Observing the Motorway Speed Limit
Discussion
Have you ever done it?
Because I tried this weekend and its bl00dy stressful!
Ive just done approx 600 miles over a couple of days
I normally tuck into lane 3 and wing it with the rest of the in crowd at a few extra mph to account for speedo error
However I really wasnt in a rush this weekend and so decided to broadly obey the speed limits
Driving at just over an indicated 70mph just isnt easy
When you approach slower traffic in lane 1 like an HGV, which is pretty common, is when you notice the middle lane numpties who drive well within each others braking distance with no lane discipline
If you put your indicator on and wait to be allowed out youd better be prepared to be patient
Its either that they wont let you or more likely they are so oblivious as to just not see you and none of them at all ever leave enough distance to safely pull out into
But the biggest hassle is pulling out into lane 3 if you have been allowed into lane 2 again to overtake slower traffic
Now you all know who you are on here LOL and you should be ashamed
It seems to me that most of lane 3 travels at 85mph or above *cough*
So if you pull out at 70mph, even if you have a gap of 200m at least, you still end up with somebody up your chuff flashing you at having the cheek to use 'their' lane
It happened to me all the time
Im not talking pulling out to overtake at 1mph faster than the car in lane 2
Mostly I put my foot down to get past more quickly but still got aggro
All in all its been quite an education
You should try it sometime and see how it feels
Because I tried this weekend and its bl00dy stressful!
Ive just done approx 600 miles over a couple of days
I normally tuck into lane 3 and wing it with the rest of the in crowd at a few extra mph to account for speedo error
However I really wasnt in a rush this weekend and so decided to broadly obey the speed limits
Driving at just over an indicated 70mph just isnt easy
When you approach slower traffic in lane 1 like an HGV, which is pretty common, is when you notice the middle lane numpties who drive well within each others braking distance with no lane discipline
If you put your indicator on and wait to be allowed out youd better be prepared to be patient
Its either that they wont let you or more likely they are so oblivious as to just not see you and none of them at all ever leave enough distance to safely pull out into
But the biggest hassle is pulling out into lane 3 if you have been allowed into lane 2 again to overtake slower traffic
Now you all know who you are on here LOL and you should be ashamed
It seems to me that most of lane 3 travels at 85mph or above *cough*
So if you pull out at 70mph, even if you have a gap of 200m at least, you still end up with somebody up your chuff flashing you at having the cheek to use 'their' lane
It happened to me all the time
Im not talking pulling out to overtake at 1mph faster than the car in lane 2
Mostly I put my foot down to get past more quickly but still got aggro
All in all its been quite an education
You should try it sometime and see how it feels
Yep - I know what you're talking about. There seems to be a massive speed difference between the outside lane and next lane in these days.
More drivers seem to be taking it easy sticking to around 70-75 mph...but there are still the reps in their German cars barrelling down the outside lane at >85mph. It's actually quite dangerous IMO.
More drivers seem to be taking it easy sticking to around 70-75 mph...but there are still the reps in their German cars barrelling down the outside lane at >85mph. It's actually quite dangerous IMO.
When I was up to 9 points I was doing around 50k a year and followed the limits fairly strictly for about 18months. Overall I found it to be less stressful, but I do agree that busy motorways with poor lane disciplined drivers was the most frustrating part.
I do it from time to time just to remind myself that it is perfectly possible to get around in good time without exceeding them (not a popular view here!)
I do it from time to time just to remind myself that it is perfectly possible to get around in good time without exceeding them (not a popular view here!)
TBH if the op has people flashing their light then either you havent left a big enough gap to overtake and pull in without slowing down the car in l3. Is it the crime of the century no. But tbh when you have shedloads of people do it one after the other it gets very irritating.
Of late i too have been sticking to just above the limit 10-15mph rather than well over it and it can be relaxing.
Of late i too have been sticking to just above the limit 10-15mph rather than well over it and it can be relaxing.
You need to anticipate better.
I've taken to sitting at 70ish on the way back from meetings and find it not at all stressful. Slightly frustrating at peoples inability to observe and anticipate but less stressful looking for the rozzers/cameras all the time. You just need to manage pulling out if you want to stick at 70 and if needed slow down or speed up to make the pass in good time to not inconvenience the faster traffic.
I've taken to sitting at 70ish on the way back from meetings and find it not at all stressful. Slightly frustrating at peoples inability to observe and anticipate but less stressful looking for the rozzers/cameras all the time. You just need to manage pulling out if you want to stick at 70 and if needed slow down or speed up to make the pass in good time to not inconvenience the faster traffic.
Bullett said:
You just need to manage pulling out if you want to stick at 70 and if needed slow down or speed up to make the pass in good time to not inconvenience the faster traffic.
Aha - thats another point!So Im in lane 2 approaching a vehicle travelling more slowly than I am
Lane 3 has a car travelling at way over the speed limit but theres lots of space for me to pull into - say 300m if not more
Then I either slow down myself or else pull out with plenty of space for safety but the car in lane 3 has to slow down as he is going that fast and gets hacked off
Who should brake in this scenario?
Me in lane 2 or the car way behind me with lots of room for me to pull into in lane 3 travelling very quickly?
Its a can of worms I tell you
Bombing along as a lane 3 bully was so much easier
aclivity said:
Bullett said:
You need to anticipate better.
This.If you can't drive at or below the legal limit without stress, you aren't looking far enough ahead (and behind).
Get some better training.
One of us needs to brake
I have masses of space to pull into but the car already in lane 3 at speed will inevitably close on me
This is exactly my point
If you drive at 100mph in the outside lane do you have a right to expect that nobody will ever pull into that a lane at a slower (but still potentially illegal) speed and perhaps its you who needs to anticipate?
Cheers!
aclivity said:
Bullett said:
You need to anticipate better.
This.If you can't drive at or below the legal limit without stress, you aren't looking far enough ahead (and behind).
Get some better training.
Oh and drop the speed to 60-65 and see how much different it is - the only thing you'll have to worry about overtaking is the lorries on the limiter and you'll have plenty of time to plan and execute the move.
Tallbut Buxomly said:
TBH if the op has people flashing their light then either you havent left a big enough gap to overtake and pull in without slowing down the car in l3. Is it the crime of the century no. But tbh when you have shedloads of people do it one after the other it gets very irritating.
Of late i too have been sticking to just above the limit 10-15mph rather than well over it and it can be relaxing.
If a driver is breaking the speed limit, and this causes him to catch up with another driver who isn't breaking the limit, who is in the wrong?Of late i too have been sticking to just above the limit 10-15mph rather than well over it and it can be relaxing.
aclivity said:
Bullett said:
You need to anticipate better.
This.If you can't drive at or below the legal limit without stress, you aren't looking far enough ahead (and behind).
Get some better training.
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