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Original poster

Why can SO many people not drive properly on the motorway?

296 replies

londongirl993 · 12/08/2021 19:22

I don’t know why this annoys me SO much, but the amount of middle lane / third lane hoggers on motorways is actually getting ridiculous. There needs to be some sort of surveillance / fines for poor (and v.dangerous) motorway driving because it is getting so much worse!

There is literally no point having 4 lane motorways because nobody drives in the slow lane, or even the second lane. No point having 3 lane motorways either really because they are basically just 2 lanes of traffic.

It’s not only hugely frustrating for those who actually follow the Highway Code (like me), but also disrupts the traffic flow so much. And it’s so dangerous!! I honestly believe that if everybody / 90% of drivers actually drove on motorways like you were supposed to, traffic would flow so much better.

Okay, rant over. Anyone else agree with me? Can anyone give me an insight as to why people just don’t drive properly on the motorway?

OP posts:
NavigatingAdolescence · 12/08/2021 19:24

Agreed. I want one of those LED rolling message things in my car with stock phrases like “move over, fucker”, “IN.DI.CATE!” and “put your fucking lights on, your white/grey/silver car is invisible in this drizzle from behind”.

NeonJellyBaby · 12/08/2021 19:27

I’d imagine it’s because those of us who learned before 2018 were never taught how to to drive on the motorway properly. We were just expected to get on with it once we passed our tests.

NavigatingAdolescence · 12/08/2021 19:27

Absolute bollocks. I learned in 1995.

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Driving & parking
Mrsmorton · 12/08/2021 19:29

@NeonJellyBaby it's not a difficult concept though is it... keep left, indicate, turn your lights on if you are using your windscreen wipers.

LavendulaAngustifolia · 12/08/2021 19:30

For start, stop calling it the slow lane because its not. Its just the left hand lane and the 2nd and 3rd are called the overtaking lanes not the fast lane.

If you keep calling it fast/slow then they are used as such.

imaginethemdragons · 12/08/2021 19:31

Agreed.
And those that drive at a speed of less than 50mph in the slow lane, or enter the motorway at 40, bloody dangerous.

Numerous people in the middle lane at 50, just going and going and going and going, mile after mile after mile.

Absolute wankers.

BonnesVacances · 12/08/2021 19:32

And people who overtake you on the inside and pull out into your stopping distance space. I've noticed this practice is increasing too.

tootingbeclido · 12/08/2021 19:33

because its not taught..honestly noone has a clue how to drive on motorways. its shocking how bad it is.

NautaOcts · 12/08/2021 19:33

Yes agree
I think one of the issues for me is that being in the slow Lane can be more nerve wracking because of people joining

PennineSpring · 12/08/2021 19:35

Agreed OP. The M62 was full of the twats today including a load of HGV drivers blocking 3 out of 4 lanes on the steep bit up the Pennines.

icedcoffees · 12/08/2021 19:35

Because until very recently, it wasn't taught on tests.

I've never driven on a motorway and DH had his license 15+ years before it became necessary for him to drive on one!

BlusteryLake · 12/08/2021 19:37

The most annoying is when they have been pootling along at 60 in the middle lane, but speed up the moment you pull into the outside lane to pass them!

IHateCoronavirus · 12/08/2021 19:39

Ooh yes it drives me crazy. I can’t stand people who sit in the middle lane doing 50 miles an hour and then start to race as soon as you go to overtake them.

Oh, and the other one is people who pull in in front of you and then slow right down or don’t keep a consistently steady speed.

TabbyStar · 12/08/2021 19:39

It's not taught now perhaps unless you live very close to a motorway. I got DD to have a motorway lesson after she passed, but the nearest motorway is half an hour away, and lessons up to the test were on the test route. At least she learned on a dual carriageway with slip roads, other test routes don't even have that. None of her friends had motorway lessons and some are still scared a year later to try motorway driving.

Bigassbeebuzzbuzz · 12/08/2021 19:40

@NeonJellyBaby

I’d imagine it’s because those of us who learned before 2018 were never taught how to to drive on the motorway properly. We were just expected to get on with it once we passed our tests.
This I've said for years part of your lessons and test should be on a motorway. Even if it is just a pass plus that you have to do.
Tablow · 12/08/2021 19:40

Lorries should not be allowed to endlessly overtake eachother

BareVanilla · 12/08/2021 19:40

I think as long as people do 70 in the second lane then what’s the problem? I did 2, 6 hour drives a couple of weeks ago and the left lane should be for vehicles who can’t do more than 50 or 60, horse boxes and lorries. It makes no sense zig zagging in and out of lanes every couple of minutes. When I get into the left lane knowing the car ahead is going slower I find myself then having to slow to their speed while I wait to get in the second lane. If all the second/middle lane drivers drove in left lane they wouldn’t get anywhere. I’d still be in the second lane overtaking for 6 hours.

powershowerforanhour · 12/08/2021 19:40

And people who overtake you on the inside and pull out into your stopping distance space. I've noticed this practice is increasing too.

Don't ever drive in America! I believe undertaking is legal there and if you leave a safe stopping distance two cars will drop into it- one from either side- within about ten seconds. On the plus side IME everyone keeps well up to speed- the weaving is just so people can get into the correct lane for the next intersection- and moves neatly and smoothly but it is all a bit nerve wracking when you'll all doing 60mph and somebody is dropping in just a few feet ahead of you. Kind of feels like that gun carriage musical ride they used to have at the Royal Tournament.

Donelurking · 12/08/2021 19:41

Preparing to be flamed but I’m in favour of undertaking said middle Laners. Something that is allowed in the US.

MurielSpriggs · 12/08/2021 19:44

There is literally no point having 4 lane motorways because nobody drives in the slow lane, or even the second lane. No point having 3 lane motorways either really because they are basically just 2 lanes of traffic.

I agree with this!

Here's an idea. Instead of having one four-lane northbound carriageway, why not have two two-lane ones on the same space, but separated from each other. You choose which one you want when you join the motorway, but there's no way to swap from one to the other. You'll be in much the same position as you are now with most vehicles sitting in one of two lanes lane, but at least each carriageway will only have half the number of cars.

IHateCoronavirus · 12/08/2021 19:45

@Donelurking

Preparing to be flamed but I’m in favour of undertaking said middle Laners. Something that is allowed in the US.
It makes more sense than having to move over two lanes just to get past them.
MurielSpriggs · 12/08/2021 19:47

@BareVanilla

I think as long as people do 70 in the second lane then what’s the problem? I did 2, 6 hour drives a couple of weeks ago and the left lane should be for vehicles who can’t do more than 50 or 60, horse boxes and lorries. It makes no sense zig zagging in and out of lanes every couple of minutes. When I get into the left lane knowing the car ahead is going slower I find myself then having to slow to their speed while I wait to get in the second lane. If all the second/middle lane drivers drove in left lane they wouldn’t get anywhere. I’d still be in the second lane overtaking for 6 hours.
It makes no sense zig zagging in and out of lanes every couple of minutes.

a) Prepare for flaming from people who can drive!

b) "Zig-zagging" in and out of lanes IS how to drive on motorways. That's why they have all those lanes!

BobbinThreadbare123 · 12/08/2021 19:47

In full agreement, OP. I do a lot of driving and I passed well before it became part of the routine for learner drivers. It is the driver's responsibility to know and apply the Highway Code and maintain their vehicle. I think too many in-car gadgets aren't helping either; I watched a chap pinball between the lane lines a few weeks ago, and I am pretty sure he was relying on his lane assist to avoid steering properly. You'll get the posters who feel you're being mean or don't use the motorway regularly complaining, but there are too many people who are frightened or daydreaming just pootling in the middle lane. They shouldn't be there. I live in a touristy area and most of the reg plates I see are GB, so why is the driving so poor? I've never driven to another area and suddenly forgotten how to control my car properly.

Clymene · 12/08/2021 19:49

@NeonJellyBaby

I’d imagine it’s because those of us who learned before 2018 were never taught how to to drive on the motorway properly. We were just expected to get on with it once we passed our tests.
What a load of crap. I've been driving since 1983 and I'm a very good motorway driver. Learn, don't blame other people for your ineptitude. It's all in the Highway Code.
Mrsmorton · 12/08/2021 19:51

@BareVanilla you are literally the person this thread is about. Get some lessons pls.