Undertaking

cormie

Hi,
Could somebody point me to the definite rules on undertaking. Was discussing it and I was sure that it was illegal to undertake in the left hand lane on a motorway/dual carriage way if the overtaking lane is moving slower (which it shouldn't be as they should all be in the left hand lane, but these things happen, especially in Ireland!). I know if the cars are turning right it's ok, but it also says if the overtaking lane is moving slower, but doesn't say in the case of the above.

Anan1

cormie wrote:

Hi,
Could somebody point me to the definite rules on undertaking. Was discussing it and I was sure that it was illegal to undertake in the left hand lane on a motorway/dual carriage way if the overtaking lane is moving slower (which it shouldn't be as they should all be in the left hand lane, but these things happen, especially in Ireland!). I know if the cars are turning right it's ok, but it also says if the overtaking lane is moving slower, but doesn't say in the case of the above.

It's also allowable in slow-moving traffic. By the way, if you are going to undertake at speed on a motorway, always use the horn early to ensure that the car being undertaken is aware of where you are and what you're doing - it's not unknown for the kind of person who sits in the overtaking lane to suddenly, and without warning, attempt to pull back into the left lane.

Bard

According to the rules of the road, it's legal to overtake on the left if:

• You are in multi-lane traffic and the traffic on the right is moving more slowly than that on the left.
• You intend to turn left via an upcoming slip-road and are indicating left.
• The car in front of you has indicated the intention to turn right.

It would certainly be courteous, as Anan1 said above, to alert the car on the right that you are passing them, just in case they decide to pull back over to the left.

Duiske

OVERTAKING
Overtake on the right only, unless traffic is moving in queues and the traffic queue on your right is moving more slowly than you are. Before you start to overtake, check that the way is clear, (behind and ahead) and signal well in advance.
Remember that traffic may be travelling significantly faster than on ordinary roads.
Be particularly careful at dusk, during darkness, and in foggy or misty conditions when it is more difficult to judge speed and distance. Return to your original lane as soon as possible.

Taken from this website.

Leaves it open to people to define for themselves what "a queue" actually means. More than 2 cars ?

Alun

Here is what the law actually says (taken from the Irish Statute Book, not the ROTR which is only an interpretation ofthe law, not binding ... (My boldface)

(5) A driver may only overtake on the left—
( a ) where the driver of the vehicle about to be overtaken has signalled an intention to turn to the right and the driver of the overtaking vehicle intends, after overtaking, to go straight ahead or to turn to the left,
( b ) where the driver of the overtaking vehicle intends, after overtaking, to turn left at the next road junction and has signalled this intention,
( c ) in slow moving traffic, when vehicles in the traffic lane on the driver's right are moving more slowly than the overtaking vehicle.

Now, clearly, it all hangs on the intended interpretation of the phrase "slow moving traffic", but I'd imagine that it's patently obvious to most people that the intention was to cover those "Monday morning on the M50" type scenarios, and not two lone cars on a motorway at 3 in the morning, however slowly the car in the overtaking lane is travelling.

Now, maybe the actual letter of the law needs tightening up to make it absolutely clear what they meant to say, but I'm not sure that it would be entirely possible to formulate the regulation in such a way. Common sense should prevail over the letter of the law in this case.

cormie

Then again slow moving traffic could easily be interpreted as anything under the speed limit since were taught to not break and not go too far under the limit in order to pass our driving tests, in order to allow us on to Motorways.

Alun, is there a link to that Statute book online at all?

Alun

cormie wrote:

Alun, is there a link to that Statute book online at all?

Yep ... www.irishstatutebook.ie It takes a bit of searching for the relevant sections though.

EDIT: The Road Traffic Act 1997 can be found at www.irishstatutebook.ie/ZZSI182Y1997.html

cormie

Thanks! That page should be posted to everyone with their tax renewal notice!

Sean Kinvarra

cormie wrote: »

Hi,
Could somebody point me to the definite rules on undertaking. Was discussing it and I was sure that it was illegal to undertake in the left hand lane on a motorway/dual carriage way if the overtaking lane is moving slower (which it shouldn't be as they should all be in the left hand lane, but these things happen, especially in Ireland!). I know if the cars are turning right it's ok, but it also says if the overtaking lane is moving slower, but doesn't say in the case of the above.

According to the RSA you can only undertake on motorways in " slow moving traffic". I asked them what is slow moving. Is it the same on motorways as along the quays at peak time. They told me it means stop start driving.

Everybody that is against undertaking say its because of hoggers blind spot yet they are not against a left hand drive vehicle overtaking, there is no difference. If the RSA are so concerned about its dangers then shouldn't they ban left hand drivers from using motorways in Ireland....

bazz26

Your reply is about 6 years too late....

GTE

And despite the lateness, the OP did ask for links to confirm it.

Less opinion before the train wrecks

tin79

Sean Kinvarra wrote: »

According to the RSA you can only undertake on motorways in " slow moving traffic". I asked them what is slow moving. Is it the same on motorways as along the quays at peak time. They told me it means stop start driving.

Everybody that is against undertaking say its because of hoggers blind spot yet they are not against a left hand drive vehicle overtaking, there is no difference. If the RSA are so concerned about its dangers then shouldn't they ban left hand drivers from using motorways in Ireland....

The thread is 7 years old. I hope nobody was holding their breath for an answer!

TestTransmission

Sean Kinvarra wrote: »

According to the RSA you can only undertake on motorways in " slow moving traffic". I asked them what is slow moving. Is it the same on motorways as along the quays at peak time. They told me it means stop start driving.

Everybody that is against undertaking say its because of hoggers blind spot yet they are not against a left hand drive vehicle overtaking, there is no difference. If the RSA are so concerned about its dangers then shouldn't they ban left hand drivers from using motorways in Ireland....

Please dont drag up old threads