You are driving in the right-hand lane (Lane 3) of a three-lane motorway, having just overtaken a long line of slower-moving traffic. The lanes to your left are now clear. According to proper motorway lane discipline, arrange the following actions in the exact chronological sequence required to safely return to the normal driving lane (Lane 1).
- 1Check your interior and left exterior mirrors to verify you are safely past the overtaken vehicles.
- 2Signal left and steer smoothly into the middle lane (Lane 2).
- 3Cancel your indicator and establish your vehicle's position in the middle lane.
- 4Conduct a fresh mirror check to assess the space and traffic flow in the left-hand lane (Lane 1).
- 5Apply a new left signal and move smoothly into the normal driving lane.
Answer
The correct sequence is to treat each lane change as a distinct manoeuvre: first check mirrors and move to the middle lane, cancel the signal and re-establish your position, then perform a new mirror check and signal before finally moving to the left-hand lane.
Proper lane discipline on a motorway dictates that you must not weave or cross multiple lanes in a single, sweeping movement. Each lane change must be treated as a distinct and separate manoeuvre involving its own MSM (Mirrors, Signal, Manoeuvre) routine. By cancelling the signal and pausing in the middle lane, you give yourself the opportunity to safely reassess the left-hand lane, which might contain joining traffic or a vehicle you had not previously noticed.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Returning to the left-hand lane across multiple lanes sequentially
Estimated Time:1m 30s