Not sure if this has been covered....nice to have some clarification Filtering law revised in the UK only works if the cars are stationary or moving very slowly when the incident happens, take care out there
Filtering is not illegal in itself, and is acknowledged in the Highway Code, but as you filter you might be committing other offences, depending on your speed, your positioning, the road markings, etc. The cases mentioned in the article all date from several years ago, so are not news, and relate to civil claims for damages after a collision. This is about contributory negligence - if you are the victim of an accident caused by somebody else's negligence, were they 100% to blame or should some degree of blame attach to you as well? There are many different cases down the years, where various percentages of blame have been attached to the different parties depending on the facts of the case as found by the courts. Those percentages are not really precedents, and would not really be binding in a new case so the article is not very informative. A simple rule of thumb is: If you ride carelessly and incautiously, any accident which happens is likely to be partly your fault; while if you ride attentively and skilfully, an accident is likely not to be your fault at all.
If you ride carelessly and incautiously, any accident which happens is likely to be partly your fault; while if you ride attentively and skilfully, an accident is likely not to happen at all... However, sometimes they do... Being "in the right" is not always any comfort when a myopic half-wit has just knocked you off. The basic lesson appears to be - it's legal to filter, but not always safe... Ride carefully out there !
There's an excellent critique of the article on the OP's link (Filtering law revised in the UK) by Kevin Williams in the current (November/December) Motorcycle Action Group "The Road" magazine. Well worth a look.
Nothing you have told me is news guys I am well aware of the responsibility on me to be prepared for the other drivers actions. Where can I get hold of the Road magazine article ?
Talking about filtering Yesterday I had to turn left into a main road where the traffic going the other way was stationary Coming down on my side was a Harley with no intention of moving over I had nowhere else to move and I had to stop so I avoided him I watched him as he was coming up to me and eye contacted him and he just laughed as he went past me He comes into work so I shall be having a little chat to him and he is unaware I'm a biker myself When I'm filtering I always make sure I'm not in the way of oncoming traffic
In 2001 I was filtering through traffic , making my way to the front of temporary lights , and was knocked off by a taxi doing a u turn. Magistrate said anyone creating a third lane on a two lane carriageway , IE me , was to blame if there was an accident . In 2005 I was overtaking a tractor, in my pickup , on an uphill 2 laner with 1 lane downhill when a car tried to pass me , making a third lane , he avoided hitting the oncoming car by turning into a none existent gap . Three smashed up cars and a tractor later back in front of a different magistrate . Mentioned the creation of the third lane and car driver got done for the lot including a dangerous driving charge . As said careful through filtering .
Mine went back after 3 months in 2007 . Couldnt get along with the poor build quality compared to the older model . Chopped it in for an 06 999R . Still got it.
Filtering has always been legal in my book, always will be. But apparently tearing across Hyde Park while being chased by a bike cop is not on...You live and learn:tongue:
Filtering is simple enough and safe if you travel at a speed where you can comfortably stop if someone decides to change lanes. Job done, safely. Here or abroad. If you are forcing a space then it probably isn't wise....
Conversation between my mate and a young lad who worked for him ( who had just come back from a court appearance ) - "What did you get ?" - "Six month ban, £1200 fine and a compulsory re-test" - "Oooo... What were you doing ?" - "105mph in a 70 limit" - "Seems a bit harsh..." - "Well, to be honest, it was between two rows of stationary traffic..." - "You are a f***ing idiot and you deserve everything you got !"
When we read brief reports of cases, we should bear in mind that a lot of information before the court is not mentioned in the reports. The judge or magistrate may have listened to a person's evidence and decided that they are a liar, or an idiot, or a menace who should not be on the road - or perhaps that both sides are. Those conclusions may have been taken into account in the judgment or sentence. Guys who tell you their story down the pub also usually omit those bits, if they are adverse to their own argument.
and this is the point...........what is filtering? your filtering or mine or someone else does.............
also watch out for pedestrians. i was filtering through stationary traffic the other day and some kid ran out from the front of a transit van as i was passing the passenger door. i managed to stop and the kid brushed past my front wheel and looked back at me in shock/relief!
