Undertaking

[Christmas themed thank]

Hi all,

I was driving yesterday in the left hand lane with a car in the right hand lane overtaking me. Suddenly they slowed down very quickly and there were cars reasonably close behind me. So, after slowing down a bit I then proceeded to undertake the car as I believed it was the safer thing to do.

Was this the right course of action?

 

[Jokester]

Yes.

You weren't undertaking by the way.

 

[Semple]

So many people think that if you're going faster on the inside lane it's classed as undertaking. Frankly if i'm on the inside lane and all the cars in the middle lane start to slow down, i don't match their speed, i continue at my normal speed until i eventually reach another car infront and then signal to move out.

 

[muon]

So how is undertaking wrong then. I could very reasonably switch to the inside lane, travel faster the the outer lane(s) and then take a position in front once I come across slower traffic in the inside lane. Obviously this doesn't entail weaving through lanes.

I do this all the time.

 

[Jokester]

So how is undertaking wrong then. I could very reasonably switch to the inside lane, travel faster the the outer lane(s) and then take a position in front once I come across slower traffic in the inside lane. Obviously this doesn't entail weaving through lanes.

I do this all the time.

I don't think it's wrong either, it used to be against the Highway Code (perhaps still is), but the latest guidance I believe is that unless you're weaving in and out of traffic (and hence careless/dangerous driving) the police won't bother you - but will instead stop the person in the wrong lane for lane discipline offences instead.

 

[Semple]

I don't think it's wrong either, it used to be against the Highway Code (perhaps still is), but the latest guidance I believe is that unless you're weaving in and out of traffic (and hence careless/dangerous driving) the police won't bother you - but will instead stop the person in the wrong lane for lane discipline offences instead.

As above, there's quite a detailed thread over on the RAC forums discussing undertaking. Just be cautious of the person in the middle lane eventually moving over as you go past them on the inside.