Getting into lanes at traffic lights

mikehammer69 · 12 Jun 2026

I had a very minor accident years ago where someone passed me on the inside approaching traffic lights where there was a turn left lane and a straight ahead lane

They passed me a long way back and I indicated left and hit them

I assumed it was my fault and I think insurance paid them

Now Im thinking it was 50/50 me negligent for not being aware of them but they shouldn't have passed that far back.

Now i keep in lane well ahead without passing but who was at fault here ?

diy_fun_uk · 12 Jun 2026

I don't understand what you mean by 'they passed me a long way back'? If they've passed you, they've passed you. Their vehicle would then be in front? You then say 'they shouldn't have passed that far back' but again, whether they were right or wrong to pass you on the inside, once they've done it they've done it?

Or do you mean they were in the process of passing you on the inside and you started to move your vehicle over and hit theirs?

mikehammer69 · 12 Jun 2026

diy_fun_uk said:
I don't understand what you mean by 'they passed me a long way back'? If they've passed you, they've passed you. Their vehicle would then be in front? You then say 'they shouldn't have passed that far back' but again, whether they were right or wrong to pass you on the inside, once they've done it they've done it?

Or do you mean they were in the process of passing you on the inside and you started to move your vehicle over and hit theirs?

Sorry yes the second paragraph of yours

They were in the process of passing when the collision occured

blup · 12 Jun 2026

He was in lane albeit undertaking, and would only have been responsible if he'd shunted you. As it was you failed to keep a proper look out, which could have happened regardless of his driving style.

mikehammer69 · 12 Jun 2026

I was never sure about this hence the post

noseall · 12 Jun 2026

mikehammer69 said:
I had a very minor accident years ago where someone passed me on the inside approaching traffic lights where there was a turn left lane and a straight ahead lane

They passed me a long way back and I indicated left and hit them

I assumed it was my fault and I think insurance paid them

Now Im thinking it was 50/50 me negligent for not being aware of them but they shouldn't have passed that far back.

Now i keep in lane well ahead without passing but who was at fault here ?

In busy traffic areas, it is assumed that traffic on inside lanes can move more quickly than those in outside lanes.

It’s your fault all day.

Murdochcat · 12 Jun 2026

If you knew you were going to be turning left why were you in the right lane?

Odds · 12 Jun 2026

I like traffic lights.

Deluks · 12 Jun 2026

Murdochcat said:
If you knew you were going to be turning left why were you in the right lane?

He may have entered the lane from the right. Supermarket near to me, when you exit, you have to change lanes twice in a short length of road.

I can't help thinking that if he was indicating, then the driver behind should've let him in if his lane was running out. Although that's always contentious.

Koolpc · 12 Jun 2026

Had the same issue once... Had to be so quick changing lane!!!! Nearly had a nasty collision...

Trazor · 12 Jun 2026

Murdochcat said:
If you knew you were going to be turning left why were you in the right lane?

He wasn't , he was in the wrong lane.............

motorbiking · 13 Jun 2026

If I understand the OP correctly, he cut the left lane as he turned left not expecting someone to be there having checked it was clear some time ago, only to find another vehicle was there, The one that had recently passed him.

There are specific rules about not overtaking the lead vehicle on a crossing, but its doesn't sound like this was such a situation,

mikehammer69 · 13 Jun 2026

There was no lanes where the other driver attempted to pass on inside

It was a single lane a long way back from the lights

motorbiking · 13 Jun 2026

mikehammer69 said:
There was no lanes where the other driver attempted to pass on inside

It was a single lane a long way back from the lights

how was there room for him to pass you on the inside and where did you hit his car?

The problem you have, is while its unwise and potentially dangerous to run up the inside of a line of traffic making your own lane, once you get away with it and are in front, waiting for the lights to change, the burden is on the car behind not to hit it.

Assuming there were no witnesses, you could have gone 50/50.

mikehammer69 · 13 Jun 2026

motorbiking said:
how was there room for him to pass you on the inside and where did you hit his car?

The problem you have, is while its unwise and potentially dangerous to run up the inside of a line of traffic making your own lane, once you get away with it and are in front, waiting for the lights to change, the burden is on the car behind not to hit it.

Assuming there were no witnesses, you could have gone 50/50.

The front left corner of mine ,the right centre front theirs

There was room to pass on the inside but no lane markings

Getting into lanes at traffic lights

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