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Subject Topic: Towing in the 3rd lane
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Personflufftec
17/7/2013 at 3:57pm
 Location: Blackwood
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Before anyone says I know that you tow in the 3rd lane of a motorway but where do you stand in this situation.

I was driving down the M4 earlier in the works van and there was something very wide on the back of an artic lorry had lights and a convoy vehicle with it the only thing is everybody had to go into the 3rd lane to pass it, the lorry was only doing around 45mph, I have never came across this whilst towing, where would you stand with the law on this?

Thanks

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Im new to this please be gentle


PersonBill Terry
17/7/2013 at 4:05pm
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overtake in the third lane.As it did have an escort.

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Roughing it in style at Calloose caravan and camping holiday park nr St Ives.(seasonal pitch)
Its not a hangover, its wine flu!


nant mill.N/Wales
just dont go there.


Personflufftec
17/7/2013 at 4:06pm
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That's great thanks I thought that would be the case but wanted to check

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Im new to this please be gentle


PersonGrampian91
17/7/2013 at 4:46pm
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I agree. You cannot be expected to sit behind a vehicle that maybe doing 40mph.

In that situation use the 3rd lane as long as its safe.

Although some trailer tent owners seem to think its OK for them to use the 3rd lane.



Persontango55
17/7/2013 at 5:33pm
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The UK law states that you are only allowed to use the first and second lanes whilst towing a trailer of any description but that this applies just on normal circumstances. However, there can be occassions whereby there is no alternative passage other than that of using the third lane especially in cases of the passing of slow moving vehicles with wide loads providing that the manouvre is done safely in order to keep the traffic flowing. 


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PersonBasilbrush
17/7/2013 at 5:43pm
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The lorry may have had a movement order restricting his speed, he's safer using the two nearside lanes and keeping the load off the hard shoulder because of the possibility he may come across a vehicle stopped on the hard shoulder and someone could get seriously hurt.

I've always used lane 3 in need be to pass a wide load, even in the days when the Police used to escort them, and never had a problem.

BB


PersonThe 2 Tops
17/7/2013 at 6:29pm
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The question is, "should such a wide, slow convoy have been overlapping the second lane in the first place? Should not the wide load have been overlapping the hard shoulder, and only pulling out if necessary to pass a broken down vehicle. Is there a specific proviso for a vehicle towing a trailer/caravan to go into the third lane, in the situation described?
Or is this simply based on the personal opinions of those who would take this course of action?
Without clear indication from, say, a police officer following such a convoy, I would be very reluctant to take my caravan into the third lane.
Bertie.

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The 2 Tops


PersonAL53HX
17/7/2013 at 6:56pm
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Tango55 you are spot on,I overtake such wide loads in the outside lane in my lorry,as do lots of others,it is acceptable under those circumstances,I also do it when coming across a gritting lorry that's in the middle lane,as for overhanging the hard shoulder they wont do that because there are numerous places where there is no hard shoulder,and with the amount of traffic around,they wouldn't be able to change lanes very easily,it's a similar case with car drivers hogging the middle lane at 50 MPH(and there are lots,(before I get villified) that do)then we break the law by undertaking in the inside lane.Also,you can use the outside lane when towing in roadworks,as long as you don't exceed the width restriction


PersonBRYANMITCH
17/7/2013 at 7:33pm
 Location: GATESHEAD
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The 2 tops...wide load should never overhang the hard shoulder unless opened up for normal usage..as in a managed motorway section and will always split lanes 1+2 if they need the space.
Flufftec..you are fine towing in lane 3 if it is the only way to pass an abnormal load ..you are supposed to be directed by the attendant(escort) of the load or police but it is generally accepted that by them blocking lane 2 you have no choice but to pass in lane 3---but do it carefully--plan ahead and dont hold-up the traffic-flow.
Other exceptions ..lane 3 is ok on a 4-lane motorway.Ok to use if lanes 1and 2 are closed also.
You may also use lane 3 on occasion if you would be endangering life or risking injury to persons by staying in lane 2 e.g tyre fitters or breakdown fitters working on the edge of lane 1.All common sense really and you wont be penalised if you carry out these actions safely.

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Bryan- TENT CAMPER...by choice!


PersonSGThomas
17/7/2013 at 7:42pm
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You may not enter the outside lane when towing unless ordered to do so by someone in authority.

In my case it is if my wife tells me to!


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Personderekupnorth
17/7/2013 at 8:26pm
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Quote: Originally posted by SGThomas on 17/7/2013
You may not enter the outside lane when towing unless ordered to do so by someone in authority.

In my case it is if my wife tells me to!


I very seldom laugh out loud when alone in a public place (I'm in a hotel lounge at the moment) but I did when I read this


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New to this - but learning fast!


PersonWOBBLE
17/7/2013 at 9:00pm
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if everyone towing and all H.G.V. had stayed behind these lorries can you imagine the tail back on the motorway. I don't think the police would be very happy with that, passing with caution would be the best option.


Personflufftec
17/7/2013 at 9:44pm
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Thanks all, I'm not sure what he was carrying but he was straddling lanes 1 and 2 and close to he hard shoulder and the lines for lane 3, further down the road there was a break down or rather a lorry having a offside tyre changed she he had to move into lane 3 as well at that time. I glad to have been able to clear that up as I said I was in a van not towing but more than likely gone around him in the 3rd lane if I was towing as the traffic was moving at a steady 56mph due to a lorry also over taking.

Again thanks for clearing this up for me and possibly others


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Im new to this please be gentle


Personblueexpo97
18/7/2013 at 6:56am
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Had this last week coming up the M74. It was a truck carrying a wooden lodge with escort vehicle, had to use lane three.

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XVI yes?

As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
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Personlisterdiesel
18/7/2013 at 11:16am
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A fairly good guide is to watch what the HGV artic drivers do, if they pull out and overtake then you'd be pretty safe.

It also depends on what you're towing, if I have the small 4-wheel trailer on I'll often nip out and back quickly, but with the big 6-wheeler I'll tend to wait.

Peter


PersonZafiral
18/7/2013 at 12:26pm
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Are you allowed into lane 3 of a 3 lane A road (the A2 near Gravesend for example) while towing?

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All year Dorset!!!



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