Middle Lane Drivers, Do they Ever Notice?
Discussion
Last year I picked up V2 from Manchester and was driving at 70mph in Lane 1. Alongside me in Lane 3 of 4, was a woman in a white Mazda CX3 doing the same speed. Cars were undertaking her, flashing her, but she steadfastly remained glued to Lane 3 oblivious to the bunching, braking, flashing and anger she was creating.
We travelled alongside each other for 60 miles before I turned off for Brumingham.
We travelled alongside each other for 60 miles before I turned off for Brumingham.
Griffith4ever said:
Well, the mystery is over! I've just seen a facebook post from Wiltshire police, sending a motorway middle lane hogger on a drivers awareness course and the comments are "enlightening" as all the actual MLMs are speaking up.
Their excuses consistently boil down to Lane 1 being "unsafe"
1) Lane 1 is not "safe" due to lorry indentations - one driver claims he can't keep the car in a straight line....
2) Lane 1 is not safe due to pot holes.....
3) Lane 1 is not safe due to smart motorways
4) One woman declared she sits in Lane 2 as it gives her the widest view of the road ahead (like motorways are not already bloody wide enough!) and she can be better prepared if any animals jump out from the bushes......
They are ALL claiming its "safer" (with a handful of old blokes claiming they are protecting their tyres and suspension).
Oh , almost forgot one gem, "I can't pull out to overtake into lane 3 as everying is zooming past at 80-90"
So in response to the OP, yes, they do notice, they are just convinced they are in the right.
I've heard this type of nonsense before. I would feel safer driving at 95mph on the motorway asI used to for years. Being the quickest on the motorway feels much safer to me than being in a huddle of vehicles all at the same speed. However, I don't do this because I don't want the points. Therefore, you convict enough drivers for MLH and word will soon get around and these muppets will be forced to change their driving habits. We can but hope!Their excuses consistently boil down to Lane 1 being "unsafe"
1) Lane 1 is not "safe" due to lorry indentations - one driver claims he can't keep the car in a straight line....
2) Lane 1 is not safe due to pot holes.....
3) Lane 1 is not safe due to smart motorways
4) One woman declared she sits in Lane 2 as it gives her the widest view of the road ahead (like motorways are not already bloody wide enough!) and she can be better prepared if any animals jump out from the bushes......
They are ALL claiming its "safer" (with a handful of old blokes claiming they are protecting their tyres and suspension).
Oh , almost forgot one gem, "I can't pull out to overtake into lane 3 as everying is zooming past at 80-90"
So in response to the OP, yes, they do notice, they are just convinced they are in the right.
Edited by Griffith4ever on Monday 6th May 14:16
M40 Saturday late afternoon. At times there were hundreds of metres of basically empty motorway bar me and either a single car sat in the middle lane or the right hand side lane doing 70mph or much less. Nothing seems to faze them to move over to the other empty lanes.
On a positive note, a 918 joined the M40 around Oxford, never seen one on the road and boy is that thing wide.
On a positive note, a 918 joined the M40 around Oxford, never seen one on the road and boy is that thing wide.
A130 to southend to chelmsford in Essex is like this North bound to a12 junction much worse than southbound ...l1 has about 6 or 7 miles before it snakes of as a slip to the a12 yet most get in l2 straight after joining the road.
Occasionally as catch up with them at my indicated 77 cruise control I pull over behind them and flash the s
t out of them...the little town runabouts often pull over to l1 (sole then pull back to l2 immediately most get the message) but most suvs or saloons simply ignore.
I do this very occasionally mostly I just undertake them. They look at you but never then move to l1.
Often people also sit in l3 with an empty l2 as well, but I suspect that's mostly folk from South Essex who are a bit special.
L1 is usually empty apart from the odd car or 2.
Occasionally as catch up with them at my indicated 77 cruise control I pull over behind them and flash the s
t out of them...the little town runabouts often pull over to l1 (sole then pull back to l2 immediately most get the message) but most suvs or saloons simply ignore.I do this very occasionally mostly I just undertake them. They look at you but never then move to l1.
Often people also sit in l3 with an empty l2 as well, but I suspect that's mostly folk from South Essex who are a bit special.
L1 is usually empty apart from the odd car or 2.
8IKERDAVE said:
Griffith4ever said:
Well, the mystery is over! I've just seen a facebook post from Wiltshire police, sending a motorway middle lane hogger on a drivers awareness course and the comments are "enlightening" as all the actual MLMs are speaking up.
Their excuses consistently boil down to Lane 1 being "unsafe"
1) Lane 1 is not "safe" due to lorry indentations - one driver claims he can't keep the car in a straight line....
2) Lane 1 is not safe due to pot holes.....
3) Lane 1 is not safe due to smart motorways
4) One woman declared she sits in Lane 2 as it gives her the widest view of the road ahead (like motorways are not already bloody wide enough!) and she can be better prepared if any animals jump out from the bushes......
They are ALL claiming its "safer" (with a handful of old blokes claiming they are protecting their tyres and suspension).
Oh , almost forgot one gem, "I can't pull out to overtake into lane 3 as everying is zooming past at 80-90"
So in response to the OP, yes, they do notice, they are just convinced they are in the right.
I've heard this type of nonsense before. I would feel safer driving at 95mph on the motorway asI used to for years. Being the quickest on the motorway feels much safer to me than being in a huddle of vehicles all at the same speed. However, I don't do this because I don't want the points. Therefore, you convict enough drivers for MLH and word will soon get around and these muppets will be forced to change their driving habits. We can but hope!Their excuses consistently boil down to Lane 1 being "unsafe"
1) Lane 1 is not "safe" due to lorry indentations - one driver claims he can't keep the car in a straight line....
2) Lane 1 is not safe due to pot holes.....
3) Lane 1 is not safe due to smart motorways
4) One woman declared she sits in Lane 2 as it gives her the widest view of the road ahead (like motorways are not already bloody wide enough!) and she can be better prepared if any animals jump out from the bushes......
They are ALL claiming its "safer" (with a handful of old blokes claiming they are protecting their tyres and suspension).
Oh , almost forgot one gem, "I can't pull out to overtake into lane 3 as everying is zooming past at 80-90"
So in response to the OP, yes, they do notice, they are just convinced they are in the right.
Edited by Griffith4ever on Monday 6th May 14:16
theplayingmantis said:
A130 to southend to chelmsford in Essex is like this North bound to a12 junction much worse than southbound ...l1 has about 6 or 7 miles before it snakes of as a slip to the a12 yet most get in l2 straight after joining the road.
Occasionally as catch up with them at my indicated 77 cruise control I pull over behind them and flash the st out of them...the little town runabouts often pull over to l1 (sole then pull back to l2 immediately most get the message) but most suvs or saloons simply ignore.
I do this very occasionally mostly I just undertake them. They look at you but never then move to l1.
Often people also sit in l3 with an empty l2 as well, but I suspect that's mostly folk from South Essex who are a bit special.
L1 is usually empty apart from the odd car or 2.
As a local, i'm convinced most of these people haven't even noticed that L1 isn't the hard shoulder any more. Still it's handy to have a spare lane as a buffer when overtaking on the left while those people are preparing to turn right in 5 miles time at the A12 junction.Occasionally as catch up with them at my indicated 77 cruise control I pull over behind them and flash the s
t out of them...the little town runabouts often pull over to l1 (sole then pull back to l2 immediately most get the message) but most suvs or saloons simply ignore.I do this very occasionally mostly I just undertake them. They look at you but never then move to l1.
Often people also sit in l3 with an empty l2 as well, but I suspect that's mostly folk from South Essex who are a bit special.
L1 is usually empty apart from the odd car or 2.
drmotorsport said:
theplayingmantis said:
A130 to southend to chelmsford in Essex is like this North bound to a12 junction much worse than southbound ...l1 has about 6 or 7 miles before it snakes of as a slip to the a12 yet most get in l2 straight after joining the road.
Occasionally as catch up with them at my indicated 77 cruise control I pull over behind them and flash the st out of them...the little town runabouts often pull over to l1 (sole then pull back to l2 immediately most get the message) but most suvs or saloons simply ignore.
I do this very occasionally mostly I just undertake them. They look at you but never then move to l1.
Often people also sit in l3 with an empty l2 as well, but I suspect that's mostly folk from South Essex who are a bit special.
L1 is usually empty apart from the odd car or 2.
As a local, i'm convinced most of these people haven't even noticed that L1 isn't the hard shoulder any more. Still it's handy to have a spare lane as a buffer when overtaking on the left while those people are preparing to turn right in 5 miles time at the A12 junction.Occasionally as catch up with them at my indicated 77 cruise control I pull over behind them and flash the s
t out of them...the little town runabouts often pull over to l1 (sole then pull back to l2 immediately most get the message) but most suvs or saloons simply ignore.I do this very occasionally mostly I just undertake them. They look at you but never then move to l1.
Often people also sit in l3 with an empty l2 as well, but I suspect that's mostly folk from South Essex who are a bit special.
L1 is usually empty apart from the odd car or 2.
Your 2nd comment infers you driving in l2 and undertaking them with an empty l1 as a buffer...thus are equally guilty...unless I misread!!
vikingaero said:
Last year I picked up V2 from Manchester and was driving at 70mph in Lane 1. Alongside me in Lane 3 of 4, was a woman in a white Mazda CX3 doing the same speed. Cars were undertaking her, flashing her, but she steadfastly remained glued to Lane 3 oblivious to the bunching, braking, flashing and anger she was creating.
We travelled alongside each other for 60 miles before I turned off for Brumingham.
IMHO careless driving, has absolutley NO idea of what is going on arounf them, causign more danger to road users than speeders. but then a speeding car is easy money!!We travelled alongside each other for 60 miles before I turned off for Brumingham.
8IKERDAVE said:
II would feel safer driving at 95mph on the motorway asI used to for years. Being the quickest on the motorway feels much safer to me than being in a huddle of vehicles all at the same speed. However, I don't do this because I don't want the points. Therefore, you convict enough drivers for MLH and word will soon get around and these muppets will be forced to change their driving habits. We can but hope!
Agreed at these speeds being fully aware of what cars are around you and what they are doing, running at 70 in the middle of s that have no idea what to do on a motorway watching the car in front and emergency brake every minute is more dangerous.Totally agree on this section of the 130 between Runwell and Chelmsford, infuriating road.
I often find myself in a completely empty L1 on cruise @ 70 catching up to someone in L2 going about 65.
I go L1 > L2 > L3, start to pass them, then they chuffing well speed up and match my speed, hanging me out to dry in L3.
And yes approx 10 years ago, what is now L1 was a sort-of hard shoulder.
I often find myself in a completely empty L1 on cruise @ 70 catching up to someone in L2 going about 65.
I go L1 > L2 > L3, start to pass them, then they chuffing well speed up and match my speed, hanging me out to dry in L3.
And yes approx 10 years ago, what is now L1 was a sort-of hard shoulder.
budgie smuggler said:
Totally agree on this section of the 130 between Runwell and Chelmsford, infuriating road.
I often find myself in a completely empty L1 on cruise @ 70 catching up to someone in L2 going about 65.
I go L1 > L2 > L3, start to pass them, then they chuffing well speed up and match my speed, hanging me out to dry in L3.
And yes approx 10 years ago, what is now L1 was a sort-of hard shoulder.
I just slot into lane 1 after the first few hundred yards of entering at the Chelmsford end, at circa 75...then just sit there until it turns into the slip road for SWF, far less stressful than dealing with the plonkers in lane 2 and 3 doing 60-70 in their chosen lane. Moving out and around seems to press their accelerate button, and I've seen far too many cops on the gantries to get dragged into that silly game.I often find myself in a completely empty L1 on cruise @ 70 catching up to someone in L2 going about 65.
I go L1 > L2 > L3, start to pass them, then they chuffing well speed up and match my speed, hanging me out to dry in L3.
And yes approx 10 years ago, what is now L1 was a sort-of hard shoulder.
theplayingmantis said:
Why not undertake both of you? Maybe trials does but wasn't sure per police comment.
The only gantries are farm roads and footpaths though aren't they?
I've never seen plod but admittedly I'm probably on that road no more than twice a month and weekend only.
Couldn't name the bridge but one of them is deffo for motor vehicles, it's closer to the SWF turn off, as the road crests the hill.The only gantries are farm roads and footpaths though aren't they?
I've never seen plod but admittedly I'm probably on that road no more than twice a month and weekend only.
I guess I am under-taking, but rarely have to move out of L1 as most of the dawdlers are in L2 doing 60/65.
It seems even the AA are complaining about potholes in the motorways, particularly lane 1.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-6894...
I'm sure some people are in lane 2 to avoid trashing their cars at speed due to potholes or tramlining in the grooves worn in the road by heavier vehicles.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-6894...
I'm sure some people are in lane 2 to avoid trashing their cars at speed due to potholes or tramlining in the grooves worn in the road by heavier vehicles.
FMOB said:
It seems even the AA are complaining about potholes in the motorways, particularly lane 1.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-6894...
I'm sure some people are in lane 2 to avoid trashing their cars at speed due to potholes or tramlining in the grooves worn in the road by heavier vehicles.
I'm not. I'm sure they are just the same clueless morons!https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-6894...
I'm sure some people are in lane 2 to avoid trashing their cars at speed due to potholes or tramlining in the grooves worn in the road by heavier vehicles.
Common Porpoise said:
I can't remember if it was on here that i read about the "loop the moron" game.
You complete an overtake of a middle lane moron in the outside lane then move to the middle (or third) lane and then to the inside lane or the lane inside your target car before slowing until they overtake you. You then accelerate to re overtake in the correct fashion and repeat as above. managed five loops once, I think northbound on the M3.
My record is 6 orbits. They noticed after the 3rd but kept chugging away in lane 2 at 60mph.You complete an overtake of a middle lane moron in the outside lane then move to the middle (or third) lane and then to the inside lane or the lane inside your target car before slowing until they overtake you. You then accelerate to re overtake in the correct fashion and repeat as above. managed five loops once, I think northbound on the M3.
As I completed orbits 4, 5 & 6 they got steadily angrier, screaming, jumping up and down, gesticulating, etc but never pulled into lane 1 or changed their speed.
Unfortunately we got to the point where I had to turn off- I've always wondered how many more orbits I could achieve depending on their journey & other traffic.
theplayingmantis said:
Why not undertake both of you? Maybe trials does but wasn't sure per police comment.
Legally I've never been sure if that actually is undertaking or not, as you haven't moved left to pass them - you've merely continued unimpeded in an empty lane. 
You'd hope any police seeing it would have the sense to pull the nugget in the middle lane in that scenario but you never know.But more than that possibility above, I just get nervous that they will suddenly wake up and move from L2 back to L1 without checking their blind spot.
budgie smuggler said:
Legally I've never been sure if that actually is undertaking or not, as you haven't moved left to pass them - you've merely continued unimpeded in an empty lane. You'd hope any police seeing it would have the sense to pull the nugget in the middle lane in that scenario but you never know.
But more than that possibility above, I just get nervous that they will suddenly wake up and move from L2 back to L1 without checking their blind spot.
It's not undertaking in the legal sense your maintaining speed in your empty, correct lane. Surely. You'd hope any police seeing it would have the sense to pull the nugget in the middle lane in that scenario but you never know.But more than that possibility above, I just get nervous that they will suddenly wake up and move from L2 back to L1 without checking their blind spot.
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