Millions of motorists face £100 FINES when new laws come into effect on FRIDAY !!

[T.C.]

Personally, i would have liked to see another punishment. If you get caught 3 times in breach of the highway code

 

The problem you have there is that the Highway Code is not law, but simply a set of rules and guidelines (except of course where the rule is backed up by a traffic order or regulation), apart from which not all aspects of the Highway Code are factually correct or enforceable.

 

But back to the original point is the fact that it is not the rules that have changed, it is the way these rules are enforced. Centre Lane hogging has always been an offence, in particular under a sub section of section 3 or the road traffic act, driving without reasonable consideration for other road users, and i was booking people for this offence back in the 70's and 80's.

 

A recent survey (I think by the IAM) has revealed that 1 in 10 drivers believes that lane 1 is for HGV's only. That goes to show how lazy and uneducated the motoring public are by and large.

 

I was the guest speaker a few weeks ago and the subject was raised and I was asked for my opinion. I threw it back and asked them what they thought the Highway Code said, and the number that responded that it said Slow, fast and overtaking was astounding. 99% did not realise that lane 1 is the driving lane and lanes 2 and 3 were simply overtaking lanes, and then I pulled out a few pictures of Motorway crashes I have dealt with over the years which have occurred as a result of drivers hogging lane 2 and it made a few people take notice and a few cringe.

 

The same with hand held mobiles. The number of people I see with a phone glued to their ear, which is not only a giveaway, but also causes a physical reduction in the control of their vehicle, and yet for 5 or 6 quid they could get a Bluetooth, but they are quite happy to put themselves and others at risk by continuing to use a hand held, not to mention that it is usually these morons who are the first to moan when they get caught and fined!

 

Sorry, I will get off my soap box now, rant over

[T.C.]

Sorry, wrong terminology. "Against the advice of the Highway Code"

 

To be pedantic, I don't believe that middle lane hogging is explicitely prohibited with its own section in statute. It comes under the general rule of "driving without due care & consideration for other road users" which is what you would get a FPN for if you undertook like the idiot did when undertaking Tryst

 

The Highway Code is not law, except where the rule is supported by an act and section, traffic order or regulation.

 

As far as lane hogging is concerned, you ate right it is covered under section 3 of the Road Traffic Act as I have already mentioned but as undertaking is concerned, as someone else has rightly pointed out, undertaking is not illegal, in fact the specific offence was removed from the 1972 Road Traffic Act and it became a requirement that to prosecute that the standard of driving fell well below that expected of a reasonably safe and competent driver. The simple act of undertaking is insufficient on its own, but if it was at excessive speed or weaving from lane to lane, then that might well justify a prosecution.

 

But there is a statutory duty of care on the part of the drivers in the outside lane to ensure that it is safe to return to the nearside lane (There is no such thing as a fast lane on a Motorway btw)

 

Even the civil courts are starting to accept this now as I have had a couple of crash cases where the motorcyclist has been undertaking and a vehicle returning to the nearside lane without having first checked that it was safe to do so but had been witnessed as having spent an unreasonable period of time in the centre lane when not overtaking, has been held liable for causation

[T.C.]

 

BTW, when was that removed?

 

Another good reason for repeating the theory test every 4 years, as with US licenses. So you can keep up to date with the latest changes to the Highway Code and the law.

 

The clue to the first part of your post as to when it was removed? 1972 Road Traffic Act?

 

In respect of retesting, it was seriously considered a few years ago, and I remember it clearly because I was one of a number of advanced examiners who were approached and asked if we would be interested in becoming re-test examiners as the logistics would place too much strain on the existing system as the DSA examiners would not be able to cope with the extra work load.

 

Then someone in Government pointed out that making drivers sit a re-test every 5 or 10 years would be a guaranteed vote loser, and so it was quickly and quietly dropped.

[T.C.]

I personally am glad the these new laws have come in to effect.

 

What new laws? I repeat my earlier thread, it is not the legislation that has changed (the offences have always been there) it is simply the way it will be enforced!

[T.C.]

In view of the 100 car pile up in Kent this morning, if I come across a thick bank of fog I must admit I would think that using the middle lane will be the safer option. I have seen what two HGVs can do to a car that is crushed between them.

The car was travelling slowly in the slow lane when a HGV caught up with it and rear ended it and pushed it into the HGV in front who was also travelling slowly due to fog!

 

So you are a driver that still refers to slow lane, middle lane and fast lane? There is no such thing. We have a left hand driving lane and 2 overtaking lanes, and that is all they are "Overtaking lanes"!

 

Lane 1 (The left hand driving lane) is 99% of the time the safer option as you have the hard shoulder as your escape route, but by using the middle lane leaves you with very few options.

 

Anyone remember the big pile up on the M4 in 1991 when 25 burnt to death? I was first on scene and watched all of them burn alive (not a pretty sight) because our fire extinguishers were no match for the blaze. The majority of those who died were in the middle lane simply because they treated it as a cruising lane.

 

Had they used lane 1 which was empty, many of them would still be alive today.

 

So sorry, I have to refute your argument.

 

I conducted an advanced test the other day. Driver got most upset when I failed him because we travelled for over 4 miles in the middle lane when the inside lane was empty. True he was given bad instruction as well, but as an experienced driver he was actually quite embarrassed, but given the views expressed by many on this particular subject, it goes to prove that there is a serious lack of understanding and knowledge in respect of Motorway driving.

 

Spend 24 hours working the Motorway and opinions would soon change, but some drivers really do need some serious re-education!

[T.C.]

TC just to enlighten you, I passed my advanced driving licence many years ago when I served in the police force as I drove pursuit cars. That test is far more stringent that any advanced driving test available to the general public.

If one refers to the inside, middle and outside lane many people are confused, but using the terms "slow, middle and fast lane" every one understands however if you wish to be pedantic that is your option.

BTW if the driver you failed was taught by an advanced driving instructor, that instructor should have their advanced driving licence revoked!

 

I am fully aware of the requirements of the Police advanced standard, I qualified as an instructor during my service, and I have been an advanced examiner for over 30 years.

 

But now that you have taught me to suck eggs and revealed your background, it is shameful that in one sentence you undo a lot of work done by many others in trying to educate the motoring public in Motorway driving by returning to phrases and descriptions that have never existed. You of all people should know better, and yes call it pedantic if you wish, but when it comes to driver education, there is no half measures, and you of all people should know better.

 

And in respect of the tutor who taught the test candidate, yes, he was reported to his group, and again given your background you of all people should know that there is no such thing as an advanced licence!!!!

[T.C.]

I think you are now being very childish and showing your immaturity!

 

Fine, think as you wish, but for someone who is supposed to be as qualified and as experienced as you claim, then you should take a good look at yourself, because it is people like you that do more damage than those less fortunate to have gone through the training that you claim you have done, and should know better.

 

Pot calling the kettle black springs to mind, but in any case I am not going to enter into a slagging match on a public forum with someone like you, as it is clearly you that is being childish with your lame comments and observations. Just a shame I cannot block people like you.

[T.C.]

User CP > Edit Ignore list.

 

Thank you for that it is appreciated. Now done.