What is the correct thing to do in this dual carriageway situation (UK)?

Question

If you are driving along the dual carriageway at 65-70 mph in the left hand lane and find yourself approaching a car that is in the right hand lane doing a similar or slower speed to you yet has no intention to move back across to the left hand lane, what should you do?

Should you reduce your speed so as not to move alongside the car in the right hand lane or should you carry on at the speed at which you are travelling until you are past the car - or would this be under taking and be illegal?

It's a situation that I've been in a few times and I've always slowed down and made sure I didn't go alongside and try and pass the car in the right hand lane, but this can be very frustrating!

Answer 1

this is a good question the person in the right hand lane shouldn't be goin slower than people in the left hand lane so they are in the wrong and probably why its frustrating

Answer 2

Even though it's very frustrating, you've done the right thing. You are not allowed to undertake someone as it is very dangerous (if the person is not observing a suitable speed in the overtaking lane, they are probably not concentrating properly and just think of the consequences if they pulled back in just as you were getting passed them!).

Just breath deeply and count to ten if it happens again. And feel smug that you are the better driver.

Answer 3

we all know that it is frustrating, but you have been acting correctly, you can not undertake

Answer 4

The law is quite clear. It is illegal to pass on the nearside unless traffic is moving in queues. The situation that you describe is not a queue so you shouldn't pass him on the left.

The law is also clear that you should not cause an obstruction on the highway. In this case th vehicle in the right hand lane was blocking faster traffic. You should be able to report the vehicle for causing an obstruction and being driven in a manner that is "Without Due Care And Attention".

These people sit at 65mph in the middle of motorways too. I call them CLODS (Centre Lane Only Drivers). This sort of selfish bloffy mindedness is indicative of a certain sort of "sod you" mentality that probably shows in other aspects of their lives too.

Crush their cars I say! (I say nothing about letting them out first).

Answer 5

Never undertake, it is extremely dangerous for both you + other road users.

The best thing to do is to slow down and put your indicator on, let the other road users know what your intentions are. If you have to, slow right down and wait to move into the right hand lane behind the hogger. Hopefully, he/she will get the hint and will move into the left lane.

I hate it when this happens on motorways and people hog the middle lane. More teaching should be available for people who clearly have no clue what lane to travel in!

Answer 6

This is a very frustating thing that happens too often.  What you do is correct, the only legal way round them would be to indicate and pull out into the outside lane behind them and wait for them to move over.  Its like middle lane hoggers on the motorway, some people actually believe that the inside lane is for lorries!  I think there should be penalties for just being an inconsiderate driver, 2 warnings then a big fine.  That will teach them.

Answer 7

A regular problem. I usually signal right, pull out & sit behind the offending car. If there's no movement, I may flash my lights to warn the car ahead of my presence, and if there's still no joy, I will undertake.

This is perfectly legal, as you can pass on the left on a dual carriageway or motorway if traffic on your right is progressing slower than you are.

Quote;

268

Do not overtake on the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake. In congested conditions, where adjacent lanes of traffic are moving at similar speeds, traffic in left-hand lanes may sometimes be moving faster than traffic to the right. In these conditions you may keep up with the traffic in your lane even if this means passing traffic in the lane to your right. Do not weave in and out of lanes to overtake.

Answer 8

Undertaking is illegal but if some prawn has been in the outside lane for a couple of miles then it's a safe bet they aren't going to pull over so going past on the left is safe but not right/legal. The other alternative is to get up their behind with horn and headlights going but that is equally illegal and if they are dopey enough to do what they are doing they won't respond. I've also been in the same situation more times than I care to remember and these people need their licence ceremonially burned in front of them and then pointed in the direction of the nearest bus stop..  

Answer 9

If you don't feel comfortable approaching someone in an adjacent lane  who is co-speed with you, your choices are to either speed up a little to pass or drop back and fall in behind giving plenty of space in between +200 ft at 65 mph.

You are only responsible for the lane and space you occupy. If there is a striped line between the lanes that is the authority to pass and change lanes.

Answer 10

you are correct, undertaking is still illegal, the only exception is if you are in slow moving traffic due to an accident or breakdown on the carriageway

Answer 11

Know what you mean,you want to do the right thing and it can be quite difficult.The few times I`ve come up against this situation I`ve tried to see if there is a reason for it,i.e. satnav saying right turn but the roundabout is a mile away,that sort of thing.My solution,and not something I like doing,is to get behind the other vehicle,at a safe distance,and give a few flashes of the headlights to let the other driver know you`re there.Safety-wise I don`t like to do anything else.

Answer 12

You should pull into the right hand lane and display your intention to overtake - and then be patient until the other drivers sees you and pulls over.

Yes - it is frustrating but if you want to remain legal then this is the only course of action - either that or pull over and have a cup of tea until he has gone ;-)