Something has just got to be done.
Discussion
It is getting beyond a joke.
I had to go to work this morning, a simple little commute from Belper to our Burton showroom, not far, A38 most of the way.
Anyway, I leave Belper at 8.30am, get out of town, through Kilburn, all straightforward and onto the A38. As I come off the slip road and start to cruise in lane 1, there is nothing behind me at all, up ahead is a Transit cruising in lane 2. Why it wasnt in lane 1 is beyond me, its not like he's moved over for the slip road, he's too far ahead for that. Anyway, I gain on him, check mirrors, signal right, move over to lane 2, and await him to move to lane 1. Nothing. Give him a flash, he moves to lane 1, I pass, return to lane 1, he returns to lane 2. WTF?
Anyway, I carry on in lane 1, and up ahead is a new Iveco on trade plates, cruising in lane 2, I undertake. A bit further on I come across a Laguna estate cruising in lane 2, I undertake. As I look down the hill, the dual carriageway in clear view ahead of me, there are about half a dozen vehicles, all well spaced out, cruising, all of them in lane 2, except for one car a fair way ahead of me in lane 1, which is not being passed by anybody. Everyone should have been in lane 1. I cruise past the 1st few cars whilst staying in lane 1, trying to do the right thing and expecting them to move over if I tagged along behind them in lane 2 is just too much to hope for. Anyway, I catch up with the sole car in lane 1, I mirror, signal and move over to lane 2, way ahead of the lane 2 cruiser, who hasnt been inconvenienced in the slightest by an undertaker and cutter inner, there is just too much clear distance. I pass the car in lane 1, and stay in lane 2, directly ahead of me are the few other cars still cruising in lane 2, lane 1 is empty. I would have thought they may have moved over after having passed the sole car in lane 1, they didnt. Ho hum, I undertake the lot of them by just cruising in lane 1, all at below the limit, a steady cruise. There is no hard & fast driving going on here. All these folks are just brain dead and in the wrong lane for their steady cruise.
We are now approaching a large roundabout, I am in lane 1 and it is clear ahead. There are however several cars cruising and approaching the roundabout in lane 2. I pass them all as we come to the roundabout for no other reason than I happen to be in lane 1, I then proceed straight ahead. As I carry on in lane 1, I check my mirror to see where they go, all of them have also gone straight ahead in lane 2. Just what is wrong with lane 1? is it quarantined? Now as I proceed past the Uni' and onto Markeaton, I come across about a dozen other cars on the A38, all of them cruising in lane 2. I just stay where I am in lane 1, passing them all, but I have picked up a MINI behind me, who just follows me move for move, no worries. We get to another big roundabout, I stay in lane 1, MINI moves alongside in lane 2, I glance over, he gives me the coffee grinds and a grin. Not aimed at me, he was clearly identifying and commiserating with the situation on the road back there, clearly he was saying "Wankers, all of 'em mate" regarding the lane 2 blockers/cruisers.
OK, a pretty normal rant about an everyday occurence on the roads, we get them on PH all the time. But my main point is this. I have just been on a short stretch of dual carriageway, and have come across maybe three dozen motorists, and except for one car, all of them were in the wrong. Wrong lane, wrong positioning, wrong road craft, wrong lane discipline, just plain wrong everything (OK, I was also doing something wrong, in that I just casually undertook them all, with no issues whatsoever, or risk, they were all just cruising and werent about to do anything as correct as move to lane 1).
It would appear that it is not just a large number of folks who are just plain wrong in what they do with regard to lane discipline, its not even accurate to say it is now the vast majority of them, it is damn near every single one of them.
We have very probably the worlds worst dual carriageway or motorway lane disciplne, we are the home of the middle lane moron, or the lane 2/3 rolling road block, meanwhile, all lanes on the nearside go completely unused.
Something has got to be done, but what?
I reckon the dept of transport needs to start running some ads in the National press, make some of those public info TV adverts, telling folks to keep left unless overtaking. Make use of any info gantrys, telling folks to keep left.
It would appear that no one out there has got any idea at all that lane 1 should be their default position. My short drive this morning may well have been along a stretch of quiet French autoroute, such was the extent of the lane role reversal.
Pitifull.
I had to go to work this morning, a simple little commute from Belper to our Burton showroom, not far, A38 most of the way.
Anyway, I leave Belper at 8.30am, get out of town, through Kilburn, all straightforward and onto the A38. As I come off the slip road and start to cruise in lane 1, there is nothing behind me at all, up ahead is a Transit cruising in lane 2. Why it wasnt in lane 1 is beyond me, its not like he's moved over for the slip road, he's too far ahead for that. Anyway, I gain on him, check mirrors, signal right, move over to lane 2, and await him to move to lane 1. Nothing. Give him a flash, he moves to lane 1, I pass, return to lane 1, he returns to lane 2. WTF?
Anyway, I carry on in lane 1, and up ahead is a new Iveco on trade plates, cruising in lane 2, I undertake. A bit further on I come across a Laguna estate cruising in lane 2, I undertake. As I look down the hill, the dual carriageway in clear view ahead of me, there are about half a dozen vehicles, all well spaced out, cruising, all of them in lane 2, except for one car a fair way ahead of me in lane 1, which is not being passed by anybody. Everyone should have been in lane 1. I cruise past the 1st few cars whilst staying in lane 1, trying to do the right thing and expecting them to move over if I tagged along behind them in lane 2 is just too much to hope for. Anyway, I catch up with the sole car in lane 1, I mirror, signal and move over to lane 2, way ahead of the lane 2 cruiser, who hasnt been inconvenienced in the slightest by an undertaker and cutter inner, there is just too much clear distance. I pass the car in lane 1, and stay in lane 2, directly ahead of me are the few other cars still cruising in lane 2, lane 1 is empty. I would have thought they may have moved over after having passed the sole car in lane 1, they didnt. Ho hum, I undertake the lot of them by just cruising in lane 1, all at below the limit, a steady cruise. There is no hard & fast driving going on here. All these folks are just brain dead and in the wrong lane for their steady cruise.
We are now approaching a large roundabout, I am in lane 1 and it is clear ahead. There are however several cars cruising and approaching the roundabout in lane 2. I pass them all as we come to the roundabout for no other reason than I happen to be in lane 1, I then proceed straight ahead. As I carry on in lane 1, I check my mirror to see where they go, all of them have also gone straight ahead in lane 2. Just what is wrong with lane 1? is it quarantined? Now as I proceed past the Uni' and onto Markeaton, I come across about a dozen other cars on the A38, all of them cruising in lane 2. I just stay where I am in lane 1, passing them all, but I have picked up a MINI behind me, who just follows me move for move, no worries. We get to another big roundabout, I stay in lane 1, MINI moves alongside in lane 2, I glance over, he gives me the coffee grinds and a grin. Not aimed at me, he was clearly identifying and commiserating with the situation on the road back there, clearly he was saying "Wankers, all of 'em mate" regarding the lane 2 blockers/cruisers.
OK, a pretty normal rant about an everyday occurence on the roads, we get them on PH all the time. But my main point is this. I have just been on a short stretch of dual carriageway, and have come across maybe three dozen motorists, and except for one car, all of them were in the wrong. Wrong lane, wrong positioning, wrong road craft, wrong lane discipline, just plain wrong everything (OK, I was also doing something wrong, in that I just casually undertook them all, with no issues whatsoever, or risk, they were all just cruising and werent about to do anything as correct as move to lane 1).
It would appear that it is not just a large number of folks who are just plain wrong in what they do with regard to lane discipline, its not even accurate to say it is now the vast majority of them, it is damn near every single one of them.
We have very probably the worlds worst dual carriageway or motorway lane disciplne, we are the home of the middle lane moron, or the lane 2/3 rolling road block, meanwhile, all lanes on the nearside go completely unused.
Something has got to be done, but what?
I reckon the dept of transport needs to start running some ads in the National press, make some of those public info TV adverts, telling folks to keep left unless overtaking. Make use of any info gantrys, telling folks to keep left.
It would appear that no one out there has got any idea at all that lane 1 should be their default position. My short drive this morning may well have been along a stretch of quiet French autoroute, such was the extent of the lane role reversal.
Pitifull.
Edited by Balmoral Green on Saturday 4th November 20:41
I absolutely agree with you - some of the options you mentioned there should at least be tried.
I find it most frustrating when driving to work during the week in the rush hour. I often find myself driving along in lane 1 past a huge queue of cars in lane 2. I usually think that I will find that lane 1 is closing at some point due to roadworks for example, but more often than not, it's not the case at all - there is a queue in lane 2 simply because the majority of people are sitting in it.
Why would you queue in lane 2 when you could be cruising along in lane 1 - it makes no sense to me at all.
J
I find it most frustrating when driving to work during the week in the rush hour. I often find myself driving along in lane 1 past a huge queue of cars in lane 2. I usually think that I will find that lane 1 is closing at some point due to roadworks for example, but more often than not, it's not the case at all - there is a queue in lane 2 simply because the majority of people are sitting in it.
Why would you queue in lane 2 when you could be cruising along in lane 1 - it makes no sense to me at all.
J
BG, couldn't agree more.
As you say use of TV / national media / matrix signs would seem the obvious solution.
However, and call my cynical if you like, there is no profit to be made, and most people are now brainwashed to the tune of the scamera partnerships that, provided you are under the speed limit nothing else matters.
It is a symptom of the level of driving proficiency in the country at the moment. Unfortunately the problem runs a hell of a lot deeper and sad to say I doubt anything will happen short of a complete shake-up of driving standards, education, and enforcement in this country...
Edited: because I used completely wrong words as I wasan't concentrating
As you say use of TV / national media / matrix signs would seem the obvious solution.
However, and call my cynical if you like, there is no profit to be made, and most people are now brainwashed to the tune of the scamera partnerships that, provided you are under the speed limit nothing else matters.
It is a symptom of the level of driving proficiency in the country at the moment. Unfortunately the problem runs a hell of a lot deeper and sad to say I doubt anything will happen short of a complete shake-up of driving standards, education, and enforcement in this country...
Edited: because I used completely wrong words as I wasan't concentrating
Edited by nicecupoftea on Saturday 4th November 15:54
vonhosen said:
frazer guest said:
BAL GREEN, you seem to have forgoten that its speed that is dangerous and kills, not un-observant and careless driving.
We have speed limits, because of where the overall skill levels are.
Yes, that is the reasoning. Unfortunately, it does not work as intended. It has the reverse effect.
In a culture with an obsession about speed ("Speed Kills", do over 100 and get banned, 6,000 fixed cameras and fleets of mobile vans, SPECS, experiments with remote-controlling speed, prospect of 24/7 speed monitoring by satellite, BRAKE, ROADPEACE, Dunwoody, Brunstrom, etc., etc.), is it any surprise that drivers have come to believe that, so long as they are under the speed limit, everything will be fine?
When you take away from people the responsibility for their own actions, they behave less responsibly.
vonhosen said:
We have speed limits, because of where the overall skill levels are.
Having experienced what I have this morning, there is just no arguing with that VH. The situation is just pitifull, a lose/lose situation for all. If those who want to just cruise steadily could at least use the correct lane, then those who want to make progress could do so with impunity, a win/win situation. Edited by Balmoral Green on Saturday 4th November 15:46
I wish I could find some of these clowns around, never seems to happen to me when I'm driving. I sometimes wish it would so I could be an 'ornery bastard and flash at them, then explain the facts of life after we have pulled over and fisticuffed it out for a while, to prove who is really in the right.
hey warren funny u should post this, as i was on the way to denby last sunday for the meet! i made my way down the A610 past IKEA to the nsl where there were 5 cars in lane 2 and nobody in lane 1, i stuck at 58mph (GPS) in the 70 and under-took these idiots as they were only doing 50mph max! i did this safely, then after i passed them a BMW pulled out into lane 1 and next thing i know im sh*tting myself coz it was an unmarked 
car, he pulled me over and gave me a 
warning that under-taking is not only dangerous but a punishable offence, i did comment that i checked my mirrors, signaled, made good observations eg i could recite what cars i passed, and i also told him that i though that traveling at atleast 20mph below the speed limit was an offence as it was dangerous. he told me to be more patient in future, and not be in so much of a rush. As i said i didnt even break the limit because that is where i got caught speeding before my test back in feb so on 3pts and if i get 3more im on a retake!! what a TO55ER!!! 
car, he pulled me over and gave me a warning that under-taking is not only dangerous but a punishable offence, i did comment that i checked my mirrors, signaled, made good observations eg i could recite what cars i passed, and i also told him that i though that traveling at atleast 20mph below the speed limit was an offence as it was dangerous. he told me to be more patient in future, and not be in so much of a rush. As i said i didnt even break the limit because that is where i got caught speeding before my test back in feb so on 3pts and if i get 3more im on a retake!! what a TO55ER!!! 
MOVE TO LANE 1 U C*NTS!!!!!!!!!! 
scissorhands83 said:
hey warren funny u should post this, as i was on the way to denby last sunday for the meet! i made my way down the A610 past IKEA to the nsl where there were 5 cars in lane 2 and nobody in lane 1, i stuck at 58mph (GPS) in the 70 and under-took these idiots as they were only doing 50mph max! i did this safely, then after i passed them a BMW pulled out into lane 1 and next thing i know im sh*tting myself coz it was an unmarked car, he pulled me over and gave me a warning that under-taking is not only dangerous but a punishable offence, i did comment that i checked my mirrors, signaled, made good observations eg i could recite what cars i passed, and i also told him that i though that traveling at atleast 20mph below the speed limit was an offence as it was dangerous. he told me to be more patient in future, and not be in so much of a rush. As i said i didnt even break the limit because that is where i got caught speeding before my test back in feb so on 3pts and if i get 3more im on a retake!! what a TO55ER!!!
car, he pulled me over and gave me a warning that under-taking is not only dangerous but a punishable offence, i did comment that i checked my mirrors, signaled, made good observations eg i could recite what cars i passed, and i also told him that i though that traveling at atleast 20mph below the speed limit was an offence as it was dangerous. he told me to be more patient in future, and not be in so much of a rush. As i said i didnt even break the limit because that is where i got caught speeding before my test back in feb so on 3pts and if i get 3more im on a retake!! what a TO55ER!!! There goes my theory of putting plod back on the roads.
medicineman said:
Is an undertake an undertake if you contiune along lane one? I would have said it is an active process, i.e. moving from lane two to lane one and then proceding past. I believe you are allowed to move past slower moving traffic on your right?
You are.
There is no specific rule against undertaking.
There are rules regarding DWDCA and DD, and these can, and sometimes ought to, be invoked with respect to an undertake.
The ever-increasing control spreading virus-like on our roads is taking away driver's ability to think for themselves (particularly in those susceptible to simplistic suggestion).
By control, I mean in addition to the obvious (speed cameras) but also mini roundabouts where there used to be a perfectly adequate T junction, additional pedestraian lights, where previously the lazy sods either had to wait to cross or walk a few yards to another crossing, and sign and white paint infestation. Under Labour, no one is allowed to think for themselves and we are witnessing the consequences.
By control, I mean in addition to the obvious (speed cameras) but also mini roundabouts where there used to be a perfectly adequate T junction, additional pedestraian lights, where previously the lazy sods either had to wait to cross or walk a few yards to another crossing, and sign and white paint infestation. Under Labour, no one is allowed to think for themselves and we are witnessing the consequences.
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