Fast middle lane hoggers

[brucezepplin]

Hi - with new middle lane hoggers fines coming into place I'm sure there is a lot of discussion. The main complaint levelled at middle lane hoggers is something like "hogging the lane going 40mph is so annoying, and I have to cross all three lanes to overtake. Dangerous!"

I completely agree with this situation. I have a slightly more nuanced question. I drive at least speed limit, and most of the time drive around the 80 mph mark and will go 90 if I need to overtake (plenty go above speed limit, that's another discussion). I prefer to stay in the second lane when I'm traveling at this speed and have no qualms overtaking in the 3rd, and pulling back into second. I rarely find it difficult getting into the 3rd lane. In general I find myself constantly driving faster than most in both the 1st and 2nd lane (just steadily not going over the top or anything), and just use 3rd when needed. I'd point out most people I pass on lane 2 are likely already going at least speed limit on our stretch, which is probably why I don't see the lesser spotted 40mp "hogger" all that much.

Is it therefore possible for someone to complain I am causing congestion by staying in the middle lane?

When I have tried sticking to first lane, I am constantly weaving in and out, which ironically is the main complaint levelled at "hoggers".

Edited by brucezepplin on Monday 19th November 12:23

Edited by brucezepplin on Monday 19th November 12:26

[MrGTI6]

Keep left unless overtaking, regardless of your speed.

[PixelpeepS3]

It's common sense -

- if there is nothing in lane 1, be in lane one.
- if you're in lane 1 and there is a slower moving object, move to lane two.
- if there are no further slower moving objects in lane 1, be back in lane one.
- if there is another car in the distance which you will catch quickly in lane one, remain in lane two
- if there is a large gap between slower moving objects in lane one, you are in lane two but there is something behind you wanting to get past, return to lane one to allow the object to pass.

[Tickle]

PixelpeepS3 said:

It's common sense -

- if there is nothing in lane 1, be in lane one.
- if you're in lane 1 and there is a slower moving object, move to lane two.
- if there are no further slower moving objects in lane 1, be back in lane one.
- if there is another car in the distance which you will catch quickly in lane one, remain in lane two
- if there is a large gap between slower moving objects in lane one, you are in lane two but there is something behind you wanting to get past, return to lane one to allow the object to pass.

That'll never catch on!

[brucezepplin]

PixelpeepS3 said:

It's common sense -

- if there is nothing in lane 1, be in lane one.
- if you're in lane 1 and there is a slower moving object, move to lane two.
- if there are no further slower moving objects in lane 1, be back in lane one.
- if there is another car in the distance which you will catch quickly in lane one, remain in lane two
- if there is a large gap between slower moving objects in lane one, you are in lane two but there is something behind you wanting to get past, return to lane one to allow the object to pass.

I have tried this numerous times and I end up weaving between lanes 1 and 2 multiple times a minute. Surely of everyone was doing this it would be chaos. I'm not talking about driving slow on the motorway, I'm usually sitting at around 80/85. I can count on one hand over the last 15 years the amount of times I've been undertaken.

I've read that if it's up to 15 seconds before you can overtake someone in 1st lane, pull in behind them and then overtake then, rather than staying in middle lane to overtake them. This seems excessive to me.

Edited by brucezepplin on Monday 19th November 12:56

[Haltamer]

Whatever speed you are going, lane 1 unless overtaking or otherwise unsafe (Hard shoulder breakdowns etc.)

Nothing worse than road captains in L2 / 3 who are doing 70 / 75 / 80 and refuse to return to L1 / 2 respectively.

[Toltec]

MrGTI6 said:

Keep left unless overtaking, regardless of your speed.

Depends how good your observation is, keep left if being overtaken works too if you are aware of what is going on behind you. Even then returning to the left if there is nothing to overtake for a while makes for a more relaxed drive as you can slacken off rear obs a bit.

[lyonspride]

brucezepplin said:

PixelpeepS3 said:

It's common sense -

- if there is nothing in lane 1, be in lane one.
- if you're in lane 1 and there is a slower moving object, move to lane two.
- if there are no further slower moving objects in lane 1, be back in lane one.
- if there is another car in the distance which you will catch quickly in lane one, remain in lane two
- if there is a large gap between slower moving objects in lane one, you are in lane two but there is something behind you wanting to get past, return to lane one to allow the object to pass.

I have tried this numerous times and I end up weaving between lanes 1 and 2 multiple times a minute. Surely of everyone was doing this it would be chaos. I'm not talking about driving slow on the motorway, I'm usually sitting at around 80/85. I can count on one hand over the last 15 years the amount of times I've been undertaken.

The general rule given to me by an ADI, was if you'd be in the LH lane for more than 10 seconds change lane, if not remain in your current lane.

The problem I seem to encounter more often now is passing a MLM, moving to lane 1 and then having said MLM accelerate up to block me in lane 1. It's like the little s are fighting back.........

[T1berious]

PixelpeepS3 said:

It's common sense -

- if there is nothing in lane 1, be in lane one.
- if you're in lane 1 and there is a slower moving object, move to lane two.
- if there are no further slower moving objects in lane 1, be back in lane one.
- if there is another car in the distance which you will catch quickly in lane one, remain in lane two
- if there is a large gap between slower moving objects in lane one, you are in lane two but there is something behind you wanting to get past, return to lane one to allow the object to pass.

^This^

The reality is this unfortunately,
- I have a "insert prestige brand" 2.0l Turbo Diesel and lane 2 will suffice until I swing across 2 lanes with milometers to spare for my exit.
- I have light goods vehicle, it's not mine so I'll chase the red line while enjoying the heady heady delights of lane 3, I'm immune to being under taken even if the motorway is clear for miles.

[anonymous-user]

Assuming this second post from you is serious, then....

If you are travelling in the 90's then most of the time there won't be anyone catching you up in the middle lane to get annoyed with you, and I can't see what you are worrying about. No one is going to call you a lane hogger if you are not in their way.

I understand that at speed, you end up ducking in and out of lane 1 a stupid amount, just dont' sit in it at 80, as you are likely to be travelling the same speed as a lot of other cars, and slower than some others.

I questioned your seriousness because you mention 40mph middle lane hoggers. I don't think I've ever seen someone in lane 2 doing 40. More like 60-70 is the norm (and they are probably called "Norm")

[Car-Matt]

lyonspride said:

brucezepplin said:

PixelpeepS3 said:

It's common sense -

- if there is nothing in lane 1, be in lane one.
- if you're in lane 1 and there is a slower moving object, move to lane two.
- if there are no further slower moving objects in lane 1, be back in lane one.
- if there is another car in the distance which you will catch quickly in lane one, remain in lane two
- if there is a large gap between slower moving objects in lane one, you are in lane two but there is something behind you wanting to get past, return to lane one to allow the object to pass.

I have tried this numerous times and I end up weaving between lanes 1 and 2 multiple times a minute. Surely of everyone was doing this it would be chaos. I'm not talking about driving slow on the motorway, I'm usually sitting at around 80/85. I can count on one hand over the last 15 years the amount of times I've been undertaken.

The general rule given to me by an ADI, was if you'd be in the LH lane for more than 10 seconds change lane, if not remain in your current lane.

This...

[Conscript]

brucezepplin said:

Is it therefore possible for someone to complain I am causing congestion by staying in the middle lane?

I'd argue yes.

Imagine a driver is in the left hand lane, slowly approaching a lorry in front of them. They are planning to pull into L2 to overtake. They check their mirror and you are approaching behind them in L2. They now have to spend more time deciding whether your closing speed gives them enough time to complete their manoeuvre, or not - essentially, they have to judge whether you are overtaking them, or just "cruising" in L2 because it's easier. This might cause them to have to slow down as they approach the lorry, as you cruise past.

Whereas if you have been cruising in L1, behind that car, then when they checked their mirror, L2 would have been clear and they could have pulled out as soon as they ascertained it was safe to do so. By the time you caught up with them, they might have already completed their manoeuvre; if not, then you can move into L3 to overtake.

This is one of the things that annoys me about people who claim that sitting in the middle lane at 70MPH doesn't affect anyone because "you shouldn't be going faster than 70MPH anyway". It's a selfish disregard for the affect your road position has on other people's forward planning.

[PorkRind]

MrGTI6 said:

Keep left unless overtaking, regardless of your speed.

This.

[Mafffew]

brucezepplin said:

When I have tried sticking to first lane, I am constantly weaving in and out, which ironically is the main complaint levelled at "hoggers".

Edited by brucezepplin on Monday 19th November 12:23

Edited by brucezepplin on Monday 19th November 12:26

Stop being lazy.

[Sofa]

lyonspride said:

The problem I seem to encounter more often now is passing a MLM, moving to lane 1 and then having said MLM accelerate up to block me in lane 1. It's like the little s are fighting back.........

I had some chap in a Ford Ranger attempt to do that to me the other day, then shake his head at me when I pulled out in front of him (with plenty of room). Pillock.

[BrassMan]

I see these baffling chaps quite a lot. Usually serially tail gating in L2, only moving to L3 when they come up behind a van or similarly opaque vehicle. If they do move to L3, they act like it's hot and move back to L2 as soon as they are clear of the last car.

They're only slightly less daft than the guys who change lane every few seconds.

[chris4652009]

MrGTI6 said:

Keep left unless overtaking, regardless of your speed.

Yep, it's not rocket science

[Roger Irrelevant]

brucezepplin said:

I have tried this numerous times and I end up weaving between lanes 1 and 2 multiple times a minute.

Oh the humanity! Having to use your wing mirror, indicate right and move your steering wheel slightly several times a minute...and they say the Arctic convoys had it tough.

[Chamon_Lee]

brucezepplin said:

PixelpeepS3 said:

It's common sense -

- if there is nothing in lane 1, be in lane one.
- if you're in lane 1 and there is a slower moving object, move to lane two.
- if there are no further slower moving objects in lane 1, be back in lane one.
- if there is another car in the distance which you will catch quickly in lane one, remain in lane two
- if there is a large gap between slower moving objects in lane one, you are in lane two but there is something behind you wanting to get past, return to lane one to allow the object to pass.

I have tried this numerous times and I end up weaving between lanes 1 and 2 multiple times a minute. Surely of everyone was doing this it would be chaos. I'm not talking about driving slow on the motorway, I'm usually sitting at around 80/85. I can count on one hand over the last 15 years the amount of times I've been undertaken.

I've read that if it's up to 15 seconds before you can overtake someone in 1st lane, pull in behind them and then overtake then, rather than staying in middle lane to overtake them. This seems excessive to me.

Edited by brucezepplin on Monday 19th November 12:56

What PixelpeepS3 says is absolutley correct. What you say will be chaos is the correct procedure and anything else is just laziness on most peoples part hence when they stay in lane 2. I generally drive the same speeds as you and follow what PixelpeepS3 has said. Even if it means as you said going back and forth between lanes 1 2 or 3 multiple times a minute.

When multiple people apply your thought process is when we need 10 lanes just to make progress.

[InitialDave]

I'd say that you really should keep left unless you have good reason not to, but at the same time, I can't see what you're describing as particularly causing hassle for anyone, so I'm simply less bothered about it than I am by people who sit in L2 or L3 despite faster traffic coming up behind them.