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Original poster

Undertaking VS middle lane hogging

112 replies

WatcherWatch · 28/12/2024 16:39

I drive a lot on this motorway so this isn’t new. But I just wonder what other people do in this situation. (I was not driving while taking the photo. My mother was)

On joining the motorway our slip road becomes a lane. We stay in our lane and are doing 70mph along the road. There are no cars in lane 2 directly to out right. Because they are ALL sitting in lane 3 or 4. And they are ALL doing between 50 and 60mph. So we are technically undertaking them. But we’d either have to cross over from lane 1 to 4 just to get past them which is absolutely ridiculous. Today we could have got in to lane 4 if needed but some days that’s just as packed and going just as slowly so overtaking would not actually be possible. So I tend to stay in lane 1 and just maintain my speed. My mother was a bit worried about undertaking and would have preferred to cross all the way over to overtake but decided not to bother as we weren’t going far anyway.

What would everyone do in this situation?

Especially on days when lane 4 is also busy so overtaking would be impossible. On those days you’d need to slow down and squeeze into lane 4 to go slower than you would in lane 1. And you wouldn’t be able to overtake in the end anyway as they all drive at the same speed. While lanes 1 and 2 stay empty.

Undertaking VS middle lane hogging
OP posts:
oharibo · 28/12/2024 17:25

Undertaking is illegal but undertaking is deliberately moving to lane 1 to undertake and then back again.

In the photo I would carry on in lane 1. You are moving at the speed of your lane.

Mountainhowl · 28/12/2024 17:23

The other week I had someone sitting in lane 2 of the a14 (2 lanes), I got behind them and flashed, they moved over then MOVED BACK into lane 2 once I was past them, I couldn't believe it 🤯

Driving standards are shockingly bad, poor lane discipline, unable to maintain a consistent speed, just pulling out into the next lane when there's not really enough of a gap etc.

Mountainhowl · 28/12/2024 17:23

The other week I had someone sitting in lane 2 of the a14 (2 lanes), I got behind them and flashed, they moved over then MOVED BACK into lane 2 once I was past them, I couldn't believe it 🤯

Driving standards are shockingly bad, poor lane discipline, unable to maintain a consistent speed, just pulling out into the next lane when there's not really enough of a gap etc.

Waterlooville · 28/12/2024 17:21

I had this exact scenario today. I carried on in my own clear lane, doing 70 and passing them. It didn't feel unsafe as lane 2 was completely clear. I have never seen this before and have no idea why more traffic hadn't dropped left.

Liverpool52 · 28/12/2024 17:16

It's so bad on the 4 lane section of the M4 it's carrying over to where it drops to three lanes - people sitting in lane 3 doing 60 so no lane for people to overtake. Blatantly driving passed signs that say "stay left unless overtaking".

I stay in the lefthand lane and maintain my speed - as many have pointed out it isn't undertaking and isn't illegal.

People who sit in lanes 2 or 3 doing 60 when not overtaking should have their driving licences revoked until they've done a "how to drive on motorways" course. Just sitting there oblivious, not pulling over when the person to their left is indicating to change lanes. Dangerous, stupid driving yet they think they're somehow in the right because they're going significantly under the speed limit.

Biffbaff · 28/12/2024 17:15

I don't think it counts if there's a lane's clear gap between you. I wouldn't do it if the free lane wasn't there and would consider that undertaking.

DisforDarkChocolate · 28/12/2024 17:12

Stay in the lane and go with the flow of the traffic. You would only be undertaking if you moved into a lane to your left to pass a car in your current lane instead of moving into a lane on your right.

CitiesInDust · 28/12/2024 17:08

ChildrenOfTheQuorn · 28/12/2024 16:42

If I'm feeling particularly aggrevated I'd move lanes and drive up their arse until they get the message and move over to the left.

Yeah. I have to say this is my approach too.

Iknitjumpers · 28/12/2024 17:05

If you keep to the middle lane on cruise control all the time, that must be quite boring as well as inconsiderate. I find that left hand lane driving and overtaking when required keeps the drive more interesting. It’s important to stave off boredom and tiredness. However, motorway driving is never the most fun in any case. 😂

CitiesInDust · 28/12/2024 17:05

I thought it was a queue of traffic you can undertake in, not a lane. Is this not the case?

CantHoldMeDown · 28/12/2024 17:05

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

CitiesInDust · 28/12/2024 17:05

Resilienceisimportant · 28/12/2024 16:55

Yeah it is but in a lot of western countries it isn’t illegal and there aren’t loads more accidents proportionately.

You also have a blind spot if you overtake.

I would do either OP but you can be pulled over for going too slow (when traffic is clear).

Auto Express quotes:

You can hog the outside lane as well the middle lane, but both can be classed as careless driving under the law and attract a fixed penalty from the police

I think it’s FAR more dangerous to drive slowly or hog the middle lane.

Show quote history

Yeah you can have a car in a blind spot in any situation, my point is that that a car can creep unexpectedly by undertaking. Maybe I’m over cautious. And yes hogging a lane is not ok.
In the US for eg there aren’t accidents from undertaking, but I would argue that it’s different when it’s legal and drivers are expecting it.

CraftyNavySeal · 28/12/2024 17:03

CitiesInDust · 28/12/2024 16:41

I wouldn’t undertake as it’s illegal and dangerous. You could move into someone’s blind spot without them realising etc. I’d always go round them the right way, even if I had to just sit in lane four.

What if the left lane is for an exit and there is traffic on the outer lanes? Are you supposed to stop completely and not pass?

If traffic is moving quicker in the left lane of course you are allowed to pass them.

If you are changing lanes you are supposed to check your blind spot, whether left or right.

PersilPower · 28/12/2024 17:02

lane hogging really needs cracking down on. Not just because of the scenario as in the OP, but you can guarantee that someone will zoom up from behind, weaving across all three lanes to push through. So dangerous on many levels.

FeegleFrenzy · 28/12/2024 17:01

MereDintofPandiculation · 28/12/2024 16:55

Undertakng is when you move from your lane to one on the left in order to get past someone. If you're driving in your lane and the lane on the right is going slower it's not undertaking.

Totally this.

years ago I had a bf who was convinced it was undertaking and if the middle lane of the m25 slowed to 50mph and he was I. The inside lane he would slow to 49mph even though his lane was clear. He wouldn’t believe me even though I’d been driving longer than him. 🙈

GymBuffMum · 28/12/2024 16:57

It is not illegal if you are maintaining your speed in your lane and lane ahead in clear. Highway Code states you should keep in the left hand lane. It’s the middle lane hoggers who are in breach.

I constantly have to undertake on M11/M25 near me or I’d constantly have to be moving over multiple lanes. I take foot off accelerator as I undertake and ensure hard shoulder is clear in case of emergency.

It’s shocking this now very common way of driving (middle lane hogging) is not policed vociferously.

highwaycode.org.uk/lane-discipline/#:~:text=Highway%20Code%20Rule%20264,as%20you%20are%20safely%20past.

NotThisOldChestnutAgain · 28/12/2024 16:56

Hadalifeonce · 28/12/2024 16:48

I may be wrong, but I don't think you are undertaking, it's just that your lane is moving faster than the lane outside the one you are in.
In my mind, undertaking is where someone deliberately moves inside you, passes the moves out in front of you.

Correct.

ThirdStorm · 28/12/2024 16:56

i saw this exact scenario this morning on m4. I’m sorry to say I undertook in lane 1 twice. Once undertaking something in lane 3 with lane 2 empty. I know lane one sometimes becomes an exit to a junction and I think drivers use that as an excuse not to use it.

MereDintofPandiculation · 28/12/2024 16:55

Undertakng is when you move from your lane to one on the left in order to get past someone. If you're driving in your lane and the lane on the right is going slower it's not undertaking.

Resilienceisimportant · 28/12/2024 16:55

CitiesInDust · 28/12/2024 16:41

I wouldn’t undertake as it’s illegal and dangerous. You could move into someone’s blind spot without them realising etc. I’d always go round them the right way, even if I had to just sit in lane four.

Yeah it is but in a lot of western countries it isn’t illegal and there aren’t loads more accidents proportionately.

You also have a blind spot if you overtake.

I would do either OP but you can be pulled over for going too slow (when traffic is clear).

Auto Express quotes:

You can hog the outside lane as well the middle lane, but both can be classed as careless driving under the law and attract a fixed penalty from the police

I think it’s FAR more dangerous to drive slowly or hog the middle lane.

Tara336 · 28/12/2024 16:54

I just carry on and drive in the correct lane, no one else uses it. But on the M25 today there was a woman in a Honda sat in the outside lane doing 60mph no one in front of her and no one in the lane to her left she was absolutely oblivious to the traffic jam behind her and people began undertaking her.

9GreenBottles · 28/12/2024 16:53

From this picture, if they were all in lane 3 or 4, I’d continue at 70 and undertake (and I think this is technically keeping up with the flow of traffic).

If someone was in lane 2 and the other lanes were blocked, I’d drive to a point where I was visible in their mirrors and stay there for a minute so they could see me, realise their bad driving and pull in ahead so I could overtake, then if they didn’t, I’d undertake.

Hekett · 28/12/2024 16:53

Hadalifeonce · 28/12/2024 16:48

I may be wrong, but I don't think you are undertaking, it's just that your lane is moving faster than the lane outside the one you are in.
In my mind, undertaking is where someone deliberately moves inside you, passes the moves out in front of you.

You’re not wrong.

I just carry on in lane 1. I “undertook” 5 cars doing this the other day and I was doing less than 70. To the hoggers - just move over, it’s not that hard!

And also - whilst I am ranting - 40mph on a clear motorway is not an acceptable speed… in any lane!

ChristmasinBrighton · 28/12/2024 16:50

Hadalifeonce · 28/12/2024 16:48

I may be wrong, but I don't think you are undertaking, it's just that your lane is moving faster than the lane outside the one you are in.
In my mind, undertaking is where someone deliberately moves inside you, passes the moves out in front of you.

Yes, this is my understanding also.

DaringRubyTraybake · 28/12/2024 16:49

Hadalifeonce · 28/12/2024 16:48

I may be wrong, but I don't think you are undertaking, it's just that your lane is moving faster than the lane outside the one you are in.
In my mind, undertaking is where someone deliberately moves inside you, passes the moves out in front of you.

Yes this is my understanding too and that would not be illegal.

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