Not the highway code

facade

Nasqueron wrote: »

-If impatient, use the hashed areas to overtake. The highway code says "only when necessary" but getting to your destination 1 minute sooner is necessary so that's ok

It is ok.



You might get a puncture, as the road debris tends to pile up there, because most people are frightened of hashing, but you can overtake on it provided that it is bounded by broken lines. Since most hashing was put down by councils to discourage overtaking and slow down traffic, I don't see a problem.

facade

When turning left, first move your vehicle as far to the right as possible, preferably with the wheels over the centre of the carriageway.
When turning right, first move as far to the left as possible as if you are parking.


When driving a wide vehicle, such as a mk1 Nissan micra, along a very narrow (less than 30 feet wide) lane, always take a position straddling the centre of the road.


When approaching a parked car on the other side of the road at the same time as oncoming traffic, always slow down with them, and mirror their pace, so that they are forced to stop rather than simply slow slightly whilst you pass the car. Then when both of you are stopped, continually flash your lights and gesticulate that they should go before you.

Tokk

Always drag your brakes around corners, the brake lights are there to warn the car behind that there's a corner ahead.

If particularly adept at the above, to the extent that the car behind seems to get significantly closer to you during corners, make sure to accelerate hard on the straights to increase the gap again - they couldn't possibly want to overtake, after all, you're the better driver here.

facade

To avoid getting stuck behind a large vehicle moving slowly at only 50mph, always pull out in front of it, as close to its front wheels as possible. Then you will be able to drive at 25mph without getting held up, and the driver will be grateful for the opportunity to warm up his brakes.

Nasqueron

facade wrote: »

It is ok.



You might get a puncture, as the road debris tends to pile up there, because most people are frightened of hashing, but you can overtake on it provided that it is bounded by broken lines. Since most hashing was put down by councils to discourage overtaking and slow down traffic, I don't see a problem.

Nah it isn't.

A common myth. The highway code says you should not do it, unless "necessary".

130
Areas of white diagonal stripes or chevrons painted on the road. These are to separate traffic lanes or to protect traffic turning right.

• If the area is bordered by a broken white line, you should not enter the area unless it is necessary and you can see that it is safe to do so.

Overtaking because you are impatient is not a necessary reason. It's clearly talking about passing an obstruction like a broken down car where, if you couldn't use the hatched area, you would have to wait behind them until a tow truck comes. The highway code is treated as a guide for good driving practice and breaches of it can be dealt with by using general offences such as "driving without due care and attention".

Although failure to comply with the other rules of The Highway Code will not, in itself, cause a person to be prosecuted, The Highway Code may be used in evidence in any court proceedings under the Traffic Acts (see The road user and the law) to establish liability. This includes rules which use advisory wording such as ‘should/should not’ or ‘do/do not’

The highway code is stuffed full of advice about safe and careful driving, telling people to be courteous and not take risks. Do you honestly believe that for this one specific rule they decided to throw away all that guidance and say that people could use these areas because they want to drive faster?

facade

If the hatchings actually were to separate lanes of traffic, or to protect traffic turning right, fine, when they are simply a substitution for the broken white line to discourage overtaking, and encourage slower driving because of reduced width (You can't possibly fit a MK1 Micra in a lane that small, better go really slowly) in long straight stretches like round here, then I think overtaking someone doing 25mph in a 40 or 50 is necessary.

Nasqueron

facade wrote: »

If the hatchings actually were to separate lanes of traffic, or to protect traffic turning right, fine, when they are simply a substitution for the broken white line to discourage overtaking, and encourage slower driving because of reduced width (You can't possibly fit a MK1 Micra in a lane that small, better go really slowly) in long straight stretches like round here, then I think overtaking someone doing 25mph in a 40 or 50 is necessary.

Yes but that's missing the point, what YOU think is irrelevant, it's what the police and indeed, the courts, think.

The highway code makes it clear that you should be careful, considerate, not drive aggressively etc.

Examples

Preface:
It is important that all road users are aware of The Highway Code and are considerate towards each other

Rule 147
Be considerate. Be careful of and considerate towards all types of road users, especially those requiring extra care

-be patient; remember that anyone can make a mistake
-Not allow yourself to become agitated or involved if someone is behaving badly on the road. This will only make the situation worse. Pull over, calm down and, when you feel relaxed, continue your journey
-Slow down and hold back if a road user pulls out into your path at a junction. Allow them to get clear. Do not over-react by driving too close behind to intimidate them.

Rule 222
Be patient, as larger vehicles are subject to lower speed limits than cars and motorcycles. Many large vehicles may be fitted with speed limiting devices which will restrict speed to 56 mph (90 km/h) even on a motorway.

You believe it is necessary to overtake so you can drive faster

Rule 146. Adapt your driving to the appropriate type and condition of road you are on. In particular:
-Do not treat speed limits as a target. It is often not appropriate or safe to drive at the maximum speed limit

It's very clear that the highway code was not written with the intention of encouraging fast and/or impatient driving, so there is no logic behind the idea that they wrote 130 with the intention of you using the hatched areas to overtake because you are impatient.

Tokk

Remember, if the road opens up into two lanes for a short distance (to allow overtaking) you should absolutely NOT maintain steady speed, you should always speed up. If someone attempts to overtake, speed up more.

z1a

When joining a motorway, use the entire quarter mile slip road to gently increase you speed to about 35MPH.

Robisere

Just because every other vehicle traveling towards and behind you has their lights on in bad visibility, does not mean that you should switch on your lights as well.

I mean, it isn't even nighttime yet! What are these drivers playing at?

And it drains my battery!