Does ‘undertaking’ need investigating?

THE EDITOR: I feel it is time for the Ministry of Works and Transport to clarify the growing confusion over the highway lane usage rules. This is due to the large volume of traffic on our roads. In slow moving traffic you should not change lanes to the left to overtake. If you cut from one lane to another in such a way that following drivers have to swerve or brake, you could cause a pile-up. Many drivers, in fact, probably a majority do not understand fully the regulations, and even the Highway Code is not much help.

For instance, overtaking on the left (widely known as undertaking) is not illegal. This practice is regarded as potentially dangerous when carried out by aggressive drivers, “hopping” from lane to lane. Signs on some highways advises that drivers should use the right hand lane for overtaking. The key word there is advise. There is a case to be made for the publication of guidelines which clarifies the whole issue. These guidelines would, if followed, improve lane discipline which in itself would lead to fewer accidents and better traffic flow.

L B HUNTE
Diego Martin