Why Ban This?

[Kreed Kafer]

Asking a perfecly polite and innocent question under the appropiate section, this question was banned. Why?:

Road rules
Undertaking When Turning OffThis question is bannedIf for example you are on an exit slip road on the motorway which still parellels the main carriageway, are you allowed to go "undertake" a lorry on the right which is going slow, as you are turning off anyway? Or are you technically breaking the law?

Kreed Kafer Thurs 14/12/06 11:02

[ali_alic]

I got a question banned ref the Chicken tonight Panda advert. All I asked was that now there is Beef tonight, how long will it be before they do a Bamboo tonight. I asked, but no explanation was given!!

[heathfield]

Interesting question. A motorway carriageway is ipso facto a one-way system. You are allowed to 'undertake' on a one-way system. Indeed, the Highway Code says that 'drivers on a one-way system should be aware of vehicles overtaking them on the left'.
This didn't stop police in Dundee recently charging a motorist for overtaking on the left on a dual carriageway. The driver claimed he had thought the other car was going to turn right at the next roundabout. (This would have made it OK). But the police said 'Rubbish', and charged him anyway. Me, I'd have thrown the Highway Code at them and the magistrate and told them to read it.
On the other hand, some time ago I heard a Chief Constable talking on the radio about motorway 'undertaking'. He said that whilst there was no law against it, if it resulted in an accident, 'the driver's action would be taken into consideration'.

[chazza]

It was probably a duplicate seeing as I've read that question on the site somewhere else. Did you post it twice?

[jno]

yes, a lot of questions are 'banned' because they've actually been posted twice. Are you sure there isn't another copy of the question still live in another section?

[Panic Button]

In answer to the original question, I can't see how the police could accuse you of undertaking. The position of the lorry in the right lane when it could normally be expected to be in the left lane is itself a strong indication that it is going to turn right at the junction or roundabout.
Also the highway code does allow you to go past if it is busy and you are in a lane of faster moving traffic

However as a lorry driver myself I would advise extreme care in going up the left side, unless you see an indicator. Even then why not wait a few seconds to make sure you are safe?.

If it is right hand drive the visibility of vehicles on the left is poor. The driver may be uncertain where he is and could decide to move to the left lane with little warning, and if you are in the blind spot by his cab he might not notice you.

Better to get to your destination safely and only a matter of seconds later.