ADUK Archive

Been driving for 40+ years - always of the view that if the chevrons had a broken edge you could enter - any comments on this appreciated

This situation presented itself tonight - basically the left lane as blocked with traffic waiting to go through the lights whereas I wanted to turn right which had no queue, so I moved into the hatched area to get to the right turn lane and was bipped at by a car waiting to enter the filter right lane as shown in the second image.
My attention was more on checking for any vehicles emerging across the lane from the car park and the filter wasn't obvious/visible from here I entered the hatching

Where I started the move into the hatched area (bear in mind the left lane was solid with traffic)
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.1464131,0.8750828,3a,75y,220.64h,63.28t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7bwQrTfiUqQZ3uNRJiqncA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Closer to the lights there is this - but only knowable with local knowledge

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.1459336,0.8747608,3a,75y,201.02h,54.07t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s-hegnWhtwhFuUmLnAy97kA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Broadly, if there's space I'll do the same, and sometimes will temporarily use some of the opposing lane if there's nothing coming, but I'll pass the queueing traffic relatively slowly in case any other vehicles move out.

Whatever the legal position and local circumstances, just because you *can* doesn't mean you *should*. Often, these areas become a reservoir for road detritus and debris, some of it the tyre-attacking kind.

You did right! The guy who illegally 'beeped' you may well be the MLM on the motorway, the one who flashes you from behind after your well-executed overtake, the one who blocks the clear lane 300 yards from a merge-in-turn and drives at 40 mph anywhere that isn't a motorway!

Rest easy! ☺

HC Rule 130 refers - but how do you define "necessary"?

superplum wrote:how do you define "necessary"?

FFS - if you want to pass the queuing vehicles it is necessary to use that part of the road.

adjective
1. Needed to be done, achieved, or present; essential.
"they granted the necessary planning permission"

Want isn't need.

Yep Gimball I would do the same but probably from where the filter lane is visible in the distance and do it relatively slowly paying particular attention where the filter lane starts - looking for those that will be joining me at the 'pinch point'.

Certainly legal if done with care.

Horse wrote:adjective
1. Needed to be done, achieved, or present; essential.
"they granted the necessary planning permission"

Want isn't need.

If you need to pass the queue because if you don't you will miss the train that you have already lost time for because of the queue further back, which will then make you late for your appointment with your doctor, dentist, lawyer, -(put in your own word) and they will cancel because the next train isn't for an hour and you can't drive the whole way because you are getting tired and we all know it is dangerous to drive when tired and going back to the doctor, dentist, lawyer, -(put in your own word) it will be ages before you get another appointment and your life will be ruined..... I think I agree with Gareth.....
Regards
Brian Haddon

Horse wrote: Want isn't need.

Pre-cise-ly.

and as for "FFS"

Horse wrote:Want isn't need.

Think it through ... you may just as well stay at home.

See earlier thread - in particular the first comment by 7db.

Another earlier thread.

Another earlier thread.

I would probably have done the same thing. It isn't "necessary" by the strict definition of the word, but it will shorten the straight-on queue and improve the flow of traffic providing it can be done safely.

I don't really have a problem with it, but clearly some motorists do.

Horse wrote:adjective
1. Needed to be done, achieved, or present; essential.
"they granted the necessary planning permission"

Want isn't need.

Using your own example:
"They granted the necessary planning permission" for the extension that the owner wanted.

Whether or not it is necessary to use the hatched area is a matter of fact taking into account all the circumstances to decide whether or not the driving was careless, inconsiderate or negligent. If the manoeuvre itself is considered to be careless, inconsiderate or negligent then it may not be sufficient that it is executed with care and consideration.

Courts refer to the HC not the regulations when deciding these cases. An analysis of the latter is likely to be unhelpful.

If "necessary" is to be taken to mean the absolute interpretation, why then have hatching bounded by a broken line? What purpose does it serve? Where is the benefit?

Why not have hatching bounded by a solid line? Why not have unbroken double white lines? Drivers are permitted to cross these when faced with an unmovable obstruction, such as a broken vehicle.