Motorcycle Filtering Accident

DaveMacD

!!!!!! wrote: »

BTW the highway code is GUIDANCE apart from the areas where MUST is used. In these situations they are referring to existing legislation e.g. RTA, Construction & Use etc.

You're absolutely right, hence the reason why I highlight the Give Way, or Stop. These ARE governed by the RTA and Traffic Signs Regulation and General Directions. It's part of the HC, rules 171 & 172. You MUST stop at a stop, you MUST give way at a give way.

DaveMacD

!!!!!! wrote: »

Do bikers consider 'filtering' is still allowable if a double white line is crossed? Is that why they use the word filtering instead of overtaking to pretend that they are not breaking the law? My empirical evidence seems to indicate this.

I can assure you, THIS motorcyclist does not regard filtering allowable if it involves crossing a solid white line. That's also why you don't filter on the inside between traffic and the pavement. HOWEVER, the way rule 129 is written, you are allowed to cross a double white line to pass a stationary vehicle (as long as the road is clear), and in that case, some may interpret it to allow overtaking of multiple stationary vehicles.

Wig

I cannot imagine how it could EVER be possible to be 'filtering' whilst also taking reasonable caution (as defined earlier in the thread), and then to be 'taken out' by a car which emerged from a side road into or crossing through the stationary traffic. As soon as you see there is a junction ahead, and you see a gap has been left, you SLOW DOWN and remember you will be slowing down from an already safe speed to be filtering at.


From the car drivers point of view, a gap has been left, he cannot see the motorbike coming because of the heavy build up of traffic. He should emerge slowly aswell, but if the bike is travelling at a speed that he is unable to stop, I would put most of the blame onto the bike because he is the one already in the act of the high risk manouver and therefore he is the one who should be able to stop on a sixpence if a situation arises in front of him.

Absolute best case scenario IMHO would be 50/50 where the driver did not emerge slowly.

BikerEd

Interesting thread.

As an emergency services rider I regard filtering as an essential tool to making progress through heavy traffic. I filter both on and off duty - counting myself lucky that I live in a country where it is permitted. In the USA, for example, it is forbidden in every state except California. I always filter with extreme caution, knowing the risks and assume that every car could be the one that pulls out on me.

One good tip for filtering when there is no oncoming traffic is to go as far as possible out into the other lane. That way you get the maximum view forwards of the cars that you are passing, so that you can take evasive action if necessary.

nomoneytoday

Whether it's 50/50 or 80/20 you would still lose some no claims bonus, and the excess would only change by a small amount (£30 on a £100 excess)

Is it worth contesting past a moral victory?