Lane discipline getting worse ?

[johnS2000]

Cliftonite said:

Be careful what you wish for. Others' perfectly safe, nearside overtaking that these morons' actions lead to would also be punished.

It has been mentioned before by one (or more) of the BiB that visit these pages , in previous topics concerning this subject that an under taker would gain more attention that a lane hogger should a police car ever find itself on a motorway.

As this particular subject comes up time and time again there are only really 2 choices to improve the situation and that is either enforcement or enforcement .

The fine/points in the post would result in either comply or buy your train season ticket .

[robinessex]

If you are gliding along on the inside lane at 70mph (max), and you cruised pass a middle lane hogger, you would not get pulled. It's acceptable acccording to the higway code.

RULE 163

stay in your lane if traffic is moving slowly in queues. If the queue on your right is moving more slowly than you are, YOU MAY PASS ON THE LEFT.

Some idiot in the middle lane is a queue, isn't it?

And you can pass either side on a one way steet. Which a dual carraigeway/motorway surely is.

[Vipers]

robinessex said:

If you are gliding along on the inside lane at 70mph (max), and you cruised pass a middle lane hogger, you would not get pulled. It's acceptable acccording to the higway code.

RULE 163

stay in your lane if traffic is moving slowly in queues. If the queue on your right is moving more slowly than you are, YOU MAY PASS ON THE LEFT.

Some idiot in the middle lane is a queue, isn't it?

And you can pass either side on a one way steet. Which a dual carraigeway/motorway surely is.

I think only a judge could intepret that, not us simple motorists, what is "slowly", if you cruise past a motorists in L2 say doing 50 and you are doing 70, then there really is no queu, so the 2nd paragraph of the highway code wouldnt apply me thinks.

Its one of this grey area I think. My view and this could be wrong, if like you, you are moving faster than those in the lane to your right, but you are within the limit, you are not undertaking.

However if you are behind a car in L3, and change to L2 to pass, then back into L3, that is undertaking, at least that how I see it. Fortunately I only use motorways once a year on my jaunt down south.

BTW a one street is not a dual carriageway.

[Negative Creep]

Phatboy317 said:

SVTRick said:

Perhaps car drivers should be set - limited by ECU to 66 MPH then see how you cope with that - Discuss ??

You would see the same kind of "elephant racing" which you now see with lorries, except multiplied by a hundredfold and at a slightly higher speed, and also across the entire motorway rather than limited to the two inside lanes.

That's one of many problems which are or can be caused by setting speed limits too low.

Simple - there would be no accidents since no one is speeding

[Vipers]

Negative Creep said:

Phatboy317 said:

SVTRick said:

Perhaps car drivers should be set - limited by ECU to 66 MPH then see how you cope with that - Discuss ??

You would see the same kind of "elephant racing" which you now see with lorries, except multiplied by a hundredfold and at a slightly higher speed, and also across the entire motorway rather than limited to the two inside lanes.

That's one of many problems which are or can be caused by setting speed limits too low.

Simple - there would be no accidents since no one is speeding

Just back from Australia, no one seems to speed there, on the motorways I maintained max limit, varies from 80, 90, 100, and 110, actually found it a joy to drive there, no lane hogging, no one up your chuff, no aggro, must be a British thing me thinks.

[Sheepshanks]

Vipers said:

Just back from Australia, no one seems to speed there, on the motorways I maintained max limit, varies from 80, 90, 100, and 110, actually found it a joy to drive there, no lane hogging, no one up your chuff, no aggro, must be a British thing me thinks.

Isn't it policed pretty aggressively?

I noticed the same in Florida - once you get away from busy areas I reckon on Interstates everyone is driving with cruise control on set at the speed limit. But compared to the UK, the number of cops you see is incredible.

[Vipers]

Sheepshanks said:

Vipers said:

Just back from Australia, no one seems to speed there, on the motorways I maintained max limit, varies from 80, 90, 100, and 110, actually found it a joy to drive there, no lane hogging, no one up your chuff, no aggro, must be a British thing me thinks.

Isn't it policed pretty aggressively?

I noticed the same in Florida - once you get away from busy areas I reckon on Interstates everyone is driving with cruise control on set at the speed limit. But compared to the UK, the number of cops you see is incredible.

Saw more police cars than you see over here, strategically parked, but in full view, I have cc for the past 20 odd years, I find it a relaxing way to drive, doesn't suit all I know.

Certainly in Oz the fines are higher as well.

[sim72]

I watched a Chrysler Grand Voyager sit in lane 3 of 4 for the entire 4-lane M1 section between J28 and J25 today. Watched him from lane 1 mostly, we were both doing pretty much 70 exactly. Eventually a guy in a Focus got pissed off with him, undertook him in Lane 2, swerved across his front into Lane 4, hit the brakes until he was behind him again, and then undertook him again. Made no difference. (Yes, Focus driver was a bit of a dick, but you could see his point).

[swisstoni]

It's a bit like if this was PedestrianHeads and we were very concerned about how people positioned themselves and passed each other on pavements. Most people wouldn't get it - they are just walking.

It's the same with middle lane muppets. They aren't really interested in driving and so you can circle them and undertake them all you like - they aren't interested. When I undertake them they usually don't notice, nevermind get annoyed or react in any way.

Unless the invisible police do anything it will soon be the norm.

[Vipers]

I think a lot of drivers just don't know enough about the H.C, even on PH's how many times do you read "I was in the fast lane".

I also think a lot of drivers pass their test, and never ever read the HC again, they think they know it all.

[HTP99]

Vipers said:

I think a lot of drivers just don't know enough about the H.C, even on PH's how many times do you read "I was in the fast lane".

I've said it before; I think the main issue with lane discipline is the "fast lane", "slow lane" terminology that the majority use.

Drivers don't want to go slow so don't want to go in the "slow" lane, don't want to go fast so don't want to venture into the "fast" lane, so sit somewhere in the middle.

I've heard the police refer to them as the "slow" and "fast" lane and even my daughter's driving instructor referred to them using the same terminology.

[Vipers]

HTP99 said:

Vipers said:

I think a lot of drivers just don't know enough about the H.C, even on PH's how many times do you read "I was in the fast lane".

I've said it before; I think the main issue with lane discipline is the "fast lane", "slow lane" terminology that the majority use.

Drivers don't want to go slow so don't want to go in the "slow" lane, don't want to go fast so don't want to venture into the "fast" lane, so sit somewhere in the middle.

I've heard the police refer to them as the "slow" and "fast" lane and even my daughter's driving instructor referred to them using the same terminology.

Your right I suppose, but when we were discussing rules governing box junctions at work, no one but no one knew you could enter the junction behind another vehicle providing you were both waiting to turn right etc etc. They all thought it was one at a time, I worry some times.

[V8 Fettler]

Drifting across white lines has become endemic. Follow most motorists along a vaguely challenging B-road and observe the drifting across the solid white centre line on corners. Bigger cars? Higher waistline? Texting?

[Vipers]

V8 Fettler said:

Drifting across white lines has become endemic. Follow most motorists along a vaguely challenging B-road and observe the drifting across the solid white centre line on corners. Bigger cars? Higher waistline? Texting?

Texting I bet. Often see cars weaving around. In a slow moving stop/start que I once got out and ask the "Lady" behind me to stop looking down texting as we were moving slowly just in case I stopped quickly and she hit me, she looked a bit surprised but said a quiet sheepish "yes"

[WD39]

Sheepshanks said:

covboy said:

Just like cutting across lanes at roundabouts - Enter from lane 1 - cut to lane 2 before the apex - exit back to lane 1

I think it's funny when people carefully obey imaginary lanes on roundabouts - I always straight-line them.

Straight-lining is an ever growing problem. Not only on RBT but on all roads. It is an atrocious driving habit which will end in many tears.

[silverfoxcc]

There is a roundabout near me that has a four lane approach
From L-R the road markings are Left Arrow.. Left Arrow/Ahead.. Ahead/Right Arrow.. Right Arrow Together with an advance White sign showing the lanes and with good marked lanes around the roundabout

YET there are increases brain dead drivers wh oget in L1 ans proceed to go all the way around, even better without indicting. You really do have to be on Red alert sometimes. And When you give them a toot to let them know you might have stove in their drivers door. YOU are the one who gets the abuse.

[mph1977]

WD39 said:

Sheepshanks said:

covboy said:

Just like cutting across lanes at roundabouts - Enter from lane 1 - cut to lane 2 before the apex - exit back to lane 1

I think it's funny when people carefully obey imaginary lanes on roundabouts - I always straight-line them.

Straight-lining is an ever growing problem. Not only on RBT but on all roads. It is an atrocious driving habit which will end in many tears.

straight lining is fine if you have the situational awareness to do it safetly and appropriately in a car - which one would hope Drivers have vs Steering Wheel Operatives ,
Or if you are driving an LGV /PCV that has to straightline some roundabouts becasue of the simple maths of it all

[akirk]

Vipers said:

robinessex said:

If you are gliding along on the inside lane at 70mph (max), and you cruised pass a middle lane hogger, you would not get pulled. It's acceptable acccording to the higway code.

RULE 163

stay in your lane if traffic is moving slowly in queues. If the queue on your right is moving more slowly than you are, YOU MAY PASS ON THE LEFT.

Some idiot in the middle lane is a queue, isn't it?

And you can pass either side on a one way steet. Which a dual carraigeway/motorway surely is.

I think only a judge could intepret that, not us simple motorists, what is "slowly", if you cruise past a motorists in L2 say doing 50 and you are doing 70, then there really is no queu, so the 2nd paragraph of the highway code wouldnt apply me thinks.

Its one of this grey area I think. My view and this could be wrong, if like you, you are moving faster than those in the lane to your right, but you are within the limit, you are not undertaking.

However if you are behind a car in L3, and change to L2 to pass, then back into L3, that is undertaking, at least that how I see it. Fortunately I only use motorways once a year on my jaunt down south.

BTW a one street is not a dual carriageway.

I think that a part of the issue we have with driving is that drivers interpret the law to suit their view / desire / personal benefit...
This is a law which has been discussed many times online...

both the above are wrong
the highway code allows 'undertaking' only at times where there is solid traffic and you are all moving slowly and remaining in the same queues...
- so the motorway solid and all driving at 15-20 mph each in their own queue, then you go with the flow of the queue, it is not undertaking
- average speed cameras & roadworks - it would be undertaking
- normal motorway use - it is undertaking

if you have room to go past in the lane to the left of the other car, then they have room to move across to allow you past... if they don't the answer is not to undertake... one person's inability to drive doesn't justify another's choice in breaking the law!
- middle lane hoggers, your choice is simple, you overtake in the right lane, it might be arguable under the highway code to notify them of your presence as another road user with an appropriate use of lights / horn in case they haven't noticed you, but tail-gating / undertaking / etc. would be in breach of the highway code
- those queueing in the outside lane waiting to get past a slower car - no excuse for undertaking, if you also wish to get past, join the queue / slow down and wait for it to dissipate...

not complicated - anything else is simply trying to justify decisions for the motorist's benefit

[swisstoni]

It's no good banging on about the legalities - it simply is not being enforced at anything more than a trivial level.

[Hackney]

mph1977 said:

swisstoni said:

No police about IMHO. Only police patrols I see are on the telly and call themselves interceptors.

ah the lack of observation of the pHErs strike again ...

Are you saying that there are a lot more police out there, we're just not seeing them?
If we're not seeing them (and we're probably more focussed on driving than the average punter), what's the point of them being there because,
a) they're certainly not a deterrent if they're not visible, and
b) given what's observed day in day out on the roads they aren't stopping many people
So, they're effectively being paid to hide all day.

swisstoni said:

It's no good banging on about the legalities - it simply is not being enforced at anything more than a trivial level.

This.