Merging lanes - hyperthetic question

prowla

Zero_Gravitas wrote: »

When I was learning to drive, the rule was that you should give way to traffic merging from the right. This might be in a one-way system, for example, where you might join the system in the RH lane, but need to exit from the left-hand lane. This has always seemed sensible and consistent to me


However, I can't find a mention of this in the current version of the Highway Code - and in any case, defensive driving takes precedence (i.e. there's no point in crashing and being right, if you can not crash at all...)


Best Regards,


ZG.

Hmmm - as I recall there are the following instances where you can overtake on the left:
1. If you are passing a car which is turning right.
2. On a one-way street.
3. If there are queues and the left lane is moving faster than the right.
4. If directed by a traffic policeman.

However, I can't see the one-way street one in the current online Highway Code. Maybe it has changed?

Highway Code #143 states:

you should use:

• the left-hand lane when going left
• the right-hand lane when going right
• the most appropriate lane when going straight ahead. Remember - traffic could be passing on both sides.

Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & RTRA sects 5 & 8

The 3rd point implies that cars may be passing you on the left.

DaveF327

forgotmyname wrote: »

I had a similar issue some time back, But on the motorway.

Heavy traffic in a section of roadworks. Cars all bunched up as we approached an exit. Barely more than a car length between most cars. I had a slightly bigger gap as the vehicle ahead was a large HGV.
Car overtook me and pulled in so close to the HGV i thought he was trying to clean his headlights on the lorry.
As the exit approached the car in front failed to take the slip. I think OK he is either a !!!! or omnthe phone thats why he took the left lane.

I take the slip and accelerate. Screech of brakes and mr !!!! did want to take the slip afterall but decided he wanted to take some cones with him.

He had pulled in so close to the lorry he couldnt actually see the slip road. Only spotting it as i passed him to the left. Then he obviously thought oh..s..
I want that slip road. Then the cones started.

I bet this was a BMW.

custardy

A lot of people talking of overtaking.
I assumed it was a piece of road like this.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=livingston&ll=55.917082,-3.5435&spn=0.001374,0.003785&client=opera&hnear=Livingston,+West+Lothian,+United+Kingdom&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=55.917082,-3.5435&panoid=uhOsIoNw9BdD5-84sObOmA&cbp=12,259.39,,0,0

WTFH wrote: »

Yes, if it's a case of both lanes ending and both are merging together, I agree, indicating would not help. If, as you say, there is a line to be crossed, then you should indicate.

But we still haven't heard back from the OP as to why he didn't pull in after he had passed the other driver - he said he was ahead for some time.

If its like the above. it makes more sense to hold lane and zip merge as the lanes merge. Assuming the other driver is aware of the set up.
that one above can get nasty as theres a slip road joining not long before the lane merge

iltisman

I treat all other motorists as homicidal maniacs whose sole intention is to cause a bone splintering accident so I always give way and keep my distance.

Strider590

Merge points in this country are a nightmare, it doesn't matter if the road opens back up again in 100 yards time, 90% of drivers WILL race/block you.

I hate to say, but it's ESPECIALLY true of women...... I suspect because more men would check out your cars performance versus their own before being risking looking stupid, where as most women just see a red/grey/black/white car "pushing into the queue".

The thing to do, is get way ahead before the merge, continue along the lane, watch your mirrors for an attempted undertake and move sparply back into the LH lane if they are trying anything stupid. What makes me laugh, is you do this and then they're like FLASH, HOOOOOOONK, FLAAAAAASH, as if YOU were the one doing something wrong..... lol.

nobbysn*ts

Strider590 wrote: »

Merge points in this country are a nightmare, it doesn't matter if the road opens back up again in 100 yards time, 90% of drivers WILL race/block you.

I hate to say, but it's ESPECIALLY true of women...... I suspect because more men would check out your cars performance versus their own before being risking looking stupid, where as most women just see a red/grey/black/white car "pushing into the queue".

The thing to do, is get way ahead before the merge, continue along the lane, watch your mirrors for an attempted undertake and move sparply back into the LH lane if they are trying anything stupid. What makes me laugh, is you do this and then they're like FLASH, HOOOOOOONK, FLAAAAAASH, as if YOU were the one doing something wrong..... lol.

So you just hang on in the right hand lane, in spite of the left hand lane being clear enough to pull back into, until the traffic on the left catches you up again, then carve them up? K**bhead.

Strider590

nobbysn*ts wrote: »

So you just hang on in the right hand lane, in spite of the left hand lane being clear enough to pull back into, until the traffic on the left catches you up again, then carve them up? K**bhead.

Why should they catch me up if i'm going fast enough to have already overtaken them?
If they catch up, or try to stop me merging then they're the knobheads..... Not only is it irresponsible, but technically it's also classed as "racing", which in turn carries a hefty punishment under law.

nobbysn*ts

Strider590 wrote: »

Why should they catch me up if i'm going fast enough to have already overtaken them?
If they catch up, or try to stop me merging then they're the knobheads..... Not only is it irresponsible, but technically it's also classed as "racing", which in turn carries a hefty punishment under law.

Do you still have the brains you where born with? You say you've already overtaken them and you say there's a big gap on your left, but you wait until they catch back up. Then you say you watch your mirrors then carve them up when you pull back in. Do you think it's your own lane out there, and you can somehow set the speed limit in your wannabe police car? I hope you meet a real one shortly, then you'll only be a hazard on your Playstation.

Strider590

nobbysn*ts wrote: »

Do you still have the brains you where born with? You say you've already overtaken them and you say there's a big gap on your left, but you wait until they catch back up. Then you say you watch your mirrors then carve them up when you pull back in. Do you think it's your own lane out there, and you can somehow set the speed limit in your wannabe police car? I hope you meet a real one shortly, then you'll only be a hazard on your Playstation.

I don't understand why, or even how your managing to misread and misunderstand what i've said.......

If i'm already a few car lengths ahead and they accelerate to try and "revenge" undertake me before the merge, then yeah they're gonna end up getting cut off. I watch to make sure I can stop them behaving like c*nts BEFORE we actually merge, otherwise then it could get messy.

aileth

Zero_Gravitas wrote: »

When I was learning to drive, the rule was that you should give way to traffic merging from the right. This might be in a one-way system, for example, where you might join the system in the RH lane, but need to exit from the left-hand lane. This has always seemed sensible and consistent to me
.

I had always thought this too, but when I moved to my city I found a merge point where a bus lane and normal lane merge into each other. However, the bus lane on the left is given priority and the markings on the road indicate the right hand lane has to give priority to the left merging (the way the road is set up, the left merges into the right)

This has caused so many near misses as cars who don't frequent the area don't expect it and the buses and taxis are always really aggressive about it and will frequently try to push cars into the other side of the road rather than everyone 'slotting in' together. Yes, the merge might indicate they have priority, but surely the point of a merge is traffic slotting in together rather than people racing to try and block each other, even if there is a space.