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Question

Difficulty: EasyLane Discipline and Positioning

On a steep uphill gradient, an additional lane known as a crawler lane is marked on the nearside. What is the primary purpose of this lane?

  1. A
    To allow faster traffic to undertake queuing vehicles on the inside
  2. To allow slower-moving vehicles to pull over and prevent queues forming behind themAnswer
  3. C
    To serve as a continuous emergency lay-by exclusively for broken-down goods vehicles
  4. D
    To permit vehicles to exceed the normal speed limit to build momentum for the climb

Answer

To allow slower-moving vehicles to pull over and prevent queues forming behind them
Under Highway Code Rule 139, a crawler (or climbing) lane is provided on steep gradients to enable slow-moving vehicles and heavy goods vehicles to move over to the left, allowing faster-moving traffic to continue past smoothly without causing congestion.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the road feature and its location
A crawler lane (climbing lane) provided on the nearside (left) on a steep uphill hill gradient.
Heavy and underpowered vehicles naturally decelerate significantly when travelling uphill.
2
Apply Highway Code lane discipline rules for climbing lanes
Slower vehicles should move into the crawler lane, leaving the main lanes free for traffic travelling at normal cruising speed.
Maintaining overall traffic flow and preventing congestion or frustrated overtaking manoeuvres.

Key Concept

Correct use and purpose of crawler lanes on steep gradients
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Lane Discipline and Positioning

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