Crossing Dual Carriageways

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Wed 3 Jun 2015 13:05
Crossing Dual Carriageways - Bobalar

Can someone tell me if it is lawful for a driver, when crossing a dual carriageway, to cross one carriageway and then, instead of waiting for a suitable space in lane 1 (The "slow lane"), to drive into lane 2 (The "fast lane") and accelerate whilst cars are overtaking in lane 1. This happens repeatedly at a number of junctions on the A90 which I use on my way to work and I find it so unsafe when drivers pull onto lane 2 and stay there while traffic passes on their near side.

Also, what does the law/highway code say about more than one vehicle waiting in the central reserve to turn right?

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Wed 3 Jun 2015 13:41
Crossing Dual Carriageways - Palcouk

There is no motoring offence of 'undertaking' in certain circumstances its 'driving without due care'

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Wed 3 Jun 2015 14:03
Crossing Dual Carriageways - slkfanboy

Poorly designed junctions are an issue for all drivers. Pulling onto a Dual Carriageways into lane 2 with the aim of turning right seams perfectly ok, if suffient distance is given.

Passing on the left is done every day in the USA, just not a british thing to do. Again if the car is getting ready to turn right it's all OK.

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Wed 3 Jun 2015 14:21
Crossing Dual Carriageways - Bobalar

I agree that the junctions are not fit for purpose due to the level of traffic these days, and there have been moves by the transport authorities to install grade seperated junctions, albeit they've been talking about this for the last 10 or more years.

I may have not been clear in my original message, but the vehicles pull into lane 2 as lane 1 of the carriageway is so busy that they can't, or won't, wait for a break in the traffic to pull into lane 1. They then accellerate in lane 2 as a means to join the main traffic flow. Is this lawful? The speed limit at the junction is 70mph.

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Thu 4 Jun 2015 14:12
Crossing Dual Carriageways - slkfanboy

It's the responsibilty of the car joining to give way to traffic already on the dual carriageway. I don't think there is any other obligation.

Is this safe or not is another question!

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Thu 4 Jun 2015 23:38
Crossing Dual Carriageways - scot22

The question of safety is, as you say, another question.

I think it is a matter of using your intelligence to assess the situation. In some cases it will be perfectly safe, in others it won't be.

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Mon 8 Jun 2015 16:42
Crossing Dual Carriageways - concrete

I used to travel this road when I worked in Aberdeen for a while. It is a nightmare of a road with frequent junctions to cross the dual carriageways. All you do is defensive driving. Extreme caution when approaching junctions and looking out for potential problems. Needs some decent road engineering to make it safer. That was a few years ago so it seems the problem persists.

Cheers Concrete

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