Why did he do that?

[OSGrooves]

I was travelling along the M40 on Friday evening on an empty motorway. As I was passing the Oxford services a car pulls onto the motorway (Jag S-Type since you ask). I pull out and overtake the car as I am travelling faster than he is.

I left a considerable distance before pulling in (there was nothing about so I had no reason to pull in or cut him up). At the same time as I pull into lane 1, he pulls into lane 2.

We both carry on at the same speeds, me still pulling away from him.

I'm in lane 1 and he is in lane 2.

I am just bemused at why he pulled into lane 2, just to sit there.

(A good old middle lane hogs post might revoke some passion)

[Hooli]

because he has the brain of a frozen cowpat.

[Retard]

Tramlines? I'm not familiar with the road there so it's just a guess.

[Nurburgsingh]

Was the road covered in Grit? were you possibly pebbledashing the front of his mota'

[A - W]

Playing devils advocate here but, why does it matter?

[OSGrooves]

It probably wasn't grit on the road. I am sure they had gritted but it wasn't that bad.

Tramlines is the only explanation I could think of.

It doesn't matter. I was just trying to understand why. I might be doing the driver an injustice, but I suspect they wouldn't have pulled into lane 1 if 2 or 3 cars came up behind them.

[RT106]

On my regular commute (the M5 in Gloucestershire) the tramlines in the inside lane are awful, so I don't usually stray further left than Lane 2 where they're bad. Of course, if someone wants to get past I'll move over...

Similarly, in the (very) wet, Lane 2 tends to stay devoid of standing water whereas Lanes 1 and 3 attract more due to camber and superelevation changes. Of course, if someone wants to get past I'll move over...

[KB_S1]

Coming home from Kent last weekend in the heavy rain with my Dad it was necessary to move into L2 on a number of occasions to avoid the standing water.
This may not explain your scenario but, there is sometimes a genuine explanation.

Sometimes if on the Mway at night I will move into L2 if nothing is behind me just to distance myself from the left edge as it is not uncommon to see deer straying onto the roads around here.

[robert997]

Maybe tramlines, but I don't remember them being so bad on the M40 - I use it twice a week. You have to appreicate the psychology of some of our fellow road-users, some just feel comfortable being in the middle lane, some just have no idea how to drive ! Either way, I personally just give everyone a wide berth and let them get on with whatever it is they're doing !

[waremark]

You say you did not pull into lane 1 until you were well ahead. Might he had disagreed? If so, moving to lane 2 would have been an entirely reasonable response.

[OSGrooves]

If that was the case then surely he would have pulled in once I was a mile further down the road?

[illmonkey]

The tram lines get bad comming from b'ham at the oxford junction. But after they are fine. Both ways.

[7db]

waremark said:

You say you did not pull into lane 1 until you were well ahead. Might he had disagreed? If so, moving to lane 2 would have been an entirely reasonable response.

I do this often if clear behind, and I feel the passing car has left me less than my safety margin.

[Mostro]

Hooli said:

because he has the brain of a frozen cowpat.

The sad fact is that a lot of non-enthusiast drivers feel more comfortable, or safer, with an empty lane either side of them at motorway speeds. The same ones who drive an empty A road at 35mph.

[WhoseGeneration]

So, could I venture to sum up as, each have their reason?.
Assuming reason is happening and not automation.
Notwithstanding that others might not agree.
Ah, if we could each read the other's mind.

[chris_w666]

Mostro said:

Hooli said:

because he has the brain of a frozen cowpat.

The sad fact is that a lot of non-enthusiast drivers feel more comfortable, or safer, with an empty lane either side of them at motorway speeds. The same ones who drive an empty A road at 35mph.

Then why do they get allowed to drive, arent these the same people who cause road rage and traffic jams with self righteous uselessness??

[Graebob]

Once, when travelling along a section of motorway near London (either M25 or M11, can't remember which) I was alone in L1 at about 75 and came upon a Galaxy in L2 at probly 68. I indicated, moved to L3 (the whole M'way was clear), passed the car in question, left the gap I always leave (I rarely move left until I can see the whole car in my rear view mirror) and moved back to L1 to carry on.

Just as I moved across L2 to L1 I received several flashes of headlight and a few gesticulations from the driver of the Galaxy. Bemused would be the way to put it lightly. I even checked my rear lights to see if she was trying to warn me of a broken bulb etc.

[T_Pot]

possibly you were kicking up spray or grit and shit, and he smply pulled into the other lane to escape the flying mess, as you say the road was empty it would be no problem