Following a wide load, well two, up the M18 this afternoon I watched three HGV’s overtake. As the wide load was taking up the two inside lanes they had to use the third lane which I thought was ilegal or are there exceptions.
I think it is still illegal, however if it had a police ■■■■■■ telling them to pass then that would pretty much except them from it.
It didn’t have a police ■■■■■■ just a van, who was doing a good job
If I’d been there it would have been 4 doing the overtaking. 
If a wide load is taking up all but the outside lane I will use that lane to get past. I’ve always done that, whether it is under police ■■■■■■ or not, and never had a problem. I’ve never heard of anyone having a problem doing that either.
I think the rule says something along the lines that trucks cannot use the outside lane of a 3 or more lane motorway unless directed otherwise. As far as it goes I would say that a vehicles taking up all the lanes except the outside one would qualify as being directed otherwise.
Coffeeholic:
If I’d been there it would have been 4 doing the overtaking.I think the rule says something along the lines that trucks cannot use the outside lane of a 3 or more lane motorway unless directed otherwise. As far as it goes I would say that a vehicles taking up all the lanes except the outside one would qualify as being directed otherwise.
I agree. Just a matter of applying some common sense.
No Neil, don’t reply to that second sentence cos I know you’re thinking what I’m thinking. 
Rob K:
I agree. Just a matter of applying some common sense.No Neil, don’t reply to that second sentence cos I know you’re thinking what I’m thinking.
Biting my tongue Rob.
On a related note, I had a ‘brisk discussion’ with another driver recently after he had a go at me for ‘going in the outside lane on the M6.’
I was heading southbound approaching the M1/A14 junction and I was continuing onto the M1 southbound. As you well know it can queue back with traffic wanting the A14. As soon as the painted line changed between lane 1 and 2, the lines get closer together, I went out into the outside lane to overtake vehicles that were in the middle one of the three lanes. The other driver had a go saying I was reckless/dangerous/asking to get nicked etc etc. My arguement is that as soon as that line changes pattern the the M6, to the M1 south is now only 2 lanes and I can use the outside lane. He wouldn’t have it though. I’ve done it with police cars in the vicinity and never been stopped, so that’s good enough for me.
Agree again. Once had a similar thing happen to me on the north circular and also A46 near Warwick. I was using lane 3 on both of them and on the London one, had a puddle jumper tell me I wasn’t allowed to use that lane and likewise at Warwick where a van driver said same. Perhaps another one for the urban myths thread.
Rob K:
Agree again. Once had a similar thing happen to me on the north circular and also A46 near Warwick. I was using lane 3 on both of them and on the London one, had a puddle jumper tell me I wasn’t allowed to use that lane and likewise at Warwick where a van driver said same. Perhaps another one for the urban myths thread.
As both A406 and A46 are both A class roads not Motorways you were correct in what you did…clearly more people who do not know the rules of the road. 
I would agree on that - as soon as the line changes it is part of the exit.
Don’t think I have ever seen a HGV sit behind a wide load either… I certainly wouldn’t.
Like Rob says - apply common sense !!! (and ignore van / puddle jumper drivers!)
G
dennisw1:
I think it is still illegal, however if it had a police ■■■■■■ telling them to pass then that would pretty much except them from it.
You dont get Police escorts these days,Its all privatised a bit like England was.
The one and only time I have been into lane 3 with a double decker bus I used to own was to overtake a wide load taking up lanes 1 and 2 on the M1 near Sheffield. It was going less than 20 mph so I joined the traffic in lane 3 and went past - at my maximum speed of 33 mph! That was in the days of a police ■■■■■■. It was slow enough travelling at 33mph let alone 20 mph.
Calv
jammymutt:
dennisw1:
I think it is still illegal, however if it had a police ■■■■■■ telling them to pass then that would pretty much except them from it.You dont get Police escorts these days,Its all privatised a bit like England was.
You do for exceptional loads. Like the operating theatre to Benenden earlier in the year. But yes ‘slightly abnormal’ loads can use their own ■■■■■■ vehicle. Being honest most of them dont actually need police escorts anyway.
a46 three lane section is nr Kenilworth
I have only once been in lane 3 in a truck
and that was to overtake a wide load taking
up lanes 1 and 2 then I returned back to lane 1.
im quite often overtaking in lane 3 on the A14 & the A406
paul
flatbedman:
im quite often overtaking in lane 3 on the A14 & the A406
It’s no problem on the A2 either
It’s no problem on the A2 either
You’ve not tried it in one of our MAN TGA’s then! Gutless piles of ■■■■.
dennisw1:
You’ve not tried it in one of our MAN TGA’s then! Gutless piles of [zb].
Which TGA have you got then Dennis?
My TGA 460 pulls fine, at 40 tonnes mgw. At least as well as the Merc Mega Space 2546 that I had this week.
It gets very annoying, when someone who thinks they know everything, start arguing with those of us who do. (Know everything that is). 
dennisw1:
jammymutt:
dennisw1:
I think it is still illegal, however if it had a police ■■■■■■ telling them to pass then that would pretty much except them from it.You dont get Police escorts these days,Its all privatised a bit like England was.
You do for exceptional loads. Like the operating theatre to Benenden earlier in the year. But yes ‘slightly abnormal’ loads can use their own ■■■■■■ vehicle. Being honest most of them dont actually need police escorts anyway.
yeah slightly abnormal thats right - we regularly do 150te gross and 5m+ wide and haven’t had a police ■■■■■■ for ages, only if you’re going to block a road (like the cadolto units into benenden hospital) do they bother any more 