Hypothetical motorway scenario

[SurreyGuy]

A car is in the "outside" lane and another car is in the "inside" lane.

If both cars move into the "middle" lane at the same time and they collide, who is at fault?

[buttchester]

Sounds like a 50/50 to me. I think that could be the only fair way. If they were both indicating then it was down to each of them to check that it was safe before they changed lanes.

[neo680]

Perhaps not 50/50. If car in lane 1, (sorry, "inside lane"!) is pulling out into lane 2 ("middle lane") for a reason, i.e. to overtake slower moving vehicle, then car in lane 3 ("outside lane") should have anticipated that & remained in lane 3. So lane 3 cars fault. However, if lane 1 car pulls out into lane 2 just for the sheer hell of it (not overtaking) then they are at fault.

[Rock'n'Roll]

This is hard to picture. If car is in lane three,then he must be overtaking something in lane two which is going faster than the car in lane one,so therefore,the car in lane one shouldn't pull out as there is a faster vehicle in lane two about to pass him.

[SurreyGuy]

So you've never seen prats that drive in lane three when there is nothing is in lane 2? :o)

[azif]

See them everyday lol Usually to make themselves feel better about themselves and their bald patch! :p

[wilsarnie]

In all honesty Rock'n'Roll it has nearly happened to me on a couple of occasions so is not too hard to picture.

I was in lane 3 moving back into lane 2 after overtaking (and leaving a suitable distance between overtaken car) and a slower car (but catching up quickly due to my difference in speed) was in lane 1 about to move out into lane 2.

Thankfully we both indicated so it was obvious to both drivers, so I stayed in outside lane until passed.

I see it happen after junctions where that has been joining traffic.

But is an interesting question posed by SurreyGuy...

[SurreyGuy]

Of course it was an interesting question.........................it was MY question! :o)

[Rock'n'Roll]

I know it happens,my job was driving. I was just trying to say that the driver in one should not have pulled out IF the motorway was being used correctly with all three lanes being in use. It would seem he was overtaking without care and attention.

[SurreyGuy]

But surely the driver in lane 3 should also make sure that it is ok to pull IN?

[Rock'n'Roll]

The driver in lane three had completed his manouver safely and was pulling in,as I stated,for the driver in one to pull out,then he would be risking the driver in two hitting him. The question was who was to blame,then for me,it has to be lane one.

[dilligaf]

I would say 50/50.

The Highway Code states lane changes should only be made "WHEN IT IS CLEAR TO DO SO"

Obviously in this instance it wasn't (for either driver)

[Gromit]

Lane 3, the outside lane is for overtaking. The driver should not be in this lane if the middle lane is empty, so he is at fault.

[Gromit]

Just looked it up, Rule 238 of the Highway Code.

[williaid]

gromit, if the driver in lane 3 had just overtaken something and was looking to pull back in to lane 2, then they would be using lane 3 correctly

i would say it was 50/50 as they both should have checked that the lane was clear

[Dassie]

I believe the "give way to traffic from the right" rule could apply in this situation in which case the inside lane should be checking his outside, just the same as in overtaking, before changing lane and anticipate the potential danger of the car on his outside.

[willowman]

If the car in lane 3 is overtaking another car and pulling back in to lane 2 they would be behind, and catching, the car in lane 1. Therefore, had the car in lane 1 been using his mirrors correctly, he should have been aware of what was happening behind him and not moved out into lane 2. So he was at fault for driving without due care and attention.

[SurreyGuy]

willowman - I have seen instances where the car in lane 3 has been level with the car in lane 1

[Gromit]

Probably best to go by train in future.

[willowman]

surreyguy - I understand what you mean (after 25 years as a rep I've seen it all), but the guy in lane 1 should still be aware of what is happening behind him. Watch a police driver and you will see he spends as much time looking behind as he does looking forward.

[Athena222]

It's much easier for the lane 3 guy(?) to anticipate a clear lane 2. There is quite a blind spot in the wing mirrors to see cars 2 lanes away