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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think this driving manoeuvre was both safe and legal?

268 replies

AmazonAmazine · 27/05/2023 16:49

Arguing with my dad who was the passenger!

3 lane motorway. I was in the left lane, cruising around 70 as no one in front. Came up to a car in the centre lane doing around 50mph. The right lane was running fast, I’d guess over 70.

I assessed the safest thing to do was carry on being very vigilant and slow a little bit and steadily pass the slow car in my lane at around 60. The alternative was get behind it then attempt to accelerate into the fast flowing right lane, accelerating in between higher powered cars from a much lower speed. I’d been forced to slow a bit on approach already, there was no obvious gap in the right lane which everyone as crowding into on approach from the centre lane. The middle car clearly wasn’t shifting, the left lane ahead of me was very clear. The road wasn’t otherwise particularly busy, the right lane was just busy because of this car.

I was very aware, ultimately had a hard shoulder for emergency and I was watching the car well for any sign of switching lane.

iabu- you should have crossed back and forth over two lanes, as it’s always the passing lane
Ianbu- this was the safest way of dealing with the hazard.

OP posts:
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Original poster
AmazonAmazine · 27/05/2023 18:55

Iyiyiiii · 27/05/2023 18:35

Why would you be surprising them if they had a clear view of you in the left? Surely they would have had a clear view of you moving to the correct overtaking lane?

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If I went from behind them, then left, it would a potential surprise.
if I maintained my course from a good distance it isn’t going to be a case of just appearing on the left before passing.

OP posts:
Original poster
AmazonAmazine · 27/05/2023 18:54

Random789 · 27/05/2023 18:43

I've always understood the move described in the OP as being illegal and I wouldn't do it.

I would have been very infuriated by the middle-lane hogger. But it isn't really accurate to imply there was no alternative to undertaking. If you didn't feel confident moving into the outside lane, then the alternative was just to stay in one of the other two lanes without passing the lane-hogger.

Creating a rolling road block of cars at 50, all avoiding the right lane is pretty much the worst outcome

OP posts:
Original poster
AmazonAmazine · 27/05/2023 18:53

Dbank · 27/05/2023 18:19

Often tempting, to pass on the right but illegal in the UK (unless in slow moving congestion).

I can't deny doing it, but have realised it's not worth the risk.
If the offending car decides to move left just as you pass them and you collide you'll could be looking at a charge of dangerous driving.

Unlikely. They’d be the one manoeuvring without looking into me. It would be like turning into a car going at a similar speed, unless I rear-ended them.

OP posts:
Random789 · 27/05/2023 18:43

I've always understood the move described in the OP as being illegal and I wouldn't do it.

I would have been very infuriated by the middle-lane hogger. But it isn't really accurate to imply there was no alternative to undertaking. If you didn't feel confident moving into the outside lane, then the alternative was just to stay in one of the other two lanes without passing the lane-hogger.

EnthENd · 27/05/2023 18:43

I just pass the middle lane hoggers on the left with caution, being wary of the chance they change lanes. I'm with OP, I consider that less hazardous than four lane changes.

Undertaking is not outright illegal in Britain, but it can be treated as driving without due care. I've never heard of someone who was travelling below the speed limit in the left lane and continuing past a middle lane hogger being done for it though.

Iyiyiiii · 27/05/2023 18:35

AmazonAmazine · 27/05/2023 16:53

That was my argument. Undertaking would be to come up from behind then go left to go around, and surprise the driver appearing on the left. They had a long clear view of me in my lane driving steadily towards them.

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Why would you be surprising them if they had a clear view of you in the left? Surely they would have had a clear view of you moving to the correct overtaking lane?

Dbank · 27/05/2023 18:20

Sorry mean passing on the left!

Dbank · 27/05/2023 18:19

Often tempting, to pass on the right but illegal in the UK (unless in slow moving congestion).

I can't deny doing it, but have realised it's not worth the risk.
If the offending car decides to move left just as you pass them and you collide you'll could be looking at a charge of dangerous driving.

Irritateandunreasonable · 27/05/2023 18:01

GiveupHQ · 27/05/2023 16:54

You would failed a driving test for overtaking a car on the left. It would have constituted a major error

so there’s your answer

Wouldnt be taking a driving test on ghe

theGooHasGone · 27/05/2023 18:01

Not illegal to keep your speed in the same lane. If people hog the middle lane that's on them. It's safer to go past where you were than pull out two lanes because they're an inconsiderate arsehole.

TheInterceptor · 27/05/2023 17:59

bibbityboppityboo · 27/05/2023 16:53

I was taught it isn't illegal to pass on the inside, it's unwise as people don't expect people to pass on the left. My instructor said undertaking is a deliberate manoeuvre to the left to overtake on the left, vs continuing to move at the speed you were at to pass a driver in the wrong lane, you're following the flow of traffic - it's the middle lane driver who's the issue!

'Not illegal, but unwise'. Very apt.

User1529865 · 27/05/2023 17:58

AmazonAmazine · 27/05/2023 17:51

So you reckon if someone drove at 45/50 the left lane of lorries would go slower?

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I don't know what the lorries would do, when you are towing you are restricted to 60 anyway and tend not to move in and out too much just go with the flow in the left lane. I doubt the lorries and caravans would all slow down to keep behind the car though, there would be a huge gap in front like a rolling roadblock

JudgeRudy · 27/05/2023 17:58

You shouldn't need to undertake on a motorway.....but thanks to middle lane hogger you needed to....so you did, with competence and care. Its not illegal.

BillyNoM8s · 27/05/2023 17:56

BishopRock · 27/05/2023 16:56

How is it safe? The car in the middle lane might have decided to get into the left lane without looking, not expecting someone to be undertaking them. That's the reason you don't undertake. They've already proved themselves an idiot by hogging the middle lane, they could continue this.

This does not include times when there's roadworks etc and you're told to stay in lane, and the three lanes are going at variable speeds.

They shouldn't have a licence if they change lane without looking. Who the hell does that? Confused

Original poster
AmazonAmazine · 27/05/2023 17:55

QuintanaRoo · 27/05/2023 17:51

Reminds me of arguing with my ex boyfriend who used to be in the inside lane on the m25 and all lanes crawling. Then he’d slow even further /stop even though he could carry on at 15mph to keep up with the car infront. Because the middle lane had stopped! I said what on earth are you doing and he said he couldn’t undertake. So he’d literally stop on the m25 even though the road was clear. He wouldn’t believe me when I said it was ok to keep going!

Those days where the m25 crawls at 59 with 80% of cars in the furthest right of four lanes…

OP posts:
QuintanaRoo · 27/05/2023 17:51

Reminds me of arguing with my ex boyfriend who used to be in the inside lane on the m25 and all lanes crawling. Then he’d slow even further /stop even though he could carry on at 15mph to keep up with the car infront. Because the middle lane had stopped! I said what on earth are you doing and he said he couldn’t undertake. So he’d literally stop on the m25 even though the road was clear. He wouldn’t believe me when I said it was ok to keep going!

Original poster
AmazonAmazine · 27/05/2023 17:51

User1529865 · 27/05/2023 17:46

Cars towing caravans and lorries are not allowed in the outside lane on a three lane motorway so they wouldn't be able to overtake a slow middle lane hogger

So you reckon if someone drove at 45/50 the left lane of lorries would go slower?

OP posts:
Original poster
AmazonAmazine · 27/05/2023 17:50

Amdecre · 27/05/2023 17:33

I think the bit about a low powered car is a red herring. I had a 1 litre petrol fiesta back in the day and did fine amongst the powerful card in the motorway - get your foot to the floor in 4th gear and get on with it. What you did wasn't technically illegal but I wouldn't consider it great driving either. If you weren't confident you could have waited behind the other car. There is always a gap to pull out unless cars are bumper to bumper.

I wasn’t nervous at all. On approach it was just the safest solution to a clear hazard. 3 lanes of the motorway were rapidly squeezing in to one lane, with cars racing up behind over the speed limit. I could join the congested fast moving lane with multiple lane changes taking place very close together, or pass a hazard in safer conditions the other way. I was capable, but not going over the speed limit plus having poorer acceleration I would be forcing others to slow and brake by entering the lane. I’m not going to speed, plus I’m not going to pull away that well (automatic low powered at 50… no chance)

OP posts:
rwalker · 27/05/2023 17:49

i wouldn’t undertake drive on motorway daily and over the years seen a few near misses caused by undertaking

it’s a grey area if it’s illegal or not

but personally I don’t think it’s safe and bad driving

Ffsmakeitstop · 27/05/2023 17:47

GiveupHQ · 27/05/2023 16:54

You would failed a driving test for overtaking a car on the left. It would have constituted a major error

so there’s your answer

You can't take a driving test on a motorway. It"s not illegal.

User1529865 · 27/05/2023 17:46

Cars towing caravans and lorries are not allowed in the outside lane on a three lane motorway so they wouldn't be able to overtake a slow middle lane hogger

Redebs · 27/05/2023 17:45

Highway Code rule 268

Redebs · 27/05/2023 17:42

NineOfNine · 27/05/2023 16:59

I thought it was illegal to undertake like that.

It’s my understanding that undertaking is only legal when you’re in queues of slow moving traffic. Which wasn’t the case here.

Yep. Only time it's ok is if you're all queueing and going slowly. Never undertake.
Slow ďown and go round via the right hand lanes

Amdecre · 27/05/2023 17:33

I think the bit about a low powered car is a red herring. I had a 1 litre petrol fiesta back in the day and did fine amongst the powerful card in the motorway - get your foot to the floor in 4th gear and get on with it. What you did wasn't technically illegal but I wouldn't consider it great driving either. If you weren't confident you could have waited behind the other car. There is always a gap to pull out unless cars are bumper to bumper.

Pixiedust1234 · 27/05/2023 17:30

I didn’t inch, so as not to force them to remain in lane by blocking them. Should they make the right decision.
But you wouldn't have blocked them as they could legally speed up and overtake you since they were under the limit. And they should/would check their mirrors before moving into your lane anyway.

Interesting thread though as there's a lot more traffic on the motorway than even a few years ago.