overtaking

JustinR1979

How can an official rule include the word undertake?

Horizon81

neilmcl wrote: »

How do you know it's going to be safe to pass on the left. Clearly the middle lane hogger is in a world of their own and unless you can read their mind how do you know they wont suddenly decide to move over just as you're undertaking them.

If there's no problem overtaking the numptie properly then why take the risk.

I agree with this. There's always the danger they'll pull left and into your path if you're undertaking. It's on dual carriageways where it annoys me, where the slow driver in the right lane simply enjoys being there, or has done so about a mile earlier than he needed to for the upcoming right turn. What are you meant to do? Sit in the left lane matching their slow speed?

Joe_Horner

almillar wrote: »

Joe Horner:


that's the rule of the road, the police etc...



Nope - these are bad drivers at the distances you quote.

There's a big difference between moving to the left when appropriate and the obsessive "get left as soon as...." which is espoused regularly on places like this when MLMs are mentioned.

Incidentally, the rules of the road also include:

Not exceeding the speed limit.
Not harassing or intimidating other drivers.
Not using visual or audible warning devices (headlamp flashers and horns) except as a warning, and certainly never as a rebuke.
Not passing on the left except in certain prescribed circumstances.
Not driving too close, whether in an effort to make someone move over or just through bloody stupidity.

Yet all of the above are regularly both practiced and preached (as earlier in this thread) by the very people who so assiduously insist on upholding the One True Rule of "keep left".

The complete hypocricy would be quite funny if it didn't lead to so much bad driving!

Car_54

patman99 wrote: »

The official rule is -
You may only undertake legally if the vehicle/s in the lane to your right slow down to a speed lower than that being mainatined by the vehicles in the lane you are travelling in. Ie.e, your lane is moving at 60mph and the vehicles in the lane to your right slow down to 56 mph, then you can legally pass them to the left.

OR

If the lane markings indicate that the lane you are in is, in effect, a separate road. I.e. the main road is the A12, but the left-hand lane becomes the A133 before exiting at the next junction.

Under no other circumstances, may a vehicle undertake.

Where did you find that drivel?

patman99

Highway Code & local Traffic Unit Inspector

Herzlos

arcon5 wrote: »

A lot of people talking about circling the hogger, yet i've never in the 40k miles pa I drive have I actually seen this.

If though you did this to me, you'd get away with it once then after that you better be careful I don't slam my brakes on as you pulling behind me for a second time.

Problem is, if you want to be a !!!!, you need to be pretty confident the other guy isn't gonna retaliate because your teaching methods can quickly turn in to an expensive lesson involving a trip to court for dangerous driving

Why?

I've circled people 4/5 times in the past, perfectly legally, and occasionally with my cruise control still on. It's amazing how often you can pass the same car with cruise control on.

Usually after the first 2 they pull in though.

I assume you think people circle in small dangerous loops; that's not the case. You can do a lane 1->3->1 overtake and drop the speed back down a few mph and they'll maybe pass you 1/2 mile later, and then repeat.

iolanthe07

It is not illegal to undertake, but it is not advised and you can get prosecuted for careless driving. I often do it these days, having lived in the USA where it is perfectly common practice and works well.

Wig

patman99 wrote: »

Highway Code & local Traffic Unit Inspector

Well where is the link to your "official rule"?

JustinR1979

Wig wrote: »

Well where is the link to your "official rule"?

I want to see the word undertake in an official rule that refers to motoring and not funeral services.

sinizterguy

JustinR1979 wrote: »

I want to see the word undertake in an official rule that refers to motoring and not funeral services.

There will never be such a reference. It's just one of those misconceptions that seems to have made itself into a real word due to overuse.