Merging Lanes

[lacmag3]

I'm in a line of traffic in the left lane at end of a climbing lane section when a car approaches fast on the (soon to end) outside lane, slowing only when half a length past me. If he was to drift left and hit my car, who's in wrong, me for not allowing enough room or him for merging into my lane when insufficient gap available?

[lacmag3]

You've got me there ZM!

[ummmm]

If he hits your car then it's his fault.

What kind of speeds are we talking about?

[jno]

if it's his lane that ends and not yours, then he needs to wait before changing lanes until he can do it safely.

[Mosaic]

Despite the rights and wrongs, it might just be safer for you to let the boy racer get ahead. I wouldn't want to contemplate a collision happeneing, let alone just to prove who's right.

[Svejk]

You shouldn't post and drive at the same time. However, why not just let someone in regardless of who's right or wrong.

[Old_Geezer]

No legal expert but my thought is that one should not pass if one can not do so safely. But it also occurs to me that it is everyone's duty to avoid accidents so I'm unsure all blame is put on one. They sound a little reckless to me so given CCTV evidence it might be all their responsibility.

[Maydup]

I don't think there's a right or a wrong answer to merging lanes. Instead its one that would drag on forever while the two insurance companies argued about who should give way to whom. Hopefully you would win and he would be accused of dangerous driving of course, but its not a given.

[mushroom25]

the rule of the road in the uk is give way to the right, which means that however much you dislike the idea, boy-racer has precedence even though it's his lane that ends.

however it would not be that clear-cut in a contact situation.

[baza]

surely give way to the right applies to roundabouts, imo if it just joe soap then let him in, boy racer in hatchback, leave him in the right lane.

[chrissa1]

I would have thought it's up to the guy in the righthand lane to wait to filter into the lefthand, open lane.

Your lane has the right of way. His, is closed.

[KenR]

Chances are that if this collision actually happened the police would charge both and let the courts sort it out. Irrespective of who may or may not be in the right it is probably easier in the long run (and certainly less hassle) to just let them in.

[New Judge]

If the police were to charge both drivers (presumably with careless driving) it would certainly not be the court's function to determine blame for a collision. If either or both drivers pleaded not guilty the trial(s) would simply concentrate on whether the standard of driving fell below that expected of a careful and competent driver (which is the test for careless driving). It is not a criminal cout's function to apportion blame for any incident.

[TWR]

The driver in the outside lane has advanced warnings that their lane is coming to an end, his / her fault.

[bhg481]

I was taught to give way to the driver overtaking. He is travelling faster than you are so it is more difficult for him to slow down.
On top of that he is clearly less competent than you are as he doesn't know his limitations, so I would rather he was in front where I can easily see him than having him tailgate me, as he almost certainly will until he finally manages to overtake.
Finally, any accident costs you inconvenience and money, even if it is decided that you are completely faultless. With a claim hanging about changing insurance company at renewal can be awkward; you are messing about taking your car to be repaired etc.
Far simpler just to give way.

[TWR]

I have been in the position many times with the selfish Drivers Bhj, they should read the sign & the road ahead of them, If I am following a car in front of my & an Idiot try's to "Force their way in" I will not back off I'm afraid. Wait for it!

[TWR]

Bhg

[bhg481]

Exactly TWR, they should read the sign. If they don't they are less competent than you are. Still inconvenient if you have an accident because neither gives way.

[TWR]

I agree, we have all been there, but I'm sure they would not argue with an artic.

[bhg481]

Ah, you're one up on me there TWR.