults both sides but I see middle lane drivers every day and some pull in after a car has just passed them on the inside lane. The others are still oblivious to the fact that they are doing wrong.
What worries me is that all these people have the same vote as me! Including LeMarchand
Have I missed something here or am I stupid? - a dangerous suggestion I know.
If you are travelling faster than the vehicle in front and want to pass it and then return to the same lane you must pass on the outside.
You can pass on an inside lane if that lane is moving faster than the ouside lane(s).
However, you should not pass on the inside and then pull out in front of the vehicle you have just passed.
If you are travelling faster than the vehicle in front and want to pass it and then return to the same lane you must pass on the outside.
You can pass on an inside lane if that lane is moving faster than the ouside lane(s).
However, you should not pass on the inside and then pull out in front of the vehicle you have just passed.
Like most of the answers, I agree, don't sit in the middle lane. It may not be an offence but it shows bad manners and poor lane discipline. It's not the drivers that are travelling at 70mph in the centre lane that are the problem but those who insist on travelling at 60 mph, even on clear motorways when there is little traffic.
It's not just motorways where this happens but duel carriageways as well. During busy periods I can travel down a local carriageway at 60 mph while the traffic in the outside lane is nose to tail at 50mph.
Surely, one answer is to make undertaking legal.
It's not just motorways where this happens but duel carriageways as well. During busy periods I can travel down a local carriageway at 60 mph while the traffic in the outside lane is nose to tail at 50mph.
Surely, one answer is to make undertaking legal.
Its no coincidence that countries like Germany whose Autobahns usually only have 2 lanes, and its drivers who have good lane dicipline, move freely.
We already have the solution, (move left when able) it just needs policing.
I bet if the traffic police had a crackdown on lane dicipline, congestion would ease.
One other thing would be to limit HGV passage or try to utilise the canal network for goods more. I always say that xmas eve is always a good time to travel as there are very few HGVs and it just seems to flow better.
Or maybe thats to do with everyone being in a good mood?
We already have the solution, (move left when able) it just needs policing.
I bet if the traffic police had a crackdown on lane dicipline, congestion would ease.
One other thing would be to limit HGV passage or try to utilise the canal network for goods more. I always say that xmas eve is always a good time to travel as there are very few HGVs and it just seems to flow better.
Or maybe thats to do with everyone being in a good mood?
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