Uk speed and passing laws:

UK Speed Laws:

     (Sent by Anonymous)

     I always think the UK laws are draconian, but there nothing like as
     bas as the US. Nice to see that your government is tinking about
     repealing your 55/65mph law.

     We periodically get people trying to increase our max. from 70 to
     80/85mph. Usually, it's a copper just saying what the all generally
     think anyway. Hopefully, if things change in the US, we might see some
     movement here as well.

     If you don't know already, our speed limits are as follows:

     Urban streets are typically 30mph, although local authorities can
     receive permission to reduce limits to 20mph in residential areas.

     Urban 'highways' or dual-carriageways are usually 40/50mph (i.e. 
     multi-lane, but with traffic lights, houses, side-roads etc.)

     Trunk roads are usually 50, 60 or 70mph. In these instance, 60/70
     refers to single/dual carriageway 'derestricted' zones, denoted by a
     white sign with a black diagonal stripe.

     Motorways are almost always 70mph, except if there are sharp bends,
     bridges/tunnels etc.

     Rural back roads vary, but are usually derestricted unless passing
     through villages etc. This means that, officially, the limit is 60mph,
     but because they're so narrow, usually poorly surfaced and often with
     hedges, ditches and trees (and unlit at night), your unlikely to come
     close except on short straights or across flat moorland. They're the
     best fun, though.


Uk Passing Laws:

     (sent by Bill Melotti <bill.melotti@rl.ac.uk>)

     In the United Kingdom we already have a system where you are only
     allowed to pass other cars on the outside (the right in our case). As
     far as I know this pretty much applies to all multilane roads (urban,
     motorway etc) except when the other lanes are blocked.

     I don't think it is necessary for the other lanes to be completely
     stationary before you can pass on the inside, but it must be slow
     moving or under stop/start conditions eg traffic jam.

     Whilst this is a safer situation (IMHO) than being able to pass either
     side and would probably be efficient if used properly, the problem is
     many people don't use the system properly. Having a
     pass-on-one-side-only rule means that you also have to have a rule
     that says you should usually drive in the inside lane (far left in our
     case) unless you are overtaking. You only move into another lane to
     pass a slower vehicle.

     Trouble is people think of the three lanes as different speed lanes eg
     slow lane, middle lane, fast lane. Consequently you may find yourself
     travelling down a motorway (3 lanes) and come across a 'middle-lane
     hogger'. This person will just sit in the middle lane (with the inside
     lane empty or near-empty) because the implied speed of that lane suits
     them and they just can't be bothered to pull in. Those of us that are
     driving correctly and were driving in the left lane (default lane if
     you like) have to swerve across two lanes to overtake and come back
     in. Passing on the inside risks not only an accident, but a fixed
     penalty fine and licence endorsement.

     Because other people can't be bothered to go right out and back again
     to pass, they also sit in the middle lane just moving out to the
     outside lane to pass people in the middle lane, so it gets worse.

     You can also find situations in the outside lane where a long queue of
     traffic is passing few cars in the middle lane, because the middle
     lane hoggers are overtaking a constant stream of traffic in the inside
     lane, but although the inside lane traffic is spaced far enough apart
     for the hogger to pull in and let others pass, they just don't, they
     can't be bothered.

     It is worse still for HGVs (trucks, lorries etc) who are not allowed
     to use the outside (far right) lane. They have to pull out to the
     middle line and flash their lights to tell the person to move in. This
     often aggravates people, who then refuse to pull in, or see it as an
     invitation for a fight. Alternatively they are such crap drivers they
     are not looking in there rear view mirrors anyway.

     The idea of passing on all sides has been mooted here a couple of
     times and many people I know think it could provide a more efficient
     system, but I suspect on safety grounds it probably won't happen.