Road craft on motorways and dual carrageways in UK

[KJMerc]

Why oh why do we in the UK when we get three or more lanes to drive I. Have people instant and adamant to drive in the right most lane no matter how slow they go in Europe they pull out pull in and the left lane is left free for progressive driving cum on UK wake up read the b@@@@y Highway Code

 

[renault12ts]

It's all about attitude. In the UK people fear losing face by moving over...in Europe they fear losing face by slowing up a faster driver, even if doing a ton themselves.

It will not change.

 

[brucemillar]

Makes me mad when people use My Lane on the Motorway.

I also think that all trucks should be banned from overtaking on the M11 northbound and the A1 (any direction) driving along for miles in perfect formation as huge queues build up behind them. AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

 

[Derek Mc]

It is a pet peeve of mine also, on tri-lane motorways if I see the middle lane moron, I will intentionally sweep up from inside lane indicate to lane 2,3 pass then hard sweep back to lane 1 again, 7/10 they will pull in.

I think some people are convinced they will explode if they drive in lane 1.

Another pet peeve as I am a big mileage driver, is needless front fog lamp usage, and inappropriate use of rear fog's. I always view it that on motorways if I can see the car infront of the car in front,,, Don't blind the poor guy behind me.

 

[Deleted member 65149]

I no longer bother pulling across two lanes in order to overtake a mid-lane hogger. I just continue on the inner lane at the same speed, but give a hoot or flash of lights as a warning that I'm passing on their left. I keep hoping that the police will stop me and have a go for overtaking on the inside, so I can respond with asking why they didn't do anything about the person who was incapable of driving on the left.

 

[st13phil]

It's all about attitude. In the UK people fear losing face by moving over

You may have something in that.

I drove round the M25 from the M40 to the A12 on Saturday before last and was amazed at the number of people cruising in lane 3 of 4 when lanes 1 & 2 were totally devoid of traffic. Morons, the lot of them

 

[moonloops]

I no longer bother pulling across two lanes in order to overtake a mid-lane hogger. I just continue on the inner lane at the same speed, but give a hoot or flash of lights as a warning that I'm passing on their left. I keep hoping that the police will stop me and have a go for overtaking on the inside, so I can respond with asking why they didn't do anything about the person who was incapable of driving on the left.

Surprise the police haven't had a friendly chat already as undertaking is prosecuted as dangerous driving. Minimum of 1 year ban max 2 years in prison and option of unlimited fine.

 

[trapperjohn]

Makes me mad when people use My Lane on the Motorway.

I also think that all trucks should be banned from overtaking on the M11 northbound and the A1 (any direction) driving along for miles in perfect formation as huge queues build up behind them. AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

I think there is a special prize for the "World's Longest Overtaking Manuver" Regular practices take place all day everyday on M and A roads. Nightmare

 

[Satch]

You may have something in that.

I drove round the M25 from the M40 to the A12 on Saturday before last and was amazed at the number of people cruising in lane 3 of 4 when lanes 1 & 2 were totally devoid of traffic. Morons, the lot of them

Pillocks driving in lane 3 (or 4 or 5 and sometimes 6 on the M25) in the early hours. That really, really ticks me off.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

I'm learning to not get bothered about lane discipline, as long as I can find a way past I'm happy enough.
Lorries on the a42 or m50 which are both dual carriageway only are a bit of an irritant though.
Driving in the UK would be a lot more pleasant if we were all a bit more tolerant.

 

[Deleted member 65149]

Surprise the police haven't had a friendly chat already as undertaking is prosecuted as dangerous driving. Minimum of 1 year ban max 2 years in prison and option of unlimited fine.

But it's allowed in "slow moving traffic". If I'm doing 65 in lane 1, and had been for some time, whilst Peter Plonker is doing 50 in lane 2 on a motorway, is that classed as slow moving traffic? Isn't moving across two lanes to merge into traffic at 70mph more dangerous than staying in my lane? Would make for an interesting legal discussion.

 

[moonloops]

But it's allowed in "slow moving traffic". If I'm doing 65 in lane 1, and had been for some time, whilst Peter Plonker is doing 50 in lane 2 on a motorway, is that classed as slow moving traffic? Isn't moving across two lanes to merge into traffic at 70mph more dangerous than staying in my lane? Would make for an interesting legal discussion.

In my book slow moving traffic is less than 100 mph

 

[Clkrichard]

How annoying is the growing phenomenon of " I have signalled right so I am going to change lanes anyway " and then some bozo either takes away your sensible gap behind the car in front, or even worse, makes you stand on the brakes !
I was taught ( a long time ago !) that a signal shows your intention to manoeuvre and it doesnt give you the right to then perform that manoeuvre regardless.
Needless to say these types usually respond to flashed lights with a variety of finger gestures both at the time and when I go past ....

 

[Deleted member 65149]

How annoying is the growing phenomenon of " I have signalled right so I am going to change lanes anyway " and then some bozo either takes away your sensible gap behind the car in front, or even worse, makes you stand on the brakes !
I was taught ( a long time ago !) that a signal shows your intention to manoeuvre and it doesnt give you the right to then perform that manoeuvre regardless.
Needless to say these types usually respond to flashed lights with a variety of finger gestures both at the time and when I go past ....

Another of their tricks is to slam their brakes on in response to your indignant flashes then proceed at a dawdle in the outer lane.
Or a recent reaction I found twice in Cornwall last week was to eventually let you past then speed up and follow with their lights flashing

 

[st13phil]

Isn't moving across two lanes to merge into traffic at 70mph more dangerous than staying in my lane? Would make for an interesting legal discussion.

Might make an interesting discussion, but I suspect there would only be one outcome and that's one you'd be unhappy with. You need to be very careful about overtaking on the left.

 

[brucemillar]

Might make an interesting discussion, but I suspect there would only be one outcome and that's one you'd be unhappy with. You need to be very careful about overtaking on the left.

Being an expert in such matters (I watch Traffic Cops) I can tell you that the Police seem not to keen on any undertaking.

My peeve (mentioned on here somewhere else) is people who seeing the right hand lane closed - closing - move left arrow, see this as a challenge. Usually this is evident as they floor the throttle and move out of the left lane (that they were quite happy until they saw the signs). They will then attempt to overtake every car before forcing their way back into the left lane as they run out of road. Some of then appear annoyed if some ignorant motorist protests at their outbraking tactic.

A classic for this is the M2 (north) where it joins the M25 - Dartford. Signposted as lane closing from the start of the slip road, Captain **** will happily career around the bend on the outside of you before attempting to chop you up at the last second.

 

[jaymanek]

My peeve (mentioned on here somewhere else) is people who seeing the right hand lane closed - closing - move left arrow, see this as a challenge. Usually this is evident as they floor the throttle and move out of the left lane (that they were quite happy until they saw the signs). They will then attempt to overtake every car before forcing their way back into the left lane as they run out of road. Some of then appear annoyed if some ignorant motorist protests at their outbraking tactic.

A classic for this is the M2 (north) where it joins the M25 - Dartford. Signposted as lane closing from the start of the slip road, Captain **** will happily career around the bend on the outside of you before attempting to chop you up at the last second.

Yes thats true but the majority of people start queuing in the first lane FAR too early... You cant even see the road cones and people are in Lane 1 causing tailbacks a mile long...

The amount of times you see all the holier than thou's lining up neatly when the filter has been removed hours ago!

I always wait until I can see the cones and then ill slow down and move over as I approach..

 

[Deleted member 65149]

Might make an interesting discussion, but I suspect there would only be one outcome and that's one you'd be unhappy with. You need to be very careful about overtaking on the left.

You could very well be right. But my unhappiness wouldn't be the fine/ban, it would be that the police consider safely passing other vehicles on the left whilst maintaining a steady legal speed and remaining in lane a more serious offence than hogging outer lanes when inner lanes are free, driving too close to the vehicle in front, driving whilst on the phone, and countless other what I consider far more dangerous activities. However, because I am very careful when passing other vehicles on the left (warning light flash and/or horn before passing), I'll continue to do so and argue my case with the police and courts if necessary.

 

[Scott_F]

You could very well be right. But my unhappiness wouldn't be the fine/ban, it would be that the police consider safely passing other vehicles on the left whilst maintaining a steady legal speed and remaining in lane a more serious offence than hogging outer lanes when inner lanes are free, driving too close to the vehicle in front, driving whilst on the phone, and countless other what I consider far more dangerous activities. However, because I am very careful when passing other vehicles on the left (warning light flash and/or horn before passing), I'll continue to do so and argue my case with the police and courts if necessary.

When you get to court on charges related to undertaking you'd probably be better off not mentioning to the Magistrate that you were flashing your lights and blaring you horn as you did so.

 

[craig1912]

I find I'm " undertaking" all the omen on four lane stretches of the M25. At weekends (the only time I'm on the M25) I can drive at 70 and stay in the inside lane almost all the way whereas the 3/4 lanes are full.