Middle Lane Drivers, Do they Ever Notice?
Discussion
Drove from the North East to Essex and back yesterday. Left home at 6am returned around 8.30pm. A19 to the A1, 2 lanes on the A19 so none spotted, 3 lane stretch on the A1 hundreds counted all the way to the M11, as it gets to 3 or 4 lanes near Stansted they're back in droves! M25 to Essex still there!
Return journey much the same, drivers completely oblivious of an empty inside lane, just happily sitting in the middle at 50-60 mph. One near Peterborough even leaning his head on his hand nearest the drivers window.
So frustrating, I'd happily love the camera network to send automatic fines of cars just sitting there causing other drivers to overtake or worse undertake!!
Return journey much the same, drivers completely oblivious of an empty inside lane, just happily sitting in the middle at 50-60 mph. One near Peterborough even leaning his head on his hand nearest the drivers window.
So frustrating, I'd happily love the camera network to send automatic fines of cars just sitting there causing other drivers to overtake or worse undertake!!
Pedro25 said:
Drove from the North East to Essex and back yesterday. Left home at 6am returned around 8.30pm. A19 to the A1, 2 lanes on the A19 so none spotted, 3 lane stretch on the A1 hundreds counted all the way to the M11, as it gets to 3 or 4 lanes near Stansted they're back in droves! M25 to Essex still there!
Return journey much the same, drivers completely oblivious of an empty inside lane, just happily sitting in the middle at 50-60 mph. One near Peterborough even leaning his head on his hand nearest the drivers window.
So frustrating, I'd happily love the camera network to send automatic fines of cars just sitting there causing other drivers to overtake or worse undertake!!
Maybe 1 out of 5 drivers when I go from L1 to L3 to overtake, then back from L3 to L1, they may then move over themselves.Return journey much the same, drivers completely oblivious of an empty inside lane, just happily sitting in the middle at 50-60 mph. One near Peterborough even leaning his head on his hand nearest the drivers window.
So frustrating, I'd happily love the camera network to send automatic fines of cars just sitting there causing other drivers to overtake or worse undertake!!
Most don't.
The smart motorways is a huge waste of money, just enforce people to be in the correct lanes.
Lots of drivers never use the inside lane of a Smart section if there's no hard shoulder.
This may be:
1. Fear of crashing into stranded vehicle (esp at night)
2. Ignorance of Smart roads
3. Thinking / knowing that the inside will filter off left at the next junction
M11 non-smart so no excuse there though. Lots of crappy minicabs ply their trade to and from STN airport and they always seem particularly wedded to the middle lane for whatever reason
This may be:
1. Fear of crashing into stranded vehicle (esp at night)
2. Ignorance of Smart roads
3. Thinking / knowing that the inside will filter off left at the next junction
M11 non-smart so no excuse there though. Lots of crappy minicabs ply their trade to and from STN airport and they always seem particularly wedded to the middle lane for whatever reason
I did about 100 miles on the M5 yesterday and the only MLM I noticed was a Range Rover Sport sat in the middle lane at 60mph, towing a caravan.
A chap in our office admitted to always driving in the middle lane as "it is safer". Apparently most accidents happen when changing lanes, so he would get in the middle lane and just stay there. Odd ....
A chap in our office admitted to always driving in the middle lane as "it is safer". Apparently most accidents happen when changing lanes, so he would get in the middle lane and just stay there. Odd ....
Way back when I used to do a lot of miles I'd play the orbiting game, I'd overtake them and pull back in to L1, then subtly slow so they would slowly pass me, then I'd speed up a little and overtake them again and repeat until they realised what was going on.
I managed 7 laps of one car once before they cottoned on.
I managed 7 laps of one car once before they cottoned on.
Several times on the radio, I've heard the advert/public information notice, to Keep Left on a motorway if your car is in the process of breaking down.
I wish they would run a similar advert for the middle lane morons, or worse, the third (of four) lane hoggers. Once, I saw an announcement on the info board to keep left unless overtaking. Once. You would think that it would be worth a plod spending a morning on a bridge with a camera, in terms of fines gathered (net of paperwork time).
I wish they would run a similar advert for the middle lane morons, or worse, the third (of four) lane hoggers. Once, I saw an announcement on the info board to keep left unless overtaking. Once. You would think that it would be worth a plod spending a morning on a bridge with a camera, in terms of fines gathered (net of paperwork time).
Lotusgone said:
Several times on the radio, I've heard the advert/public information notice, to Keep Left on a motorway if your car is in the process of breaking down.
I wish they would run a similar advert for the middle lane morons, or worse, the third (of four) lane hoggers. Once, I saw an announcement on the info board to keep left unless overtaking. Once. You would think that it would be worth a plod spending a morning on a bridge with a camera, in terms of fines gathered (net of paperwork time).
The fact that an information campaign was needed to tell people to move left when you break down is bonkers, and shows the level of moron we're up against.I wish they would run a similar advert for the middle lane morons, or worse, the third (of four) lane hoggers. Once, I saw an announcement on the info board to keep left unless overtaking. Once. You would think that it would be worth a plod spending a morning on a bridge with a camera, in terms of fines gathered (net of paperwork time).
Getragdogleg said:
Way back when I used to do a lot of miles I'd play the orbiting game, I'd overtake them and pull back in to L1, then subtly slow so they would slowly pass me, then I'd speed up a little and overtake them again and repeat until they realised what was going on.
I managed 7 laps of one car once before they cottoned on.
Absolutely brilliant, and noted for my next motorway trip! I managed 7 laps of one car once before they cottoned on.
360 miles from Cornwall on Saturday. M5 north of Bristol had a fair few, usually in old hatchbacks (Ford Focus seemed to be the weapon of choice). Loadds of other forms of idiot driving on display around the M42 and as soon as we hit the M1, middle lane hoggers were back. Loads sat in lane 3 when it goes to 4 lanes sat at sub-70 speeds. I was sat in a clear inside lane at 68 and was still passing them... I can't figure it out - moreso when they sometimes fly past at 80+ a few minutes later only to catch them up again a few miles up the road doing 65 again.
No they don’t. Most are completely oblivious to what is going on around them because they’re day dreaming or on their phones.
The ones that get me are the ones who hoof down the middle lane, catch a slower car up and then sit behind them at a much slower speed despite lane 3 being empty and then speed up again when it’s clear. Rinse and repeat.
The ones that get me are the ones who hoof down the middle lane, catch a slower car up and then sit behind them at a much slower speed despite lane 3 being empty and then speed up again when it’s clear. Rinse and repeat.
OP, if you had carried on down the A1 you would have reached Letchworth Gate. At this junction, the southbound sliproad joining the A1 becomes an entire new lane. I've seen possibly the most cretinous MLM behaviour at that point, where they come down the slip, and instead of staying in L1, they swerve into L2 regardless of what's there. The extra special ones then do the same back into L1 at the very next junction.
CarCrazyDad said:
Maybe 1 out of 5 drivers when I go from L1 to L3 to overtake, then back from L3 to L1, they may then move over themselves.
Most don't.
1 in 5! Where is this utopia of embryonic self awareness that you live? I reckon I'd be lucky to see 1 in 20 around here.Most don't.
I've also played the orbiting game as mentioned by another poster, but normally get bored long before it gets up to 7.
Getragdogleg said:
Way back when I used to do a lot of miles I'd play the orbiting game, I'd overtake them and pull back in to L1, then subtly slow so they would slowly pass me, then I'd speed up a little and overtake them again and repeat until they realised what was going on.
I managed 7 laps of one car once before they cottoned on.
Hence countering some bad driving with some childishness.I managed 7 laps of one car once before they cottoned on.
Since every overtake represents a period of increased risk, why replace 1 such move with 14 or 15.
You'll get some idiots on here copying you, now.
egomeister said:
CarCrazyDad said:
Maybe 1 out of 5 drivers when I go from L1 to L3 to overtake, then back from L3 to L1, they may then move over themselves.
Most don't.
1 in 5! Where is this utopia of embryonic self awareness that you live? I reckon I'd be lucky to see 1 in 20 around here.Most don't.
I've also played the orbiting game as mentioned by another poster, but normally get bored long before it gets up to 7.
Limpet said:
Getragdogleg said:
Way back when I used to do a lot of miles I'd play the orbiting game, I'd overtake them and pull back in to L1, then subtly slow so they would slowly pass me, then I'd speed up a little and overtake them again and repeat until they realised what was going on.
I managed 7 laps of one car once before they cottoned on.
Absolutely brilliant, and noted for my next motorway trip! I managed 7 laps of one car once before they cottoned on.
Court_S said:
No they don’t. Most are completely oblivious to what is going on around them because they’re day dreaming or on their phones.
The ones that get me are the ones who hoof down the middle lane, catch a slower car up and then sit behind them at a much slower speed despite lane 3 being empty and then speed up again when it’s clear. Rinse and repeat.
Hypothetical question. The ones that get me are the ones who hoof down the middle lane, catch a slower car up and then sit behind them at a much slower speed despite lane 3 being empty and then speed up again when it’s clear. Rinse and repeat.
If the right lane is mostlyr free, and the left lane is full of trucks. And a middle lane hogger decides to set radar cruise control to 80 and just sit in the middle lane…. With an average speed of 70 but ranging between 60 and 80 depending on what’s going on in front….
Does anyone have their journey time significantly changed?
If overtaking increases accidents, is it more dangerous for the middle guy to be weaving in between trucks? or is it more dangerous for right lane passers to overtake the hogger?
Edited by lizardbrain on Monday 15th August 11:46
Pedro25 said:
Drove from the North East to Essex and back yesterday. Left home at 6am returned around 8.30pm. A19 to the A1, 2 lanes on the A19 so none spotted, 3 lane stretch on the A1 hundreds counted all the way to the M11, as it gets to 3 or 4 lanes near Stansted they're back in droves! M25 to Essex still there!
Return journey much the same, drivers completely oblivious of an empty inside lane, just happily sitting in the middle at 50-60 mph. One near Peterborough even leaning his head on his hand nearest the drivers window.
So frustrating, I'd happily love the camera network to send automatic fines of cars just sitting there causing other drivers to overtake or worse undertake!!
Pictures, we need pictures! Videos even better.Return journey much the same, drivers completely oblivious of an empty inside lane, just happily sitting in the middle at 50-60 mph. One near Peterborough even leaning his head on his hand nearest the drivers window.
So frustrating, I'd happily love the camera network to send automatic fines of cars just sitting there causing other drivers to overtake or worse undertake!!
Most so-called MLMs have another car in front of them, so they're not MLMs.
I think the general standard of driving in the UK is terrible, especially on the motorways.
I drive to Munich a couple of times a year and down to the Alps at least once.
Driving out of the eurotunnel and up the M20 after a few weeks on the autobahn (and even the Autoroutes in France), not only does it feel very slow, but people appear to be paying far less attention.
I also drive an old defender and will generally chug along at 65 (I try to avoid motorways at all costs in it). The people I find most annoying are the ones who constantly slow down and speed up for no reason.
Many people seem to take real offence to being overtaken by a defender, so they then overtake me, but within a few miles I’m back behind them again as they’ve slowed down to 60 (or worse, they’re sat in the middle lane doing 60).
I drive to Munich a couple of times a year and down to the Alps at least once.
Driving out of the eurotunnel and up the M20 after a few weeks on the autobahn (and even the Autoroutes in France), not only does it feel very slow, but people appear to be paying far less attention.
I also drive an old defender and will generally chug along at 65 (I try to avoid motorways at all costs in it). The people I find most annoying are the ones who constantly slow down and speed up for no reason.
Many people seem to take real offence to being overtaken by a defender, so they then overtake me, but within a few miles I’m back behind them again as they’ve slowed down to 60 (or worse, they’re sat in the middle lane doing 60).
lizardbrain said:
Hypothetical question.
If the right lane is mostlyr free, and the left lane is full of trucks. And a middle lane hogger decides to set radar cruise control to 85 and just sit in the middle lane….
Does anyone have their journey time significantly changed?
If overtaking increases accidents, is it any more dangerous than weaving in between trucks?
When there is a good length of empty lane 1, you should go back into it.If the right lane is mostlyr free, and the left lane is full of trucks. And a middle lane hogger decides to set radar cruise control to 85 and just sit in the middle lane….
Does anyone have their journey time significantly changed?
If overtaking increases accidents, is it any more dangerous than weaving in between trucks?
Dropping back into L1 for short stretches only move back to L2 moments later is showing poor judgement.
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