S3 Suicide lane

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Fahad
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Re: S3 Suicide lane

Post by Fahad »

Big L wrote:I was overtaken by a biker going down the middle lane, prompting my passenger (taking his theory test in a couple of weeks) to ask if it was a motorbike lane. I suggested he start learning, and fast.
There are no questions concerning S3s in the driving theory test, and as far as I can tell no mention of them in the Highway Code or any of the supplementary booklets. If not for SABRE I would not know what one is
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Re: S3 Suicide lane

Post by Glen »

Fahad wrote:There are no questions concerning S3s in the driving theory test, and as far as I can tell no mention of them in the Highway Code or any of the supplementary booklets. If not for SABRE I would not know what one is
Rule 135:

Where a single carriageway has three lanes and the road markings or signs do not give priority to traffic in either direction

use the middle lane only for overtaking or turning right. Remember, you have no more right to use the middle lane than a driver coming from the opposite direction
do not use the right-hand lane.


https://www.gov.uk/general-rules-all-dr ... 133-to-143
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Re: S3 Suicide lane

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Thank you :)
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Truvelo
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Re: S3 Suicide lane

Post by Truvelo »

I have found a cracking photo of an S3 taken in 1936.

https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/EPW050397
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gepree68
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Re: S3 Suicide lane

Post by gepree68 »

Truvelo wrote: Wed May 20, 2020 18:55 I have found a cracking photo of an S3 taken in 1936.

https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/EPW050397
And back in 1936 this S3 road was part of A456, but is now A458.
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jervi
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Re: S3 Suicide lane

Post by jervi »

https://britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/EPW054137 (you need to be signed in to zoom in to see)
Handcross High Street (A23) was marked as three lanes, however marked as two either side of the high street. Found it odd when I first saw it.

Also, here is an S3 I drove on last year, it's probably been mentioned before. A48
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.61307 ... 384!8i8192
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Re: S3 Suicide lane

Post by Johnathan404 »

Wasn't expecting to find one on the B765, though it doubtless wasn't intended.
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Re: S3 Suicide lane

Post by Truvelo »

Johnathan404 wrote: Thu May 28, 2020 00:49 Wasn't expecting to find one on the B765, though it doubtless wasn't intended.
What's even more amazing is it's only appeared in the last few years. The earlier imagery shows it was S2 before.
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Re: S3 Suicide lane

Post by Bryn666 »

Truvelo wrote: Fri May 29, 2020 14:08
Johnathan404 wrote: Thu May 28, 2020 00:49 Wasn't expecting to find one on the B765, though it doubtless wasn't intended.
What's even more amazing is it's only appeared in the last few years. The earlier imagery shows it was S2 before.
A careful glance shows the correct use of a 1008 on one side making this a 2+1 leading to a roundabout. Surprised the 1008 doesn't change to a hazard warning line as it goes into the roundabout island though.
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Re: S3 Suicide lane

Post by AndyB »

Not a roundabout - the 2 side leads to traffic lights, and the 1 side leads to an odd M8 slip road.
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Re: S3 Suicide lane

Post by ravenbluemoon »

Had a little roadtrip out to the Peak District yesterday, and one thing I've always wondered is whether the A6187 (ex-A625) between Hathersage and Bamford was ever S3? It's a very wide S2 with cycle lanes now, and is how I've always known it. But it looks like one of those isolated improvements from back when the road was still a useful through route over Mam Tor.
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Re: S3 Suicide lane

Post by Helvellyn »

ravenbluemoon wrote: Mon Jun 22, 2020 23:42 Had a little roadtrip out to the Peak District yesterday, and one thing I've always wondered is whether the A6187 (ex-A625) between Hathersage and Bamford was ever S3? It's a very wide S2 with cycle lanes now, and is how I've always known it. But it looks like one of those isolated improvements from back when the road was still a useful through route over Mam Tor.
Interesting question. It looks a bit on the narrow side for S3 although the cycle lane markings possibly create and illusion of being narrower than it is.
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Re: S3 Suicide lane

Post by doebag »

I would say most certainly, compare it to the A149 Kings Lynn by-pass, which I have driven when it was S3.Though evidence of S3 is still visible on the A149.
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Re: S3 Suicide lane

Post by Owain »

jervi wrote: Thu May 21, 2020 17:46 Also, here is an S3 I drove on last year, it's probably been mentioned before. A48
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.61307 ... 384!8i8192
That's a cracker, isn't it?0

When I was boy, there was a similarly long stretch stretch of S3 here, on the English stretch of the A48, although by the time I passed my driving test (1994) it was already gone. :(

Initially it became S2W; the central hatching came later.
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jervi
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Re: S3 Suicide lane

Post by jervi »

Owain wrote: Tue Jun 23, 2020 19:15
jervi wrote: Thu May 21, 2020 17:46 Also, here is an S3 I drove on last year, it's probably been mentioned before. A48
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.61307 ... 384!8i8192
That's a cracker, isn't it?0

When I was boy, there was a similarly long stretch stretch of S3 here, on the English stretch of the A48, although by the time I passed my driving test (1994) it was already gone. :(

Initially it became S2W; the central hatching came later.
So the English part of the A48 you shared is kinda an S3 again now. As in there are no solid central lines
on either side, so you CAN use it for overtaking (presuming you are thin enough to fit in that central area), although I wouldn't suggest any to unless they are on a motorcycle.
IIRC, It is only correct for central hashed areas to have the same central lines as a S3 or S2+1. So for example, here is incorrect & here is incorrect
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Re: S3 Suicide lane

Post by Owain »

jervi wrote: Tue Jun 23, 2020 21:56
Owain wrote: Tue Jun 23, 2020 19:15
jervi wrote: Thu May 21, 2020 17:46 Also, here is an S3 I drove on last year, it's probably been mentioned before. A48
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.61307 ... 384!8i8192
That's a cracker, isn't it?0

When I was boy, there was a similarly long stretch stretch of S3 here, on the English stretch of the A48, although by the time I passed my driving test (1994) it was already gone. :(

Initially it became S2W; the central hatching came later.
So the English part of the A48 you shared is kinda an S3 again now. As in there are no solid central lines
on either side, so you CAN use it for overtaking (presuming you are thin enough to fit in that central area), although I wouldn't suggest any to unless they are on a motorcycle.
IIRC, It is only correct for central hashed areas to have the same central lines as a S3 or S2+1. So for example, here is incorrect & here is incorrect
Yes, you can still legally overtake on it ... and, it being Gloucestershire, there are plenty of tractors! I'm sure I've made a few passes there...

The only thing is that the central hatching is not quite as wide as the old central lane would have been, so it would be a bit 'uncomfortable' if there were oncoming traffic. Back when it was S3, there was no such concern.

Plus there's a far greater chance of debris lying in the hatched area than in a live lane; something probably even more perilous to motorcycles than cars.
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Was92now625
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Re: S3 Suicide lane

Post by Was92now625 »

ravenbluemoon wrote: Mon Jun 22, 2020 23:42 Had a little roadtrip out to the Peak District yesterday, and one thing I've always wondered is whether the A6187 (ex-A625) between Hathersage and Bamford was ever S3? It's a very wide S2 with cycle lanes now, and is how I've always known it. But it looks like one of those isolated improvements from back when the road was still a useful through route over Mam Tor.
It's the pretence at a right-hand turning lane but too narrow for any 4-wheeled vehicle. https://www.instantstreetview.com/@53.3 ... 7h,0.7p,1z
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Re: S3 Suicide lane

Post by jervi »

Was92now625 wrote: Tue Jun 23, 2020 23:02
ravenbluemoon wrote: Mon Jun 22, 2020 23:42 Had a little roadtrip out to the Peak District yesterday, and one thing I've always wondered is whether the A6187 (ex-A625) between Hathersage and Bamford was ever S3? It's a very wide S2 with cycle lanes now, and is how I've always known it. But it looks like one of those isolated improvements from back when the road was still a useful through route over Mam Tor.
It's the pretence at a right-hand turning lane but too narrow for any 4-wheeled vehicle. https://www.instantstreetview.com/@53.3 ... 7h,0.7p,1z
Not too much of an issue though because cars can just get around a waiting right turn vehicle by utilising the cycle lane.
https://www.instantstreetview.com/@53.3 ... .28p,2.48z After all there looks to be a very nice cycle path, with the only ever instance that I've seen that sign.
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Re: S3 Suicide lane

Post by Was92now625 »

jervi wrote: Tue Jun 23, 2020 23:37
Was92now625 wrote: Tue Jun 23, 2020 23:02
It's the pretence at a right-hand turning lane but too narrow for any 4-wheeled vehicle. https://www.instantstreetview.com/@53.3 ... 7h,0.7p,1z
Not too much of an issue though because cars can just get around a waiting right turn vehicle by utilising the cycle lane.
https://www.instantstreetview.com/@53.3 ... .28p,2.48z After all there looks to be a very nice cycle path, with the only ever instance that I've seen that sign.
That's true. Not too many cars using this. I don't think that I've ever been held up by someone using this area.
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Re: S3 Suicide lane

Post by SteveA30 »

heading west along the A30 yesterday, the S3 just east of Honiton bypass has finally gone. Now central hatching, narrower than the middle lane. I was last there sometime in June so, a very recent change. Amazing it lasted so long really.
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