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Question

Difficulty: MediumOvertaking Rules

You are driving in the left-hand lane of a multi-lane dual carriageway in heavy, slow-moving traffic. The queue of vehicles in the right-hand lane slows down further and begins moving more slowly than your lane. Which action should you take?

  1. A
    Steer into the right-hand lane without checking your side blind spots to overtake on the right as normal
  2. Stay in your lane and pass the slower-moving queue on the left with cautionAnswer
  3. C
    Flash your headlights repeatedly to claim priority and warn drivers that you are passing them on the inside
  4. D
    Fixate on the bumper of the car immediately ahead and accelerate sharply to get past the queue quickly

Answer

Stay in your lane and pass the slower-moving queue on the left with caution
Under Highway Code Rule 163, although you should normally overtake on the right, you may pass on the left when traffic is moving in slow queues and the queue in the lane to your right is moving more slowly than your lane. You should remain in your lane and proceed with caution.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Assess the traffic flow and road conditions
Identify that traffic is travelling in congested, slow-moving queues across multiple lanes.
General rules usually prohibit passing on the left (undertaking), but specific legal exceptions exist for queuing traffic.
2
Apply Highway Code Rule 163 regarding passing on the left
Determine that vehicles in the left lane may legally keep their position and pass slower-moving queues on the right.
In slow-moving queues where the right lane moves slower than the left lane, drivers are permitted to pass on the left with caution rather than making disruptive lane changes.

Key Concept

Highway Code Rule 163 allows drivers in slow-moving, congested traffic queues to pass on the left when the queue to their right is moving more slowly.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Overtaking Rules

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