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AIBU?

to ask middle-lane sitters why they do it?

289 replies

Gentleness · 15/02/2013 12:15

I'm not starting this thread to criticise or belittle at all, so please don't flame me. The audi thread just got me thinking about my constant mental battle to assume the best of other drivers. I have to, as I'm naturally a harsh critic and I don't like it in myself. But while I can think someone speeding is trying to get to their sick child, or someone dithering has had a bad scare, I struggle to understand the drivers who sit in the middle line on motorways. So, tell me why so I can train my brain to be kind!

OP posts:
Elesbe · 15/02/2013 12:17

Wish I knew!!!

KatyTheCleaningLady · 15/02/2013 12:18

Because I am faster than the slow lane. If someone comes up behind me, or if there is a long clear space, I move over.

Sparklingbrook · 15/02/2013 12:19

The only reason I can think of is that they think it's not worth moving back as they may have to overtake again any minute?

Or they don't realise they are doing it?

I don't think anyone sets out to do it on purpose do they?

hellsbellsmelons · 15/02/2013 12:19

There is no reason to sit in the middle lane at all.
That is probably my biggest bug bear on our roads.
I don't think they have any idea what they are doing.
Have no concept at all as to what is going on around them either.
And clearly no idea how to drive on motorways!
They are a hazzard and I really wish the Police would clamp down on them.
It is down right dangerous for other drivers to have to go from the inside lane to outside lane unneccesarily, when in fact they should only have to go into the next lane.
The only lane for 'sitting' in, is the inside lane. All other lanes are called over taking lanes!! FACT!!!
Move over you numpties!
YANBU by the way!

purrpurr · 15/02/2013 12:20

Katy, there is no 'slow lane'. The speed limit is the same.

drjohnsonscat · 15/02/2013 12:21

I try not to do this but I think the most dangerous thing in motorway driving is changing lanes so if there's a lot of lorries going at 55 in the slow lane you are going to be dodging in and out repeatedly and if there's a lot of reckoners in the fast lane doing 100mph and trying to force you out of the lane (and I never think they are getting their sick child to hospital!) then you are better off where you are until the normal pattern is restored. If those circumstances do not apply then they are just being a bit clueless.

KatyTheCleaningLady · 15/02/2013 12:22

Maybe I'm not a sitter. I do see people going slow not moving over.

When I lived in Argyll, I got so sick of people driving slowly and never pulling over to let people pass.

drjohnsonscat · 15/02/2013 12:22

ps I know they are not called slow lane and fast lane but all that offside, nearside stuff does my head in. Near what?

CailinDana · 15/02/2013 12:22

There are only two explanations I think - laziness and a lack of understanding of how to drive on motorways. I think the second one is a lot more common than you think. It's a bit mad that you can get a license without ever having a lesson on the motorway.

KatyTheCleaningLady · 15/02/2013 12:23

Purrpurr, lorries go slower than the speed limit.

Leather · 15/02/2013 12:23

Ok, I'll be honest and admit that I do have a tendency to do this.
For me, I think its just a matter of slight laziness to avoid having to keep pulling out and in again for slow vehicles/trucks etc?
I know it's not good driving, as my husband will always remind me!
I do always move over if someone comes up close behind me though but if there's no one behind me I do find myself just cruising along in the middle for a while.
Sorry Blush

Sparklingbrook · 15/02/2013 12:24

And while we are at it why don't people shift into the middle lane to let people join the motorway from the slip road? Angry

drjohnsonscat · 15/02/2013 12:25

which is also another reason to stay in the middle lane sometimes. You know a slip road's coming up so you don't want to block it for people joining. That's how I was taught anyway.

freddiefrog · 15/02/2013 12:26

My FiL does this

Sits in the middle lane doing 60mph.

It also drives me batshit that he drives at a steady 27mph on every other road, it's a nightmare if we're out with them and he's following us in his car as we're constantly losing them and having to pull over and wait for him to catch up

He thinks that every one else is travelling far too fast and he thinks he'll slow them all down for their own good.

KatyTheCleaningLady · 15/02/2013 12:26

About the only time I am on the motorway is between Argyll and Manchester. I drive faster than the speed limit and the left lane is full of lorries and caravans. I am pretty much always overtaking. I go about 70-75mph, sometimes faster.

juneybean · 15/02/2013 12:26

I don't know but I take great pleasure in speeding past the one in the middle lane whilst in the left hand lane (whilst keeping within the speed limit of course)

KatoPotato · 15/02/2013 12:27

It's all road dependent no? On a particular stretch of the M8, the inside lane is almost continuously an exit or slip. Surely if you follow the 'only one lane' theory, why are you in the middle lane then?

MerryMarigold · 15/02/2013 12:27

I do this sometimes too. Not so much laziness, but lane changing is one of the most dangerous parts of motorway driving, so if you are actually driving at the speed limit in the middle lane, then I can't really see the problem. (Anyone overtaking you is technically breaking the law, but I've kindly left them a whole lane in which to do that). When you go into the left hand lane, you need to move back into the middle whenever you come across a slower vehicle, or when you meet a junction to let other cars into the lefthand lane. It's a lot of moving around!

Tryharder · 15/02/2013 12:28

I do this sometimes Blush

I drive frequently on the M1/A1/M62 and the left lane seems to be solely occupied by HGVs. I tend to stick in the middle lane rather than bob in and out between lorries.

If the roads are clear, I stay in the left lane. In the end, there 3 or 4 lanes so no point everyone cramming in the left lane.

AllDirections · 15/02/2013 12:29

I agree with Hells

Katy You don't sound like a sitter cos you move over. Middle laners generally don't move into the slow lane...ever.

I also think that it's more than people don't understand how to drive on motorways. It's stressful driving when the traffic doesn't do what it's supposed to.

Sanjifair · 15/02/2013 12:29

My dad does this. He hates getting stuck and pinned in behind lorries, apparently.

SpottyTeacakes · 15/02/2013 12:29

It's just because they're too scared to move and don't know the rules. The middle and outside lanes are for over taking. This makes me so angry Angry it ends up making some drivers undertake which is illegal just because these people don't see why they should get in the right bloody lane

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HeadFairy · 15/02/2013 12:30

Hellsbells You're absolutely right, and I agree with you wholeheartedly. But but.... on the M25 (where I drive most regularly) congestion has become so severe now that the inside lane is almost exclusively the preserve of lorries, as they're speed limited to 56mph (I think) cars tend to go in the remaining three lanes (most of it's 4 lanes now, well my bit is :o) But the problems do get worse the more congested it gets. I've even had people telling me off for constantly changing lanes. Erm no, it's called over taking and then returning to the inside lane!

It's the ones that drive in the middle lane on a deserted motorway at 3 in the morning that get me.

MerryMarigold · 15/02/2013 12:32

(And all those people who do go right up your bum when you're doing 70 in the middle lane, just to make a point that you should move over. [Angry])

Leather · 15/02/2013 12:32

Can I just add that I would never be in the middle lane doing less than 70 assuming the road ahead is clear/conditions are fine etc.
Sitting in the middle lane doing 60 is asking for trouble

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