 | Home > Off Topic > Motorway towing |
 
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| Rashers Member Since: 21 Jun 2015 Location: Norfolk Posts: 3525   
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I will chuck my hat in the ring and say no you can't use the outside lane if you are towing (no actual experience or specific knowledge of this part of the road law, I must add at this point)
The reason I would say is that roadworks don't alter the law of the road unless of course you are instructed otherwise (i.e. speed restrictions through roadworks) Unless there is a sign saying all vehicles use both lanes, I wouldn't have thought you would be able to legally tow a trailer in lane three if lane one is coned off - but that's just my take on it. But then I live in Norfolk. We don't have motorways in Norfolk, so what would I know?  |
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20th Oct 2017 7:46am |
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| Coatesyyy Member Since: 07 Sep 2017 Location: Knutsford Posts: 423
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I agree with Rashers. Unless there was a sign saying for all vehicles to use both lanes I wouldn't
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20th Oct 2017 7:50am |
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| excossack Member Since: 22 Feb 2012 Location: North West Posts: 5866 
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I was leaning towards staying in lane 2 as well, it was a question that came up on a motorway trip and neither of us really knew the answer. 1999 Defender TD5 110
Regards John M0VAZ Econet Station 48 no clock |
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20th Oct 2017 8:02am |
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| GREENI Member Since: 22 Aug 2010 Location: staffs Posts: 10383
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If lane 1 is closed you can use lane 3.
Imagine an incline and a slow moving truck, with trucks being restricted to the inside lane. Won't really work. Usually in those circumstances there'll be restricted speed anyway, so they won't pose any danger. |
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20th Oct 2017 8:52am |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17489 
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My understanding of the situation is that if Lane 1 is properly closed off with cones etc then the motorway has become a two lane carriageway and you can tow in the former Lane 3.
In a similar theme, here's another teaser. You are towing on the motorway and you come up behind an abnormal indivisible load travelling at 40mph, running with escort vehicles, which occupies both Lane 1 and Lane 2. Are you allowed to use Lane 3 to overtake? |
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20th Oct 2017 9:39am |
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| excossack Member Since: 22 Feb 2012 Location: North West Posts: 5866
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That was the discussion we had, is lane 3 now lane 2 so therefore we can tow?
Good teaser BW. Anyone on here a Motorway police person or a Driving instructor? 1999 Defender TD5 110 Regards John M0VAZ Econet Station 48 no clock |
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20th Oct 2017 9:47am |
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| rallysteve Member Since: 10 Feb 2014 Location: Cumbria Posts: 2237 
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to answer both: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1995/2507/regulation/11/made
Only other exclusion allowing a goods vehicle (7.5t+) or towing vehicle to enter lane 3 or 4 is if instructed by a uniformed traffic officer. Steve 02' 110 TD5 Double Cab Rebuild Thread |
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20th Oct 2017 10:31am |
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| leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8582
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Whilst I would agree that the three lane motorway has become a 2 lane motorway and so towing in the outer lane is permissable.
Rallysteve whilst I agree with the document that you linked to, however is it legal in England, Wales and Northern Ireland as it is entitled ??
Hopefully there is another act entitled The Motorways Traffic (England/Wales/NI) Regulations 1995 Now what exceptions are there in the case of an emergency? Lane 1 and 2 blocked by an accident that has just occurred. No police/HTO present, no overhead gantry signs activated, what then? Have seen a HGV drive onto had shoulder to avoid very large debris in lane 1 as that was safer then swerving into lane 2. Yes technically breaking the law but safer in the circumstances. When I tow on motorway if lane 1 is blocked I tend to avoid lane 3 for safety reasons as traffic in lane 3 can be approaching the restricted area at speeds in excess of the speed limit or due to large number of vehicles in lane 3. Brendan |
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20th Oct 2017 11:23am |
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| rallysteve Member Since: 10 Feb 2014 Location: Cumbria Posts: 2237
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Indeed, p3822 and 3823 are the same for England:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1982/1...163_en.pdf 02' 110 TD5 Double Cab Rebuild Thread |
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20th Oct 2017 12:04pm |
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| Coatesyyy Member Since: 07 Sep 2017 Location: Knutsford Posts: 423
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good find rallysteve
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20th Oct 2017 12:07pm |
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| rallysteve Member Since: 10 Feb 2014 Location: Cumbria Posts: 2237
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see the link, 16. Exclusions, part c) Steve 02' 110 TD5 Double Cab Rebuild Thread |
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20th Oct 2017 12:27pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17489
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The answer, as correctly identified above, is yes, you are allowed to use Lane 3 for just as long as necessary to overtake. Here's another teaser: We have agreed that goods vehicles over 7.5 tons MAM are not allowed in Lane 3 of a three-lane moterway under normal circumstances, but is a goods vehicle with an MAM between 3.5 and 7.5 tons allowed to use Lane 3 under normal traffic conditions, and if so what restrictions or conditions apply? |
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20th Oct 2017 12:34pm |
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| rallysteve Member Since: 10 Feb 2014 Location: Cumbria Posts: 2237
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I read that as yes, as long as it is under 12m in length (unless for passenger carrying) and has a MGW of under 7.5t.
Although i find all of the towing laws (particularly use of towing mirrors and restricted speeds) are generally ignored by most vehicles on the motorway. Last weekend doing 70 in the nearside lane on the M1 was overtaken by several caravans and one works 'tipper' towing a trailer also in the outside lane. I suspect many towing are also not within the restrictions of their licence either. Steve 02' 110 TD5 Double Cab Rebuild Thread |
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20th Oct 2017 12:45pm |
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| leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8582
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Thanks Steve, it is good to see someone do a good link to a specific relevant act of parliament
Brendan |
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20th Oct 2017 1:11pm |
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