Who has right of way on a motorway?

dillo2k10 · 09-05-2012 1:43pm #1

Hi,

I came across a situation where I indicated to move into the right lane (middle lane) while a person who was in the overtaking lane moved right at the same time as me without indicating, we both got half way into the lane when I pulled back into the lane I was in. He just continued into the lane.

So I wanted to know does anyone know who has right of way in this situation? Or does anyone have right of way and if there was an accident there would be shared liability?

sealgaire · 09-05-2012 1:50pm

you neeed to explain that better. . . .
From what i read , you both moved right. . . ..
That doens' make sense.

cruizer101 · 09-05-2012 2:09pm

The person in outer lane didn't move right they moved 'right at the same time' as the OP.

Its a funny one I'm not too sure who would have right of way when happens at the same time, just one of those things you have to watch out for.

ProudDUB · 09-05-2012 2:11pm

Perhaps the OP means that they were in the left lane, the other car was in the overtaking lane on the far right, and they both went to move into the middle lane at the same time? The OP indicated, and the other car didn't. Who is at fault in the event of a crash?

If that is the case, I would say that the other car has the right of way. He was in the over taking lane. He can not keep on driving in it. He has an obligation to move over into the lane to his left once he has overtaken the car he was passing. So I would say that he has the right of way. But if he doesn't indicate that he is doing so, that kinda muddies the waters in the event of a crash.

If I saw a car driving in the over taking lane, I would not cross over into the lane beside him, as I would presume that he was about to obey the rules of the road and change into that lane, whether he indicated or not.

dillo2k10 · 09-05-2012 2:15pm

Sorry, yes I meant that he moved left into the middle lane.

ssshhh123 · 09-05-2012 2:15pm

Well if your only learning you should not be on the motor way. And you should also stay in left lane at all times unless overtaking.

09-05-2012 2:18pm

ssshhh123 wrote: »

Well if your only learning you should not be on the motor way. And you should also stay in left lane at all times unless overtaking.

driving is always a learning experience whether you have your licence or not, i don't think that's in any way helpful

OP I don't really know but what prouddub said made sense:

If that is the case, I would say that the other car has the right of way. He was in the over taking lane. He can not keep on driving in it. He has an obligation to move over into the lane to his left once he has overtaken the car he was passing.

Wishbone Ash · 09-05-2012 2:43pm

The driver on the outer overtaking lane has right of way as you must yield to vehicles on your right. While they may not have used an indicator it doesn't diminish their right of way (in the same way that use of an indicator doesn't give right of way).

ssshhh123 wrote: »

Well if your only learning you should not be on the motor way

So you stopped learning when you passed a test? If so, you're not in a great position to be giving advice.

ADIDriving · 09-05-2012 7:40pm

Vehicle coming back to complete overtaking has priority over vehicle starting to overtake.
Driver that signals is better then driver that does not.
Driver that sees what is going on and avoids crash does not need to worry about insurance issues of nonexistant crash.
Insurance companies would probably share liability and take no claims discount.
PS. Good awareness and avoidance OP.

Who has right of way on a motorway?

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