Leaving a Motorway

[Sorry Pete]

Okay, one for you that I've been meaning to ask for while since it happened though never got round to it.

Say lane one is a dedicated filter lane for leaving at the next junction. Can you undertake traffic that intends to remain on the motorway in lane two?

The example I use is the M25 clockwise, A3 turnoff, where the filter lane is over(?) a mile long. I was in the filter lane, and slowed to keep pace with an HGV in lane 2, remaining on his rear 3/4. My take on it was that it's just another lane on the motorway, and as such you'd be considered for the offence of overtaking on the inside lane. The views of the line of traffic that built up behind me cast doubts on my assumption. Roads were clear, no lines of traffic waiting, all flowing nicely.

The rage of the Cavalier driver with family in tow was tangible. I could literally see his spittle hitting the inside of his windscreen. I could see it because he was hanging onto my rear bumper like a bad case of the clap. Anyway, lots of people overtaking the hgv and en masse returning to lane 1 passing traffic on the right at 70.

What do you think? I've just read the HC on leaving a motorway and it doesn't deal with filter lanes.

Time to cover one mile @ 56mph = 64.29 seconds
Time to cover one mile @ 70mph = 51.43 seconds
Time saved by overtaking to get to the traffic lights quicker = 12.86 seconds

 

[wemorgan]

I've driven on that junction and similar others and where the natural speed of lane 2 traffic is slower than lane 1 I do undertake, though with caution. I'm happy to be shown the error of my ways.

 

[moonloops]

I always treat it as a separate lane and drive as fast as I want - stuff the others

 

[T7RY B]

I would assume that because it is a dedicated filter lane that it then becomes "NOT" lane1 of the motorway so you would not be undertaking . The limit of a slip road is still 70MPH unless otherwise signed or stated. I would "undertake" if the traffic was slower than I wanted to go at a safe speed.
Just my opinion though. I could not see a police officer dawdling along behind you, he would probably want you to move out of the way or speed up because the filter lane is no longer lane 1 so you would'nt be "undertaking"
Nice to get an "official" line on it though

 

[trapperjohn]

As soon as I am on any "slip road" I consider myself to have left the motorway. I drive on the "slip road" according to the conditions and traffic on that slip road alone. I will also undertake traffic which is waiting to turn right at the top of the slip road, if I am turning left, otherwise I'd be hanging round for ages. Same as when joining the motorway, on the slip road I gain speed to join without hinderance to traffic on the motorway. At J29 M6, going north, the slip road is down hill, the motorway is up hill and has been since about J27. Therefore wagons on the Mway in lane 1 are often undertaken by traffic on the slip road as it paralells the Mway. The wagons are in lane 1 of the M"way doing less than the natural speed of cars or other wagons joining the Mway on the down hill slip road. Interesting question tho.

 

[bpsorrel]

Whenever I've used the A3 Junction off the M25, I always treat it as a separate filter lane, not governed by the flow of traffic on the main carriageways. Never had a problem yet..

 

[Sorry Pete]

I'll just add that I currently pass with caution on these slip/filter lanes. The instance I described was when I had the s class, so I guess 8 years ago. I didn't (don't) really know for certain what the legal position is, even though I doubt any police force would prosecute if it is an offence. I'm now of the opinion it's safer to keep closing speeds lower/go with the flow.

 

[BTB 500]

As above, once in a marked & signposted 'exit' lane I would certainly pass slower traffic in lane 2.

An annoying but common scenario is a vehicle doing 50 in the 'exit' lane right up to the junction, whereupon they swerve out into lane 2 because they were never planning to leave the motorway

 

[christopherwk]

I agree, further example up the M25 (clockwise), between Junctions 14 and 15, the motorway is 6 lanes. Lane 1 go off to the M4 West, lanes 2 and 3 lead on to the M4 East and lanes 4, 5 and 6 continue on. It's around one and a half miles between those two junctions, and if you were in lane 1 intending to go on to the M4 West, and there's a lorry in lane 4 intending to stay on the M25, then I certainly would continue at my desired speed.

However if it is safe to do and there's enough room, I'd rather go round the lorry on the offside (although it also depends on whether I joined the M25 at junction 14 - so it's best I stay in lane 1, or whether I was already on the M25 before J14), however that means going across 3 lanes to get back on to lane 1!

 

[Charles Morgan]

Sorry Pete - I can't say I can add anything on the lawfulness of this, but sometimes doing what is comfortable to you is as important as doing what you are allowed to. I have seem way too many lorries and other vehicles wake up as if from a trance when coming up to a junction, and suddenly swerve off into the filter lane. By remaining where you are visible, I think your driving was correctly defensive, and the irritation of others is of much less import. I would probably have booted the car past the lorry in the filter lane to get myself clear as quickly as possible.

 

[pos.k]

Is the right answer not to wait for the gap between the 2 lorries, swerve between them, straight out into lane whatever it is - there's probably nothing coming - boot it, go past the lorries - realise you are running out of road before the slip, cut across the chevrons and into the slip road. importantly, you are now directly IN FRONT of the guy in the S Class who was slowing things down, and you can give him the finger whilst waiting at the lights at the junction.

Simples



I'll get my coat!

 

[Sorry Pete]

Thanks for the input everyone. It's really only a lesser point of motoring on which I'd like to have clarification. Enjoy the weekend lads

 

[pos.k]

Yeah, you too mate weathers brill up here - now, wheres the switch for that SLK roof

 

[renault12ts]

Well, imagine the traffic in lane 2 is virtually at a standstill, you could not slow down to keep pace with it with an empty lane ahead of you. So, yes because its a filter lane and the natural speed o the other lane is slower, then you may proceed to "undertake".

Be careful though, not because of any legal position, but just in case somebody decides to enter the lane ahead of you.

 

[LTD]

I think the correct answer will depend on the lane markings.

If the inner lane has dashed lines, no matter how close together they are then the lane will be classed as the left-most (inner) lane. In that case, I would imagine that you would therefore be undertaking and subject to punishment. Unless the traffic is congested and due care is given.

If the line is solid then that line should not be crossed and the lane would be classed as a separate lane and passing slower vehicles which are on your right should be OK.

 

[pos.k]

but just in case somebody decides to enter the lane ahead of you.

BMW Alert

 

[pos.k]

i think the correct answer will depend on the lane markings.

If the inner lane has dashed lines, no matter how close together they are then the lane will be classed as the left-most (inner) lane. In that case, i would imagine that you would therefore be undertaking and subject to punishment. Unless the traffic is congested and due care is given.

If the line is solid then that line should not be crossed and the lane would be classed as a separate lane and passing slower vehicles which are on your right should be ok.

+1

 

[renault12ts]

Highway code:

268
Do 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.

 

[BTB 500]

The Highway Code states

At some junctions a lane may lead directly off the motorway. Only get in that lane if you wish to go in the direction indicated on the overhead signs.

Since such a lane is only for traffic leaving the motorway I would not consider that carefully passing slower vehicles in lane 2 (that are staying on the motorway) would be an issue.

Obviously if there isn't a dedicated exit lane then normal rules would apply.

 

[355marcus]

Surely the point is that in this case you aren't undertaking, you are passing traffic because the traffic in your lane is moving faster than the traffic in that lane.
The only thing to be aware of when doing this is that people often pay even less attention when changing lane to the left than they do when going to the right, so in the event of an incident you'd need to make sure whatever you were doing was at a sensible speed otherwise you'll suffer the dangerous driving or without due care an attention problems.
On a motorway with three lanes, because at least 70% of drivers are idiots, how often do you catch up a long queue of cars travelling in the outside lane that are doing 60 when you're doing 70 in the middle? The middle lane can be virtually empty! Do you slow and follow the last car in the outside lane on his rear 3/4, or maintain your speed and pass?
I know what i do, keeping a watch on the outside cars, who I remind you have to check its safe to change lanes BEFORE changing lanes!
In your case you arent undertaking!