The Truth About ... Filtering

The new series of videos by White Dalton Motorcycle Solicitors continues with what every biker really wants - and needs - to know about filtering.
And up to this point we're pleased to say White Dalton has never lost a filtering case.
Andrew Prendergast and Gavin Grewal, solicitors at White Dalton, take you through some of the hazards bikers face when defending filtering and how insurers will try to apportion blame - and why that shouldn’t automatically be the case. Also what bikers need to be fully aware of if (or rather when!) choosing to filter.
Please do let us know what you think in the comments, and if there are topics you'd like us to talk about, mention that too 👍
White Dalton - Specialist Motorcycle Solicitors
0800 783 6191
www.whitedalton.co.uk
whitedalton
whitedalton

[@TheVividdarkside]

I got side swiped in 1998 by a driver pulling out of stationary traffic whilst i was filtering down a empty oncoming lane,low speed off no massive injuries just broken plastics (1985 GSXR 750),driver addmitted full liability roadside. That evening i got a call saying they had spken to their solictors,and i was in the wrong and they would go to court,i said you sure becasue im pretty certain you will loose,i am allowed to be there and so on. Went to arbitration,took under 10 minutes and i came away with full payout. To this day whenever i filter i allways do it insanely slow,because you never know what they going to do. Great Video,Thanks

[@chuzzwade288]

Amazing. Very informative. I’ve seen Gav on the 44teeth channel. Good to know there are specialist solicitors that are bikers.

[@yodomcat]

Great video chaps! We need to get a campaign going educating drivers that filtering is legal! They don't need to move over for bikes, but please, please, PLEASE never move to block a bike! It is such a dangerous thing to do.

[@anton5749]

Great video - Very useful advise thank you.

[@cliveadams7629]

Whether you're in the right or not, better to avoid the crash altogether which means less speed, more observation and anticipation. That first guy could have avoided that by being a little slower overall and much slower approaching the option.

[@terrysm1th]

I'm sure filtering is mentioned 3 times...once for us as motorcyclists and twice for other road users. Rule 211 is my favourite. I'm an instructor and make students apply the rules for over taking to filtering to keep safe. Not near junctions, pedestrian crossings or roadworks 🤘🏻

[@richbrock9876]

Great video, thank you. Came here from 44Teeth. As a motorcyclist and HGV driver I absolutely agree that you must take great care when filtering. In slow moving traffic heading to London around 7am everyday I see the bikes who do it properly…and some who I’m sure are heading straight to the accident as fast as they can. As said in the video I doubt there is little comfort knowing you were in the right sat in hospital with half your leg gone

[@hypermotardking]

Great advice as always chaps.. everyday is a school day

[@NickWi-hs1cc]

Given the state of our roads, how about a video on who is responsible for and what happens if you hit a pothole, gravel or other road surface defect or contamination.

[@whitedalton]

You'll be pleased to hear that that's coming up soon.👍 We know potholes is a big concern for bikers as these days we all seem to spend time dodging those craters! We'll be looking at these, other issues on poor roads and what can be done should you be unlucky.

[@NooBiker]

At 19:05 you hit the point that was in my mind: make progress but slow down. It's all great winning in court, but (and I don't want to do you lads out of a business) it's best to avoid the crash and associated hurt in the first place. Expect and anticipate that other drivers will be careless and adjust your speed and position to give you more time to reach and the best possible chance of avoiding the accident. "It was their fault" doesn't make the broken bones or written off bike hurt any less.

[@whitedalton]

We fully agree! Like the saying goes "you can be right, but does it matter if you're dead right?" Avoiding a crash will always be the ultimate win, because we want you to get home safely to your loved ones. But if the unthinkable happens, we want bikers to know that they shouldn't accept that they are in the wrong just because they are filtering. As we say throughout the video, every case turns on its own facts, so we'll do the best we can for any bikers who choose to pick up the phone to us 👍

[@NooBiker]

@@whitedalton absolutely 💯

[@martybartfast]

In Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, its legal to filter BETWEEN two lanes which are travelling in the same direction. If one lane is a turning lane, filtering is not legal. Filtering on the left between the curb and a lane of vehicles is NOT legal. Filtering is legal only if the rider is travelling below 30 kph. I believe we can filter on emergency stopping lanes on major highways ONLY if the traffic is jammed and doing less than 30, and the rider is also doing less than 30kph. I think that covers it for QLD. 🏍🏍🏍🏍🏍🏍 I should also add that very few riders adhere to these rules and even fewer get pulled up for it.

[@wsmv]

Brilliant video and a real eye opener. Total respect to you guys for getting this info out there. I genuinely hope I never need to use you but it's good to know there's a team out there with bikers interests at heart. Stay safe gents 👍

[@TrevorBates-q8z]

Great video guys, plain, simple language, very informative and really sound advice. You knocked it out of the park once again! 👍🏻 24

[@whitedalton]

Much appreciated sir😃

[@sharpe2002]

I was offered the option to filter during motorcycle test! Examiner didn't want to sit in Oxford city traffic so encouraged me to duck through the middle. Passed too 🤙

[@BoatinBikerBird]

Always look forward to seeing your informative videos and emails filled with great advice. Another fabulous one, thanks chaps!

[@RodSmith-m1q]

Another great video, thank you.

[@MrImarcus]

As a biker and filtering addict, I ride with the mindset that if a driver changing lane or diving for a junction knocks me off, it would be MY responsibility. Because we all know they NEVER EVER check for filtering bikes! Good luck 'winning' a claim from a wheelchair or coffin.

[@medler2110]

I agree with your mindset, but if you are unfortunate enough to get knock off your bike, don't admit that?

[@trumpetrider565]

Thank you. Very sound advice and thankfully you are on the bikers side!!

[@jonathanroper9956]

Where is the line drawn between "Overtaking on the inside" and "Filtering", e.g. in the case of dealing with middle lane hoggers driving slower than the speed limit, or outside lane hoggers on 2 lane dual carriageways.

[@whitedalton]

Thanks for leaving us a question. We’ve decided it would be better to try and explain in a little video rather than a bit of text so look out for a mini video in the next week or so 👍

[@jimstartup2729]

Is there a queue? If yes then it's not "undertaking". I think as long as you drive safely most police are not going to get upset.. difference of speed is a factor. Approach with a slow difference of speed and nip past to minimise time in the blind spot. Don't just filter through as if cars are stationary bollards. The guy filtering at 6 minutes is pushing his luck filtering through at that speed (in the wet, and dark too). Just dial it back and be more cautious.

[@jimstartup2729]

Filtering is allowed but you can still be called out for dangerous driving if you take liberties with it.

[@0910davey]

Good advice.

[@chr11sf]

👍

[@medler2110]

I was doing a DCPC course and I had an argument with the instructor about legality of filtering, His argument is that as its not mentioned in the Road Traffic Act or anywhere else in traffic law, its illegal, but did concede its tolerated by the police. My argument was its mentioned in the Highway Code and that is the book we're supposed to use as reference as to what we're allowed to do and not to do as road users. So is it mentioned in road traffic law? What is the legal definition of filtering, is it moving between lanes of traffic going in the same direction, or between lanes of traffic regardless of direction of travel?

[@tobynorman852]

Great video, really helpful! I just wanted to ask about the first video as the biker appears to be moving across hatch markings? It was my understanding that you could not cross them, as with a solid white line. Or does the hatch marking have to be enclosed by the solid white instead if the broken white? Or could the biker claim to not see them as in this case the paint was pretty much non existent…? Thanks

[@whitedalton]

Hi and thanks for the question. As there is no solid white line road users may enter that area if it is necessary and safe to do so. If an area has solid lines then no entry can be made except in an emergency.

[@JestAMinute]

gav tells a great story. i could binge listen to cases and the lessons and experience that can be learned from them. regular videos like this would have this channel sky rocket im sure of it!

[@gordonatkins9135]

Great video guys

[@jonathanmackie4884]

Very interesting video. Thanks for uploading. Not sure you will answer 5 days after posting, but when you say your advice only covers England and Wales, what about Scotland? Same Highway code but different legal system maybe?

[@whitedalton]

Hi and thanks for watching. We still check in, just in case anyone has questions.! The legal system is different in Scotland. We are qualified in England and Wales where the law is the same. We're not qualified in Scotland so on many occasions, (Like if you live in Scotland and have an accident there, as opposed to living in England and on holiday in Scotland) then you will need a solicitor qualified in Scotland.

[@jonathanmackie4884]

@@whitedaltonThanks for the reply. Good to know as I fall in the former category. Hopefully, I will never need such services but shame I will not be calling on you guys in that case.

[@paulmckell7726]

pps self preservation should be in mind when filtering , actually all the time whilst riding

[@KentRoads]

I got rear ended on camera and third party are telling me I couldnt have been injured, and I now owe them £2K lol...

[@megcrust7327]

Thanks, lots of good information to hopefully prevent us requiring you in a professional capacity.

[@ichabod72]

Just found the channel - great vid. Thanks.

[@ToothlessOn2Wheels]

First video is exactly what happened to me the on the 7th of June 2024 driver hasn’t accepted liability so case is still ongoing and I’ve sent in my 360 camera footage and everything so hopefully I get back on the road soon Because I bought the 2024 from brand new only 3months old and already been destroyed by some idiot not carrying out proper signal procedure.

[@chrisraven1229]

Thank you, very interesting. Just a question about taking precautions or as you put it 'ticking boxes'. I know there are correct and not correct ways to use your hazard warning lights but would you recommend using them when filtering?

[@whitedalton]

Thanks for leaving us such a great question. We’ve decided it would be better to try and explain in a little video rather than a bit of text so look out for a mini video in the next week or so 👍

[@user-ie8ob6vd8x]

Is it legal to overtake a vehicle that is turning right? It definitely isn't where I live.

[@vleessjuu]

About the first vid: doesn't the highway code say that you shouldn't filter near junctions? Or was that something I read elsewhere? Not putting blame on the biker, but this does show how hazardous it can be to filter near potential conflict points like junctions. There was also a pedestrian crossing, which is another reason you shouldn't really be overtaking there, IMO.

[@cliveadams7629]

The System used by advanced drivers and motorcyclists says never overtake into a junction. Also Rule 167 of highway code DO NOT overtake where you might come into conflict with other road users. For example approaching or at a road junction on either side of the road Plus several others.

[@gadget02]

In the first clip the rider was in a hatched area which you can enter when necessary what is the solicitors view of this?

[@whitedalton]

Hi and thanks for the question. As there is no solid white line road users may enter that area if it is necessary and safe to do so. If an area has solid lines then no entry can be made except in an emergency.

[@MrMarksdaniels]

First one with DPD was going way too fast.

[@richardpeel6056]

In the first video the road designer must take some responsibility for a dangerous layout, the right turning lane was less that a car width wide, the van driver would have been confused as to know when he expected to pull into this too narrow lane. The motocyclist was riding along the centre hatchings and then in the too narrow right turning lane, was he actually intending to turn right? In a video I've just been watching there were several Audi cars filtering with other cars on British roads, the narrator commented how selfish and dangerous it is to create extra lanes for yourself as you go along, but if filtering is legal surely cars can do it as well when they can just about squeeze through.

[@MrMarksdaniels]

And approaching a junction. Nope

[@paulmckell7726]

Heyup, my mate rang you today ,his solicitor is a charlatan in my view , my buddy was filtering safely and a woman turned in front of him without any indication,anyway my point is that his solicitor gave the other side a video which I've seen (100% woman's fault in my opinion) it's amazing that the other side were given video before other side had submitted a proper statement ,, I know that the woman was claiming that my buddy had hit her up the rear (impossibility) and I believe I'm right in saying that she ,plus passengers had whiplash , anyway I'm sure you will look after my buddy , keep up the good work .ps I have no more to say ,on the grounds that I may incriminate myself ,,your honour 🤐

[@Sexyoldgeraldorivera]

How fo you get whiplash from being hit by a bike? Nonsense from her.

[@shakey2634]

Not everything legal is wise.

[@MrMarksdaniels]

Second one 18mph! Too fast again.

[@howarth1221]

Very disappointed watching this as I was involved in a filtering accident on my motorbike with heavy traffic and no oncoming traffic a driver did a u turn and took me out I was high Viz with main lights. There was a limited view dash cam video of the accident. My insurance company told me to accept 50/50 I did not agree with this my opinion was that the driver was totally to blame. So I asked you for advice and your advice to accept. This seems to go totally against what you are saying on your video. I'm a little confused to say the least.

[@alanbrown5593]

Shame that Scotland, and Northern Ireland are part of the international community.