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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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Fandabedodgy · 27/05/2023 16:59

AmazonAmazine · 27/05/2023 16:57

So you would sit at 50 behind it then attempt to nip in between cars at 70-80? Even in a lower powered car? And just hope everyone braked for you as you got up to speed? There’s an obvious hazard in that

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Eh no. I would have waited until it was safe to overtake them.

Have you actually passed your driving test?

LlynTegid · 27/05/2023 17:02

Your dad should have taken a photo or video of the middle lane hogger and be reporting this to the police. On the grounds he or she is unfit to drive.

You should have overtaken on the right, and perhaps your dad could have made gestures to the middle lane hogger.

Divorcedalongtime · 27/05/2023 17:02

AmazonAmazine · 27/05/2023 16:54

That’s good to hear. I also gave the example of when traffic is queuing and lanes flow at different speeds. Sometimes the left lanes start moving before the right, we don’t all sit and wait until the right lane moves! If we did and there was an a lane closure we’d never escape

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It doesn’t apply when in traffic though, for obvious reasons

Pixiedust1234 · 27/05/2023 17:02

It's classed as undertaking and not allowed.

However if the far right lane was full of traffic too then I would have done the same as you. Dropped my speed to nearly match theirs and slowly inch past, then resume normal speed.

Lockheart · 27/05/2023 17:03

Divorcedalongtime · 27/05/2023 16:51

Safe yes, illegal also yes. Many of us would have chosen to do what you did but your dad is still right

Undertaking is not illegal.

It can be classified as dangerous driving, depending on the circumstances.

Original poster
AmazonAmazine · 27/05/2023 17:06

I’m googling. I can find it’s an advisory note, but not illegal unless dangerous. Rule 268. But no offence in itself, unless dangerously done.

OP posts:
Original poster
AmazonAmazine · 27/05/2023 17:07

Pixiedust1234 · 27/05/2023 17:02

It's classed as undertaking and not allowed.

However if the far right lane was full of traffic too then I would have done the same as you. Dropped my speed to nearly match theirs and slowly inch past, then resume normal speed.

I didn’t inch, so as not to force them to remain in lane by blocking them. Should they make the right decision.
I also didn’t trust them to look, so didn’t want to be there for ages! I didn’t zoom, but I passed steadily

OP posts:
Lockheart · 27/05/2023 17:11

There is a good reason this manoeuvre is not illegal - because it's unsafe to expect lorries / caravans etc to move to the outside lane to overtake a middle lane hogger. Its safer for large vehicles to stay in the inside lane and keep progressing at a constant speed.

If you're undertaking by zipping in and out of lanes to get to the front it's a very different prospect to maintaining speed and making progress in a single, clear lane.

Lockheart · 27/05/2023 17:13

AmazonAmazine · 27/05/2023 17:07

I didn’t inch, so as not to force them to remain in lane by blocking them. Should they make the right decision.
I also didn’t trust them to look, so didn’t want to be there for ages! I didn’t zoom, but I passed steadily

Show quote history

You're correct, don't inch past. Whenever you are passing a vehicle, always move past promptly so that other vehicles can also pass.

Original poster
AmazonAmazine · 27/05/2023 17:16

Rule 268Do 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.

found it, above.

The last bit does say ‘do not weave in and out of lanes to overtake’ also. I’d have been practically orbiting the middle lane hogger.

OP posts:
araiwa · 27/05/2023 17:19

Rule 268Do not overtake on the left

Seems pretty clear

Original poster
AmazonAmazine · 27/05/2023 17:20

araiwa · 27/05/2023 17:19

Rule 268Do not overtake on the left

Seems pretty clear

As advice. Not illegal. I acknowledge the advice, but not an offence

OP posts:
Original poster
AmazonAmazine · 27/05/2023 17:22

Well, as a plus with the majority of people squeezing all 3 lanes in the right lane and then staying there because it was slowing down to 70ish and congested… so they weren’t moving left to go slower…. I had miles and miles of two empty lanes to myself!

OP posts:
Anewuser · 27/05/2023 17:25

Well as you’ve read, it’s not illegal but you could be charged with careless or dangerous driving. This would only happen if you were being followed by a police officer with video to prove it.

You could argue the point in court or take the points, FPN or driver awareness course.

As it is, this is all ifs, buts and maybes.

GreenIsle · 27/05/2023 17:26

Op you just mention how could you drive behind them at a slower speed and thought it would be dangerous to manoeuvre into a lane where cars are driving faster at a higher speed given your lower powered car.

So how do you merge onto a motorway when this is exactly what your doing.

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 27/05/2023 17:28

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

If you're driving on the motorway during a driving test I'd suggest you have more problems than undertaking another vehicle.

It's not illegal OP. And as for posters saying the middle lane hogger might have maneuvered into the left lane without realising she was there, that's on the other car for not checking their mirrors! You don't just move into a left lane without checking properly 😂

museumum · 27/05/2023 17:28

AmazonAmazine · 27/05/2023 16:57

So you would sit at 50 behind it then attempt to nip in between cars at 70-80? Even in a lower powered car? And just hope everyone braked for you as you got up to speed? There’s an obvious hazard in that

Show quote history

You should notice you’re gaining quickly on the lane hogger with enough time to signal and move to your right before you’re right behind them and braking to 50.

Anewuser · 27/05/2023 17:29

And if the copper pulled you over, I would hope they get the middle lane hogger as well, because that is illegal and an offence.

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.

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.

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

Redebs · 27/05/2023 17:45

Highway Code rule 268

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

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.

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