Filter lanes and right of way question.

fivetide

!!!!!! wrote: »

So car A pulls into the lane in front of car B thus removing any safety gap, and then brakes leaving car B insufficient time or distance to react? It is not always the fault of the car behind in a shunt and in this case I would be inclined to say that the fault still lies with car A.

If car A was hit on the offside does that mean that his intention was to carry on cutting across traffic to the leftmost lane?

!!!!!! - I'm reading it as two lanes, one vanishes so there is no 'left most lane' to be going to. Either the car had made the lane change or it hasn't.

Also, I'd say the driver behind can see a car pulling into their safety zone so they should already be slowing and increasing the gap. There isn't really an 'insufficient time' excuse IMHO in the same way there isn't a 'the road suddenly tightened up' excuse. Both are doing to a lack of planning/observation.

One can guess that if the rear car was deliberately trying to keep the other one out the driver was rather angry at the time.

5t.

Strider590

Highway code says "merge in turn", not "join the back of the queue".

Really f**king annoys me the way we Brits get so competitive over the 5 metres of space in front of our car.... Racing eachother to merge points to stop "queue jumpers", it's ridiculous!

In my opinion the idiot blocking the other other car from merging, was endangering the life of that driver, PLUS the live's of people driving in the opposite direction. They should have the book thrown at them!!!!!

If ever I have one of these idiots behind me, my favourite trick is to slow down and let not only the victim past, but several cars where possible

zorber

Car B is at fault for failing to be a considerate driver and giving way. If B was keeping a safe distance between it and the van then Car A would have no difficulty in merging. Car B has deliberately blocked them out and stopped them merging. Sounds like Car B was deliberately too close. Normally the fault is with the rear car.

Tinks74

There are ways of merging that are safe and acceptable, however if you merge then have to slam on your breaks that is neither safe nor acceptable.

If I am driving I should not have to take evasive action as a result of you attempting/completing a manoeuvre, equally I should not deliberately make it difficult for you to make a safe manoeuvre.

Does being in the right but having your car in the garage for repair make you feel good? Sometimes you should assess the situation and if it is looking like it could get dangerous, abort the manoeuvre and complete it safely instead.

marlot

Strider590 wrote: »

Highway code says "merge in turn", not "join the back of the queue".

Where? I know it was due to be put in when it was revised, but I'd understood that they didn't do it.

Tinks74

From The Directgov website

The Highway Code

Multi-lane carriageways (133-143)
Lane discipline

133

If you need to change lane, first use your mirrors and if necessary take a quick sideways glance to make sure you will not force another road user to change course or speed. When it is safe to do so, signal to indicate your intentions to other road users and when clear, move over.
134

You should follow the signs and road markings and get into the lane as directed. In congested road conditions do not change lanes unnecessarily. Merging in turn is recommended but only if safe and appropriate when vehicles are travelling at a very low speed, e.g. when approaching road works or a road traffic incident. It is not recommended at high speed.

LandyAndy

Unhappy_Camper wrote: »

You know the type,

The 2 lanes usually after traffic lights that merge into one.
Left lane has arrows that say straight on and the right lane has arrows curving to the left directing the traffic into one lane. My question is who has legal right of way?

Say that car a is in the right hand lane and that is just behind a van but in front of car b. Car b is now purposely getting close to the van so not to let car a filter in. Car a is now running out of road so had to start pulling into the left hand lane. Car b has to drop back to allow car a into the left lane but remains very close to car a.

Car a then stops and car b hits the rear of car a off side.

Who is at fault and who would be liable in the event of an insurance claim?

Thanks

To me the highlighted bit is what makes this Car b's fault. There is no suggestion that Car a stopped suddenly or unexpectedly just that Car b, having let Car a in, was driving too close.

Strider590

LandyAndy wrote: »

Car b, having let Car a in, was driving too close.

Probably raging and driving 10mm from Car A's rear bumper because they were cheeky enough to use both lanes.

Unhappy_Camper_2

The police also agreed with car a's situation after they arrested one of car b passengers for assult. However I'm not so sure how the insurance will view it. The highway code bit has given me some hope.

System

LandyAndy wrote: »

Car b has to drop back to allow car a into the left lane but remains very close to car a.

To me the highlighted bit is what makes this Car b's fault. There is no suggestion that Car a stopped suddenly or unexpectedly just that Car b, having let Car a in, was driving too close.

maybe it was more the case that car B had to drop back otherwise car A would carry on driving into the side of him?