Hazards Whilst Filtering?

[iansoady]

WRT the ferry, question, I've discovered that you're supposed to use them if you have a disabled person in the vehicle so they can direct you to an appropriate parking place near an exit door.

You learn something every day!

[putbinoot]

There's the dilemma. Passing on the left (offside) is not a problem. Filtering between lines of traffic is deemed to be undertaking. When traffic is at a standstill, many drivers in Germany and Austria will move over to let bikes filter through. I have even had Police vehicles do it for me. if the traffic is moving, albeit slowly, then this seems to be when you can fall foul. some drivers will block you in both circumstances and technically they are within their rights.

Those I know who have been fined have been done so for passing on the right (undertaking). Filtering in the cities is more common place.

Drivers blocking you, I think that is classed as obstruction and will get you in more trouble than the person filtering. The only person allowed such power is the police, you as a civilian do not have the authority to obstruct the highway.

[geekay]

There's the dilemma. Passing on the left (offside) is not a problem. Filtering between lines of traffic is deemed to be undertaking. When traffic is at a standstill, many drivers in Germany and Austria will move over to let bikes filter through. I have even had Police vehicles do it for me. if the traffic is moving, albeit slowly, then this seems to be when you can fall foul. some drivers will block you in both circumstances and technically they are within their rights.

Those I know who have been fined have been done so for passing on the right (undertaking). Filtering in the cities is more common place.

Drivers blocking you, I think that is classed as obstruction and will get you in more trouble than the person filtering. The only person allowed such power is the police, you as a civilian do not have the authority to obstruct the highway.

they do 'do' it though!

I've just come back from a euro tour -some horrendous delays in switzerland due to the gotthard tunnel being partially closed and half of germany escaping to italy on holiday!

I've since discovered that it is probably illegal to filter in switzerland - but I did it at the time. My discovery was that (on the whole, big brush, sweeping statement) dutch and french drivers would quickly and dramatically move out of the way, germans would at best ignore you and the swiss actively block you. sweeping statement, but a lot of filtering - towards andermatt on the way out and for ages towards Basel on the return trip.

[Dave the Dude]

I live in Thailand and the idiots use them to signify when you are going straight on at a junction. Bloody stupid because, in reality you do not know if the are turning left or right!!

[Oop North John]

Some interesting views here from those in mainland Europe:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/t ... ring-77291

with the odd post that may not have been helpful  

[ziggy]

Here you are from the horses mouth.
https://www.gov.uk/general-rules-all-dr ... 113-to-116

Same link as my post    great minds think alike  

Strange, it makes no mention of being allowed to park anywhere, at anytime, and with absolutely no regard for other road / path users if you have the hazard warning lights flashing  

Sorry John missed your post.

 

[pauljobr]

I don't know what the rule is in France but being here currently and riding through Paris, I can certainly say that it appears all bikers and mopeds do it and more interestingly car drivers here are expecting it.
I found it quite disconcerting initially to approach a queue and all the cars pull over to let me through, just about used to it now after a couple of trips through, but I don't ride as quickly through the traffic as the locals , so I let them get past, as I don't have the confidence in the car drivers to move out and stay out of the way.
Even when out of the city car drivers I have approached are expecting me to overtake, as they pull to the side even when there is no overtaking allowed and I am still a good safe distance behind them. It is a nice feeling to have and I'll miss it when I get back to Britain where the drivers seem more intent of making it difficult to pass them.

[Hugo Magnus]

Moving over to prevent the passage of a fellow motorist is childish, bad mannered and dog in a mangerish, whether filtering is illegal/accepted or not.

[Gasman1975]

When I did my bike safe last year filtering was discussed and the police biker said filtering wasn't illegal as long as the road markings allowed it. They recommend you don't filter when traffic is moving at above 20mph but otherwise its fair play.

[Jacko]

Moving over to prevent the passage of a fellow motorist is childish, bad mannered and dog in a mangerish, whether filtering is illegal/accepted or not.

I agree, asking for trouble, legal or otherwise.

[bigpie]

Filtering is legal in this country, Highway Code mentions it specifically but does not indicate at what speeds it is legal. On my bike safe it was suggested to have a speed differential of no more than 10 to 15 mph and kept under 30. Don't cross solid white lines or go in to the advanced stop area for cyclists and it is legal. I filter most days on the bike.

[Brucey]

Moving over in their own lane to prevent you filtering isn't obstruction fella, especially when you have no right to filter in the first place.

Er, wrong. You have every right to engage in legal activity. It isn't illegal as long as you aren't endangering yourself or anyone else, and you're complying with the caveats provided by bigpie. Deliberately preventing someone from making lawful progress on the Queen's highway is obstruction. Simple.

[Jacko]

I think Ali meant in countries where filtering isn't legal.

[K6]

Why would you.

Use your eyes and an even share of brains and instinct, that is all............

[biker_adz]

Oh dear, what have I started here!  

It think the main thing hid thread shows is a huge diverse opinion of what's allowed which proves that the rules on it must be very unclear!

[StromAir2014]

Hi
I have just been reading your post about Hazard Warning Lights and their use. Just follow the rules set out in the Highway Code and you can't go wrong, also a word of advise if you're filtering a lot, you're only supposed to go up to 15mph maxi any more speed then this and you're breaking the law. Happy biking and stay safe.

your fuel gauge will differ a bit but not that much just pop into your local Suzuki dealer ask their advice the sensor might be malfunctioning.

[Oop North John]

also a word of advise if your filtering a lot, your only supposed to go up to 15mph maxi any more speed then this and your breaking the law.

Can you post a link to that law please? TVMIA.

[bigpie]

https://www.gov.uk/rules-motorcyclists-83-to-88/general-guidance-83-to-88

Additionally, when filtering in slow-moving traffic, take care and keep your speed low.

There's no speed written in law, it is up to interpretation, but if you are 'filtering' between motorway traffic that is going 70mph, you'll likely get a tug for something like undertaking or dangerous riding.

Michelle_B, obviously it is your choice, but as a commuter, I wouldn't dream of sitting in the traffic, my argument is that I see plenty incidents where the driver has bumped into the car in front (usually faffing around on their phone), not much issue when it is a car, but as a biker I don't want to be there.

[SausagesDad]

I bought the bike so that I could cut my 1 hr plus commute to 35 mins. Can't do that without filtering. Each to her or his own.

[Jacko]

Coming out of Wales on Easter Monday there were 10 miles of queuing cars on the A5 and M54, that's a long time to sit cooking in bike gear when you can filter the lot in half an hour.