Is it ok ??

[JB1]

Having been on a bit of a road trip today, a question came up. Whitest travelling on various motorways and major A roads with dual carriageways at the speed limit for the type of road overtaking slower traffic in the near side lane normally a few cars in succession the traffic was very light.. Is it ok or correct for a vehicle travelling in the near side lane when it comes up to a slower moving vehicle than themselves to simply pull over into the outside lane to overtake the slower moving lane so they do not have to slow down themselves but now as they are travelling well below the speed limit they now force the vehicles travelling in the outside lane to brake to slow down to their speed.? The slower vehicle could have speeded up to the outside lane so as not to affect the faster vehicles or waited for a gap to overtake the slower moving vehicle that they did not want to slow down for? I lost count of how many times this happened on my 300 mile trip?
What are your thoughts ? Is it ok / correct for the vehicle travelling well below the speed limit to drastically slow the faster moving traffic so they don’t have to slow to the speed of the vehicle in front of them.??

 

[otherclive]

Having been on a bit of a road trip today, a question came up. Whitest travelling on various motorways and major A roads with dual carriageways at the speed limit for the type of road overtaking slower traffic in the near side lane normally a few cars in succession the traffic was very light.. Is it ok or correct for a vehicle travelling in the near side lane when it comes up to a slower moving vehicle than themselves to simply pull over into the outside lane to overtake the slower moving lane so they do not have to slow down themselves but now as they are travelling well below the speed limit they now force the vehicles travelling in the outside lane to brake to slow down to their speed.? The slower vehicle could have speeded up to the outside lane so as not to affect the faster vehicles or waited for a gap to overtake the slower moving vehicle that they did not want to slow down for? I lost count of how many times this happened on my 300 mile trip?
What are your thoughts ? Is it ok / correct for the vehicle travelling well below the speed limit to drastically slow the faster moving traffic so they don’t have to slow to the speed of the vehicle in front of them.??

Whilst not illegal it may not be best practice. But you have to be patient and live with it.

 

[Mr Plodd]

Not really acceptable in my view, but certainly not an offence. But sadly many drivers only ever look out of the front and are bliissfully unaware of whats behind them (and don't care)

 

[Beardy]

I guess the scenario you're talking about is where you're towing a caravan (at 60) on a dual carriageway and approaching a vehicle doing 50. In that situation I would wait until I judge that there is a big enough gap in the outside lane so a car traveling at 70 could slow down to 60 without braking, or even better wait for a gap big enough for me to overtake and return to the nearside lane before a vehicle traveling at 70 in the outside lane needs to slow down.
We've all been on a dual carriageway when a HGV travelling at 56mph pulls out to overtake another HGV travelling at 55mph and clogs up the road for a mile while they overtake, I'd rather drop my speed a little than cause that situation.

 

[Buckman]

You are allowed to do 60mph on a dual carriageway so I have no qualms about pulling out to overtake a slower vehicle when it is safe. If a car then catches up with me as they are doing 70mph while over taking, they will have to be patient and wait until I have over taken the other vehicle.

How often have you been stuck behind HGVs on a dual carriage when there has been a HGV doing 57.9mph overtaking another HGV that is doing 57.5mph?

 

[JB1]

I guess the scenario you're talking about is where you're towing a caravan (at 60) on a dual carriageway and approaching a vehicle doing 50. In that situation I would wait until I judge that there is a big enough gap in the outside lane so a car traveling at 70 could slow down to 60 without braking, or even better wait for a gap big enough for me to overtake and return to the nearside lane before a vehicle traveling at 70 in the outside lane needs to slow down.
We've all been on a dual carriageway when a HGV travelling at 56mph pulls out to overtake another HGV travelling at 55mph and clogs up the road for a mile while they overtake, I'd rather drop my speed a little than cause that situation.

This was a solo trip, where numerous times mainly cars pulled out so they did not have to slow down or brake to overtake a slower vehicle or a vehicle joining the carriage way they were in ,but slowed down the traffic in the lane they pulled into often severely enough to cause the traffic travelling faster to brake?

 

[Dustydog]

Mr Plodd will know.
I recall a while back reading about someone being fined for going too slow on a dual carriageway . He was causing a sever tailback . His speed ? Circa 20 mph.

 

[Buckman]

Mr Plodd will know.
I recall a while back reading about someone being fined for going too slow on a dual carriageway . He was causing a sever tailback . His speed ? Circa 20 mph.

In Somerset a tractor diver was fined for not pulling over. https://www.fwi.co.uk/news/tractor-driver-speaks-fine-50-car-tailback

 

[ProfJohnL]

Every driver is held responsible for their actions, when deciding to overtake you have to be sure there is space enough to pull out and (if necessary) accelerate to your permitted maximum safely and in manner that is not going to cause a problem or unnecessary inconvenience to other legitimate road users.

From my own observations, there are far more inconsiderate drivers now than I.ve ever seen before, poor lane discipline, not using the correct signals, undertaking, speeding and others too many to mention.

Drive defensively and expect, idiots to change lane or pull out in front of you without warning.

 

[Hutch]

There is another annoying scenario, your in the inside lane on a 3 , lane motorway, towing at say 58 mph, and a vehicle is in lane 2 , driving along, at 50 mph, NOT in a queue of traffic. I tend to stay in the inner lane, make them aware of myself with a blast of my horn and slowly pass them, on the inside.

 

[JB1]

There is another annoying scenario, your in the inside lane on a 3 , lane motorway, towing at say 58 mph, and a vehicle is in lane 2 , driving along, at 50 mph, NOT in a queue of traffic. I tend to stay in the inner lane, make them aware of myself with a blast of my horn and slowly pass them, on the inside.

You will also see a similar situation driving in MK where are car will be in the right hand lane in the stretch of the dual carriageway between roundabouts for approx 1/2 mile to a mile driving well below the speed limit to turn right at the next or possibly the one after the next roundabout causing lots of followers to undertake ? Why do so many drivers not know how to drive considering other road users and the high way code. Shocking really.

 

[Dustydog]

You will also see a similar situation driving in MK where are car will be in the right hand lane in the stretch of the dual carriageway between roundabouts for approx 1/2 mile to a mile driving well below the speed limit to turn right at the next or possibly the one after the next roundabout causing lots of followers to undertake ? Why do so many drivers not know how to drive considering other road users and the high way code. Shocking really.

Is that car a silver Santa Fe by any chance?

 

[Hutch]

Thank goodness mine is White.

 

[Dustydog]

I never thought it was yours 😎😎

 

[Buckman]

You will also see a similar situation driving in MK where are car will be in the right hand lane in the stretch of the dual carriageway between roundabouts for approx 1/2 mile to a mile driving well below the speed limit to turn right at the next or possibly the one after the next roundabout causing lots of followers to undertake ? Why do so many drivers not know how to drive considering other road users and the high way code. Shocking really.

In my opinion, in MK that would be acceptable and doing the correct style of driving as you are thinking ahead.

 

[Sam Vimes]

Life is generally not as black and white as we'd think it might be at times.

If towing along a road with more than one carriageway, we're more than likely to be slower than traffic coming from behind.

We then need to make a right turn but the traffic behind is coming along thick and fast. You spot a gap in the outside lane and have to go for it even knowing that you're slower and will also be slowing down even more.

Consideration for other road users works both ways.

 

[Beardy]

In my opinion, in MK that would be acceptable and doing the correct style of driving as you are thinking ahead.

It would be if driving close to the speed limit (assuming good traffic and road conditions). However, sitting in the righthand lane for half a mile (if not overtaking) contravenes the highway code. Doing it 'well below the speed limit' frustrates other road users.

 

[JB1]

Life is generally not as black and white as we'd think it might be at times.

If towing along a road with more than one carriageway, we're more than likely to be slower than traffic coming from behind.

We then need to make a right turn but the traffic behind is coming along thick and fast. You spot a gap in the outside lane and have to go for it even knowing that you're slower and will also be slowing down even more.

Consideration for other road users works both ways.

As you say it’s not black and white , I think the main issue is when the roads are quiet and should be free flowing inconsiderate drivers holding everyone else up for no other reason than not caring or being aware or poor road craft. Over the years I’ve heard people say things like , oh I can’t park or revise into a space, when I suggest they get some additional driving lessons to help them , they are always a bit defensive or offended. However everyday is a school day in my option your always learning and improving your skills.
I do think a lot of people think I’ve passed my driving test I am a driver now, not ok I can legally drive now I can really lean how to drive.

 

[Buckman]

It would be if driving close to the speed limit (assuming good traffic and road conditions). However, sitting in the righthand lane for half a mile (if not overtaking) contravenes the highway code. Doing it 'well below the speed limit' frustrates other road users.

I am not a weaver like some other people who endanger other road users weaving in and out of lanes. I prefer to plan ahead when driving as it makes it safe for all! Generally on normal roads, one waits for the opportunity to safely move into the right lane if turning right 1/2 to one mile ahead. MK is a bit of an exceptional due to the short distances between round abouts.

 

[Beardy]

I am not a weaver like some other people who endanger other road users weaving in and out of lanes. I prefer to plan ahead when driving as it makes it safe for all! Generally on normal roads, one waits for the opportunity to safely move into the right lane if turning right 1/2 to one mile ahead. MK is a bit of an exceptional due to the short distances between round abouts.

May I ask in which country one learnt to drive?

 

[Buckman]

May I ask in which country one learnt to drive?

Of course you can ask.