The Middle Lane Militia
Discussion
Blakewater said:
One of the traits of good driving is ensuring the vehicle you've just overtaken is fully visible in your rearview mirrors before you move in. You also shouldn't encroach on your two second stopping distance before moving out to overtake the next vehicle.
I see plenty of people break both these rules as they seem to try and make a point about keeping left by moving over into small gaps rather than smoothly overtaking a line of vehicles.
BlakewaterI see plenty of people break both these rules as they seem to try and make a point about keeping left by moving over into small gaps rather than smoothly overtaking a line of vehicles.
My instructor taught me that ( dont pull in until fully in RVM ) back in 1964, stsyed with me ever since
When in my works van (Kangoo, 65bhp, 91mph top speed) the sheer lack of acceleration (especially when going uphill) means shorter gaps should be pulled in to as it will still take more than 10 seconds to reach the next overtake. In the Insignia (171 bhp, lots of torque shove) it's a different scenario mind, the scope to stay in lane as in no time you're upon the next vehicle is greatly increased.
kurt535 said:
BertBert said:
kurt535 said:
- you can undertake a car if it isn't making the speed it should for that section of road
Where does it say that in the HWC?Dr Jekyll said:
kurt535 said:
BertBert said:
kurt535 said:
- you can undertake a car if it isn't making the speed it should for that section of road
Where does it say that in the HWC?I'll also have a chat to the examiners at Chelmsford/ Letchworthworth /Enfield/ Chingford/Ipswich and tell them to take back all the approving nods and passes my students got employing such a manner on the A12, A406, etc.....never had a student fail for doing it. Ever.
It’s been a long time since I stopped assuming I had clairvoyant capabilities that gave me insight into the mind-set and intentions of other road users. We’ve all seen the most stupid and reckless actions by otherwise reasonable people and can only assume it was in a momentary lapse of attention that fate intervened to ruin everybody’s day. We are all capable of that; demands from family, satnav haranguing, and adjustment of radio or cd are all pitfalls for the unwary.
Assertions that we lose our driving abilities or skill with advancing years are largely unfounded and apocryphal, early habits remain ingrained and only recede with the onset of mental infirmity.
I now regard other road users, all of them, as potential traps for the unwary and needing wide berths. I don’t assume or expect anything of others and overtake when I want to, returning to lower lanes when I decide it’s proper. The impatient driver following me flashing his lights I ignore – he can overtake if he wants to, it’s up to him. Don’t care if he’s rude or insulting, I’m not influenced by that behaviour.
OP, it doesn’t matter if you are flashed, drive for yourself. If you need age-related convincing take a trial lesson.
On a personal note, I think the term Advanced driving needs re-defining.
Assertions that we lose our driving abilities or skill with advancing years are largely unfounded and apocryphal, early habits remain ingrained and only recede with the onset of mental infirmity.
I now regard other road users, all of them, as potential traps for the unwary and needing wide berths. I don’t assume or expect anything of others and overtake when I want to, returning to lower lanes when I decide it’s proper. The impatient driver following me flashing his lights I ignore – he can overtake if he wants to, it’s up to him. Don’t care if he’s rude or insulting, I’m not influenced by that behaviour.
OP, it doesn’t matter if you are flashed, drive for yourself. If you need age-related convincing take a trial lesson.
On a personal note, I think the term Advanced driving needs re-defining.
Good post.
Driving like this and be prepared has saved my bacon a few times.The other week on a R/About a eldery lady decided to swipe me off by entering the R/About without seeing me in my reasonable sized M.P.V.
I braked hard and gave way.True about distractions in today's busy traffic you got to concentrate 100%.Or at least try to.
Driving like this and be prepared has saved my bacon a few times.The other week on a R/About a eldery lady decided to swipe me off by entering the R/About without seeing me in my reasonable sized M.P.V.
I braked hard and gave way.True about distractions in today's busy traffic you got to concentrate 100%.Or at least try to.
My thinking in situations like the OPs is quite simple. Two questions:
- is the gap too small, and would I need to manoeuvre to fast if I am to maintain a safe stopping distance between the car I've just overtaken and the one in front.
- will I need to hit the brakes if I pull into the gap because I will hit the car in front before someone lets me out. If L3 is clear, I'm not going to put myself in a position where I have to take evasive action just because someone can't be bothered to use L3.
Other than that, pull over.
One thing I would say is that motorway discipline is a 2 way street. Slower drivers should pull over, but those of us who want to go faster need to recognise that people will want to pull out. The number of cocks out there who deliberately block overtaking from the inside lanes is huge. Look at the traffic you are approaching, anticipate what the other guy is going to do. If someone in L2 is closing on a slower car in L2, it's a pretty strong indicator that he's going to want L3 soon.
- is the gap too small, and would I need to manoeuvre to fast if I am to maintain a safe stopping distance between the car I've just overtaken and the one in front.
- will I need to hit the brakes if I pull into the gap because I will hit the car in front before someone lets me out. If L3 is clear, I'm not going to put myself in a position where I have to take evasive action just because someone can't be bothered to use L3.
Other than that, pull over.
One thing I would say is that motorway discipline is a 2 way street. Slower drivers should pull over, but those of us who want to go faster need to recognise that people will want to pull out. The number of cocks out there who deliberately block overtaking from the inside lanes is huge. Look at the traffic you are approaching, anticipate what the other guy is going to do. If someone in L2 is closing on a slower car in L2, it's a pretty strong indicator that he's going to want L3 soon.
If there is a queue of traffic behind me in lane 2 and faster flowing traffic in lane 3 going past,I would move back into lane 1 with a smaller gap than if there was nothing behind me.
If there is nothing behind me in lane 2 or going passed in lane 3 it doesn't matter if I don't pull into a small gap between slower traffic in lane 1.
Surely its all about observation !
If there is nothing behind me in lane 2 or going passed in lane 3 it doesn't matter if I don't pull into a small gap between slower traffic in lane 1.
Surely its all about observation !
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