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Question

Difficulty: HardLane Discipline

You are driving in the left-hand lane of a three-lane motorway. Ahead, you notice a recovery vehicle with flashing amber lights attending to a broken-down car on the hard shoulder. The middle lane to your right is clear and safe to enter. What action should you take regarding your lane position?

  1. A
    Remain in the left-hand lane at your current speed, as changing lanes is strictly reserved for overtaking moving vehicles.
  2. Move into the adjacent middle lane if it is safe to do so, creating a wider safety buffer for the roadside workers.Answer
  3. C
    Move immediately into the middle lane without checking mirrors or blind spots, as avoiding roadside workers takes priority over standard observations.
  4. D
    Move into the middle lane and remain there for the rest of your motorway journey to avoid any further stationary roadside vehicles.

Answer

Move into the adjacent middle lane if it is safe to do so, creating a wider safety buffer for the roadside workers.
Under Highway Code Rule 264, drivers travelling in the left-hand lane (Lane 1) who see emergency service, recovery, or broken-down vehicles on the hard shoulder should move into the adjacent lane if it is safe to do so. This creates a safety zone that protects workers and stranded occupants from high-speed traffic.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the roadside hazard on the hard shoulder ahead.
A recovery vehicle and broken-down car with active warning lights are present close to the carriageway edge.
Roadside workers and stranded motorists are highly vulnerable to high-speed slipstreams and collisions.
2
Assess the adjacent lane (Lane 2) using mirrors and blind spot checks.
The middle lane is confirmed clear and available for a safe manoeuvre.
Lane changes must only be executed when safe without impeding vehicles already travelling in that lane.
3
Signal and move smoothly into the middle lane before passing the stationary vehicles.
A full lane buffer is created between your vehicle and the workers on the hard shoulder.
Highway Code Rule 264 specifically advises moving over to create more space and reduce risk to roadside operators.
4
Return safely to the left-hand lane once past the incident and the road ahead is clear.
Proper motorway lane discipline is restored.
Standard lane discipline requires returning to the left-hand lane when not actively passing a hazard or overtaking.

Key Concept

Highway Code Rule 264 requires drivers in the left-hand lane to move into an adjacent lane if safe when approaching emergency, recovery, or broken-down vehicles on the hard shoulder.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Lane Discipline

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