I'd be interested in how the other backroomers interpret this: If a road is wide enough to have more than one lane in each direction, but only has centre markings, is it one lane or two? The reason I ask is that there are a few places around here where a certain 'class' of driver make two lanes, usually resulting in people like me who assume one unless marked getting blocked in.
My interpretation would be that it is one lane unless traffic is queuing. Is this correct?
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Why does it matter?
Are you suggesting that a road that is wide enough for two cars side by side (each way) - should only have 1 because of lack of white paint?
Are you asking for Technical or Legal view, or just for confirmation that your view (and thus actions) are widespread?
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In the case I'm mainly thinking of, the road is only just wide enough for 2 cars each way if everyone tucks right up and even then it's not really wide enough to be sure at speed when people might waver a bit or have to move out slightly for obstructions etc.
The main problem I have is that I drive down the middle(ish) to show that I'm going to join the right lane if it is clear of turning traffic, but will stay in the left otherwise. What usually happens is people pick the right lane and force their way in to the left if necessary. IMO they are essentially overtaking when there isn't really room to. And as I'm about the only person around here that actually sticks to the speed limits, I get overtaken and generally bullied in to the lane I don't want to be in.
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Trevorp,
Why do you have to be so objectionable ?
I was even waiting for the answer because I was interested, and you have to come out with your pedantic and rude reply.
Do stop, because I am fast having enough of it and soon the good stuff you post will be outweighed.
Mark.
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I'd be interested in how the other backroomers interpret this: If a road is wide enough to have more than one lane in each direction, but only has centre markings, is it one lane or two? The reason I ask is that there are a few places around here where a certain 'class' of driver make two lanes, usually resulting in people like me who assume one unless marked getting blocked in. My interpretation would be that it is one lane unless traffic is queuing. Is this correct?
I find that it is best to politely but firmly establish your position on the road and not allow yourself to be bullied by other drivers. If this means driving down the centre of the indicated width of road, then this is what I would do. Most drivers will not try to take advantage of you if you make it clear to them that you are aware that you have as much right to be on the road as they do, and that you intend to exercise that right.
Drive firmly and show confidence. When push comes to shove, most bullies are really wimps.
~
L'escargot by name, but not by nature.
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Just realised I wasn't too clear in my post about the road layout.
It leaves a roundabout as a very wide exit - probably 3 cars wide, but *very* quickly narrows to 2-if-you-push-it and a set of lights. (To make things even more interesting, there is a zebra crossing *just* off the roundabout) After the first set of lights you get maybe 200 yards of this wider than normal single lane, before it splits in to two marked lanes (and widens) for some more traffic lights. I want to be in the right hand lane *after* these lights, but as these are for a right turn, it's usually better to wait and see what traffic is doing before you choose a lane.
As for politely establishing your position - you've obviously not drive around Stockport much! There are a number of drivers who simply don't care and will willingly have an accident rather than cede position. Once they've decided they are going round, nothing will stop them and they will make spaces where the simply don't exist. If I had an old banger I might contest things a bit more, but I'd rather not have my new car scraped, especially by someone who'd likely drive off without stopping... :s
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Whre exactly Steve, I know Stockport pretty well?
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The Armoury roundabout up towards Shaw Heath. That roundabout gets more than it's fair share of drivers who just push in rather than following the highway code... :s
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I would be interested to find the answer to this one.
I regularly use the Oswestry by-pass (A5) where 2 cars can fit by each other (but prob not at the same time as 2 cars coming the other way). Usually what happens is that the road is used as if there were 3 lanes and those that are already overtaking have "priority". (Quite why they did not build a dual carriageway is beyond me).
France used to have (and may still do) have roads painted for 3 lanes. They were very dangerous esp as the French drive a little too quickly for their own good on these stretches.
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Being a bike rider you tend to find that unless you 'dominate' the lane you'll be 'bullied' by others that are two selfesh to care about others welfare. That said if a nutcase comes along I'd either overtake the car in front or drop well back as a means of self protection.
Steve.
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This effect arises on old trunk roads previously painted up with three lanes all normal width and now painted as two lanes. I find some of these are now quite wide enough for two reasonably wide cars to travel side by side without going over the centre line but for this to happen the overtakee needs to get right into the nearside gutter. What to do ?? take the chance and find he/she swerves out for a pothole or similiar or just treat as normal road and go across the centre line into the opposing carriageway.
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I'm not sure I know what question you're seeking answer to but I know this road and it's frustrating that many drivers deliberately position themselves towards the centre markings as if to say "you shouldn't overtake when there's a car coming" even though as you say you can drive two abreast on both carriageways and by moving a couple of feet towards the verge they would leave a huge space down the centre,you almost don't need to cross the centre markings to overtake, but they seem happy to move out to where they are deliberately creating a risk of clipped mirrors.
A friend used to commute this daily and said that at rush hours an informal tidal flow system was created.
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Sorry the formatting went odd there - that post was in reply to CM and for info it's a newish stretch, certainly less than 10 years
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