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Difficulty: HardOvertaking Rules

You are driving at 65 mph in lane 2 of a three-lane motorway, overtaking a continuous convoy of large goods vehicles travelling at 50 mph in lane 1. A vehicle approaches rapidly from behind in lane 2 and flashes its headlights repeatedly to demand passage, while lane 3 remains clear. What should you do to manage this situation safely and legally?

  1. A
    Immediately pull into the narrow space between two large goods vehicles in lane 1 to allow the flashing vehicle to pass.
  2. Continue your overtaking manoeuvre at a steady, legal speed, returning to lane 1 only when there is a safe gap ahead of the convoy.Answer
  3. C
    Move swiftly across into lane 3 without checking your mirrors or blind spot to vacate lane 2 as fast as possible.
  4. D
    Move into lane 1 between the lorries and undertake the remaining vehicles on their left side to maintain your momentum.

Answer

Continue your overtaking manoeuvre at a steady, legal speed, returning to lane 1 only when there is a safe gap ahead of the convoy.
Under Highway Code Rules 264 and 267, drivers overtaking a series of slower-moving vehicles in the left lane should remain in the middle lane until the manoeuvre is complete. You must not be intimidated by tailgating vehicles or flashing headlights into pulling into dangerously tight gaps between heavy lorries. The trailing driver has lane 3 available if they wish to overtake legally.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Assess the ongoing overtaking manoeuvre across lane 1 and lane 2.
Recognise that overtaking a continuous line of slower vehicles in lane 2 is legitimate lane discipline under the Highway Code.
Drivers are permitted to remain in an overtaking lane while actively passing a series of slower vehicles without weaving unnecessarily.
2
Evaluate the hazard presented by the aggressive driver behind flashing headlights.
Identify that headlight flashes do not confer priority or obligate hazardous evasive actions.
Yielding abruptly into tight gaps between heavy goods vehicles violates critical separation distances and puts your vehicle in dangerous blind zones.
3
Execute the safe completion of the manoeuvre.
Maintain a steady, legal speed until the entire convoy is cleared, check mirrors and blind spots, and signal to return safely to lane 1.
Highway Code Rule 267 requires completing overtaking safely without cutting in or compromising safety margins for yourself or other road users.

Key Concept

Motorway overtaking etiquette, lane discipline, and managing tailgating or intimidation from other drivers
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Overtaking Rules

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