scott wrote:
>>> should only move out to the left to overtake someone,
>>
>> Are you sure? About the 'only', I mean.
> 
> In the UK at least, yes.  See rule 264 here:
> 
> http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069862
> 
> Also rule 268 allows you to "undertake" if the conditions are busy and 
> your lane is simply going faster than the other lanes (ie you are not 
> expected to brake to avoid undertaking someone if the other lane slows 
> down).
> 
> But crucially there is no "MUST NOT" related to any of this, so it seems 
> there is no specific law that applies in this situation.  I assume it 
> would just be down to a police officier whether he judged what you were 
> doing as dangerous or not.  You would probably need a pretty good 
> explanation as to why to undertook given that the highway code tells you 
> not to.  I don't know whether they would accept "someone was hogging the 
> overtaking lane" as a valid reason.
> 
> 
Thanks for clarifying that.  Or at least as much clarification as the 
Traffic code offers ;)  And I now see it is precisely this ambiguity 
that is the point of your original question.

Both as a taxi driver and instructor of taxi drivers, and as a generic 
driver and Point Reduction (defensive driving) instructor, I find myself 
amok in this sort of question constantly.

One thing I am situated to observe is the subjective way in which people 
understand laws, and driving laws, which govern such a common and 
emotionally laden activity, offer notable examples.  And one of the 
topics that comes up most often, is the one you have pointed to here: 
people driving slowly (meaning the speed limit) in the center most or 
'passing' lane.  I have had, in class, otherwise mature and sane seeming 
people argue that if I am driving the limit in the passing lane I am 
interfering with their unalienable right to break the law and challenge 
the police to catch them.  Some would have it that the law prohibits 
them passing to the right and so justifies their aggressive behavior 
toward anyone doing the limit in the passing lane.  But the law does not 
prohibit it, nor does it secure the lane as a passing or high speed lane.


-Jim

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