Safe Speed Forums

On the M6 at junction 3A northbound are the following lane markings ,
Traffic for the M42S is directed to the left hand two lanes.
Traffic for the M6 is directed to the middle two lanes.
Traffic for the M6Toll ( and M42N) is directed to the right hand two lanes.

-----|------|M6T|M6T
-----|M6--|M6 -|---
M42|M42|-----|-----

http://www.multimap.com/s/QROa2IHy

Slow traffic for the M6 is normally travelling in lane 2 , leaving lane 1 clear.

Under normal circumstances in free-flowing traffic, I would never pass on the left, but here the lanes are marked for different destinations.
An ambiguity arises as it is not clear which direction any traffic in the middle two lanes is headed.

My approach is to cautiously pass the slower traffic in L2 when travelling in L1 to leave at the M42.
I expect that HGVs in Lane 2 have made a conscious decision to move over for the junction ahead if L1 is empty.
I'm never too sure about cars though, much more likely to just be in the wrong lane.

Is it legal to travel faster in lane 1 and pass slow moving traffic in lane 2 ?
Is it safe to travel faster in lane 1 and pass slow moving traffic in lane 2 ?

Highway Code

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069862

rule 268

Do not overtake on the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake. In congested conditions, where adjacent lanes of traffic are moving at similar speeds, traffic in left-hand lanes may sometimes be moving faster than traffic to the right. In these conditions you may keep up with the traffic in your lane even if this means passing traffic in the lane to your right. Do not weave in and out of lanes to overtake.

My interpretation is it is not illegal per se. But, you knew it was coming, the manner and circumstances of the over/undertake could be viewed poorly if seen by police.


This is a judgement call.

I see this often on the M40 J15/M42 J3 Northbound.
HGV's position in lane 2 rather early, and slow down traffic in lanes 1 & 2 for the M42. It's very annoying.
This is just next to a 'authorised vehicles only' ramp at the side of the carriageway.

It doesn't help that this section has recently had the variable speed limit extended to it from the M42.
Typically the Variable signs are '50' for 2 gantries, then NSL on the M40 northbound (and often M42) afterwards.

If I go into lane 1 to turn off onto the M42, alongside a HGV, then I don't speed up until the dotted lines separating the lanes get closer together as my view, is that is where the '42. starts and is therefore not a lane of the M40 after that. Not sure if I'm correct on that, though. May need to consult "Know Your Traffic Signs"

I'm not sure I agree that rule 268 applies in this case because I don't consider that I am "Overtaking"

I would never consider passing on the left on a plain section of motorway except in the circumstances described in rule 268.

In this case , I am heading for a different destination and travelling in an appropriate lane for that destination.

If for example there is a slow moving vehicle ( e.g. heavy crane ) travellling at 40mph in lane 3 and clearly heading for the M6 toll then should all traffic in lanes 1 and 2 wait behind it until the mororways diverge ?

If the lanes were assigned for a single destination, would the situation be any different ?

-----|------|M6T|M6T
M42|M42|-----|-----

This sort of thing happens on the newly-widened section of the M27 at Southampton.

Taking the M27 towards Portsmouth necessitates being in L3/4, while the London-bound M3 is reached from L1/2. Some numpties get in to L3 for the M27 as soon as it goes 4 lane, even though they've got about two miles to do so and it hasn't even been signed yet.

I undertake with gusto; the L3Ms presumably think I'm going onto the M3 anyway, whether I am or not.