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Question

Difficulty: EasyOvertaking Rules

You are travelling in queuing traffic on a multi-lane road. The queue of vehicles in the lane to your right is moving more slowly than your lane. What should you do?

  1. A
    Pull out into the right-hand lane immediately without checking your mirrors or blind spots
  2. B
    Flash your headlights repeatedly to demand that the drivers in the right lane speed up
  3. Pass the slower-moving traffic on the left with cautionAnswer
  4. D
    Move onto the left kerb or verge to bypass any stationary obstacles ahead

Answer

Pass the slower-moving traffic on the left with caution.
Under Highway Code Rule 163, drivers normally overtake on the right. However, an exception applies in slow-moving traffic queues where vehicles in your lane are travelling faster than those in the lane to your right. In this scenario, you are permitted to pass on the left provided you proceed with care and remain alert for vehicles switching lanes.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Assess the traffic flow and lane conditions on the multi-lane road.
Identify that both lanes are in congested, slow-moving queues.
Highway Code rules differ between free-flowing traffic and congested queuing traffic.
2
Apply Highway Code Rule 163 regarding overtaking on the left.
Recognise the specific legal exception permitting vehicles to pass on the left in congested queues.
When queues move at different speeds, drivers are permitted to stay in lane and pass slower queues on the right with caution.

Key Concept

Overtaking on the left in congested queuing traffic (Highway Code Rule 163)
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Overtaking Rules

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