Driving in the middle lane

[Bill Ryan]

I don't agree either Chris. The Highway Code is clear so lets stick to it.

You should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear. If you are overtaking a number of slower-moving vehicles, you should return to the left-hand lane as soon as you are safely past.

[Chris Lodge]

Hi Mike

Certainly, if driving on a 2 lane carriageway, then lane changing is essential and I am not talking about those who dawdle in the middle lane at 40 mph.

My thought is that if you are travelling at 70 mph in the middle lane, then constantly changing into the slow lane and back is dangerous.

Anyone overtaking you at that speed is breaking the law but can do so in the fast lane.

[Mike Awford]

Hello Chris

Sorry to keep at it, but I am not advocating "constant" lane changing, the Highway Code states "when safe". I have no problem with people staying in the middle lane if they are overtaking and it's obvious that they would have had to move out again to overtake a slower vehicle within the next few minutes, I would stay in the middle lane in those circumstances. Its the ones who are not overtaking who should move back when safe to do so.

Persistent and oblivious middle laners are BAD drivers, it's time for a publicity safety campaign to re-educate them.

[Chris Lodge]

Hi Mike

..so are you saying is that on a busy three lane motorway with many vehicles in the left lane, a middle laner travelling at 70 mph should remain in the middle lane rather than than risking the lives of others by changing into the slow lane every time there is a gap then moving out again to overtake the next slower vehicle?

If so, we are agreed!

[Mike Awford]

Hi Chris

Depends a bit on the size of the gap and that the middle laner is genuinely overtaking, but essentially yes we are agreed. hurrah!
If the traffic in the inside lane is doing 70mph (or whatever the speed limit is) he/she should have no reason to be in the middle lane.
I think we all thought you were championing the idiots who insist on staying in the middle lane when the inside lane is clear and safe to move into.
Another thing occurs to me. I understand your emphasis on keeping to speed limits, but these days many people have satnav devices, which give a more accurate speed measurement than speedometers, which are calibrated on the "safe" side. When your average speedometer is showing 70mph your true speed is something like 66-67mph, the difference will be greater still when the limit is eventually raised to 80mph. So those doggedly sticking to 70mph should perhaps realise that they are not as saintly as they think they are ;-)

[BecomeADI]

Simple rule of the road. Always keep to the left unless road signs or markings indicate otherwise, you are overtaking or turning right.

By hogging the middle lane you are only allowing one overtaking lane, this bulks up traffic on a busy motorway. It also makes other drivers get frustrated causing them to take unnecessary risk, such as undertaking or having to change lane four times just to get round them.

Example 1 (Overtaking a middle lane hogger)
Lane 1-2, then 2-3, then 3-2, then 2-1 (= 4 changes)

Example 2 (Overtaking a GOOD driver in the left lane)
Lane 1-2, then 2-1 (= 2 changes)

By always moving back to the left you're allowing two overtaking lanes which helps the flow on motorways.

Why do you think we have three lanes? So that if a LGV is overtaking another, there is still one lane for other vehicles, thus keeping the flow. You should then move back!

So for those of you who think middle lane hogging minimizes lane changing, think again!

That said, as long as you're gaining on the vehicle to your left, you can stay in the lane you're in because you're effectively overtaking. For example a LGV is in the left lane doing 60mph and you're in the middle lane!

As for all this slow lane and fast lane bullshit. ALL LANES ARE THE SAME SPEED LIMIT!! I'm a driving instructor and instructor trainer and I hear it all the time. What don't people get? THERE ARE DIFFERENT SPEED LIMITS FOR DIFFERENT VEHICLE TYPES!!

One last note; Someone mentioned ABS (Anti-lock braking system). This does not make the car stop quicker! It help's prevent the wheels locking when braking hard in an emergency and allows for some steering. That said, you can stop a vehicle with no ABS without skidding and still be able to steer by using cadence braking!

A little note about tailgating and stopping distances; At 70mph you are travelling at 105ft per second. Your thinking distance is 70ft and your braking distance is 245ft, making your overall stopping distance 315ft. Therefore it would take three seconds to stop, assuming you don't skid or lose control of your vehicle! So if you thought the two second rule was stupid, then you should think about what I have just said (3 SECONDS!!)

This was based on dry conditions!! Spread the word and save lives.

PS. If you like my post, please thank me! ;-)

Join @UKBusinessLabs and follow me @BecomeADI

[Mike Awford]

Agree absolutely. Problem is the problem is not going away, consequently undertaking is becoming more common, so much so the police and highways authority are issuing warnings against undertaking with threats of severe penalties.

WHY DON'T THEY ISSUE THE SAME WARNINGS TO THE MIDDLE LANE DRIVERS WHO CAUSE IT?

Suggest we all do what I did and email 'road.safety@dft.gsi.gov.uk'. You'll get a load of evasive waffle answers and no promises to do anything constructive, but maybe more emails may make them think about doing something?

Better still, anyone know how to start an e-petition?

Mike Awford

[Mark]

Weren't they thinking of legalising undertaking?

Personally, I think the nation's overall driving standards have nose-dived over the last twenty years. Who is to blame for it?

[Paul Norman]

I have just returned from a longish road trip down to Worcester.

The driving standards are sufficiently poor for me to say that I am amazed there are not big, fatal pile ups, every day. And when they are, it is not weather conditions, speed limits, or car safety, but poor driving, that is to blame.

Huge numbers of people fail to leave a safe stopping distance. Which means if something does go wrong, lots of cars could be involved.

Here is just one from yesterday. A blue Corsa, 12 years old, and looking rather sick, lumbered out onto the two land section of the North bound A1, just before Scotch Corner. No problem, at all, really. The traffic approaching was a bunch of about 8 cars, all travelling at about 60 - 70 mph, using both lanes. The slow Corsa would have caused only a minor inconvenience, really no problem at all. Then it pulled into the over taking lane, where it proceeded at about 40 mph. I promise you.

The resulting confusion was unbelievable. Lots of emergency braking. Some confusion as to whether to pass on the near side or not - no one did.

Eventually a big Volvo got up close and personal with some main beam, and the Corsa pulled in.

Now, the police would be entirely uninterested in this VERY dangerous driving by the Corsa.

By the way, I do not have a big Volvo! But admit to being thankful for their more aggressive stance!

[AdamW]

Originally Posted by Paul Norman

Eventually a big Volvo got up close and personal with some main beam, and the Corsa pulled in.

Now, the police would be entirely uninterested in this VERY dangerous driving by the Corsa.

More likely would have been interested in the Volvo!

[Mark]

Using your horn or lights 'as a form of rebuke' is illegal. Balls to that I say - let 'em have it! Short of an accident, how else will they know they're driving like a doofus?

[Ray Stewart]

I drove 300 miles home from Cornwall today and the driving standards we witnessed were really low. In the car were my two teenagers (who co-incidentally both take their driving test this coming week) were entertained the whole way home by pointing out every example of poor driving they spotted. Samples varied from undertaking, tailgating, seriously dangerous overtaking in cornish lanes to a porsche almost missing her junction whilst in lane 3 and suddenly, without any warning or indication, lurching across 3 lanes of a busy motorway to just make the hatchings before the sliproad finished. We saw several accidents, the worst of which was a 38 ton lorry hitting the back of another, smaller, lorry because he hadn't noticed everyone had stopped. Even the driving in the services car parks was pathetic with pedestrians being scattered twice by motorists apparently more interested in beating others to a space than missing dogs, children, pensioners, a wheelchair user and ME.

What the hell is getting into people these days?

I have never forgotten the lesson I learnt on a police advanced driving course (no I am not, nor ever have been, a policeman - they used to be offered to anyone interested in becoming a better driver). You should always keep as far left as possible on a dual carriageway/motorway. If you pull out to overtake, stay in that new lane until you can pull back to the left and stay there for more than a slow count to 10. If you have to pull out again before you get to 10 then you pulled in too early. Once you get the hang of it the drive gets much smoother for you and your passengers

[pete]

I lived in Stavanger (Norway) for many years, they have a 15km stretch of motorway, that's it, the rest of the roads are .......... different

I'm still getting used to the amount of traffic on the UK roads.

I do notice less speeding on the motorways

My wife likes the middle lane, I don't say anything

[Paul Norman]

An interesting development in UK is the arrival of the 20 mph speed limit. I dare you to try to keep to it. Seriously.

Expect serious amounts of aggression, overtaking, beeping, etc. Apart from outside schools during school hours, I struggle to see why this is necessary, or even safer.

[pete]

Good morning Paul

The toon must be quieter now ginge has departed...lol

[Paul Norman]

Originally Posted by pete

Good morning Paul

The toon must be quieter now ginge has departed...lol

We expect property prices to recover slightly during his absence. Neighbourhood quality is key!

And Good morning!

[pete]

That's great news, he should go away more often

[RentalTablets]

more often than not the middle lane is doing the speed limit, right lane is going 20-30 over the limit and this looks slow in comparison. Slow lane is full on work vehicles that are limited to 60mph, people dropping off down a slip lane and therefore slowing their speeds and of course slow people in general.

I do like blasting it on occasions but I find that 50-60 is the best speed for fuel efficiency and 70 gets about the same mpg as 40.