Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think lane hogging is inconsiderate on motorway?

358 replies

MangoMonster · 29/10/2011 22:41

why do people hog the middle lane or even worse the third lane on a four lane carriageway? If you're scared to change lanes, stay in the slow lane? Sorry but it does wind me up, especially on a long drive. One of the fee small annoyances that get to me :(

OP posts:
birdofparadise · 01/11/2011 16:21

I too vote for Custard as Queen Grin

OP, YABUish......admittedly, middle lane hoggers can be annoying if you are trying to speed and can't be bothered to pull out into lane 3 (been there, done that, now grown up a bit) but they are the least of your worries on a motorway. The main dangers (and why don't the police stop more people?) are those texting or phoning whilst driving, and those not observing the correct distance behind the car in front. One thing I find annoying (and dangerous) is when I am driving 4 or 5 car lengths behind the car in front, wanting really to go faster but there being currently no chance to overtake, only to get some idiot on my bumper flashing me or, worse, undertaking and then pulling out in front of me as if to make some point (??what point other than their stupidity about not understanding keeping a good distance from the car in front?).

PlinkertyPlonk · 01/11/2011 16:29

Didn't someone work out once that if everyone on the M25 drove the correct distance from the car in front, that it would be impossible to fit all that traffic on the M25?

PlinkertyPlonk · 01/11/2011 16:30

And before I get flamed - I don't condone sitting on people's tails and driving dangerously!!

trixymalixy · 01/11/2011 17:50

I can't fathom why the thickos on this thread can't understand that the OP is NOT talking about the situation where the left hand lane is full of traffic. How many times does she, and the others on this thread that actually know how to motorway drive, have to say that that in that situation it is fine to stick in the middle lane and that weaving in and out would be more dangerous.

Get some motorway driving lessons if you fail to comprehend the difference.

trixymalixy · 01/11/2011 18:01

... As long as you ate travelling faster than the traffic in the left hand lane that is otherwise you are not actually overtaking and should pull in.

DunRovin · 01/11/2011 18:06

Manners, being considerate and not losing patience are essential for safe driving, too, Trixy! Don't be so rude.

trixymalixy · 01/11/2011 18:23

Frustration causes normally calm polite people to act in ways they wouldn't normally, which is why there are big signs on the motorway frequently saying "frustration causes accidents" and asking people to drive on the left.

DunRovin · 01/11/2011 18:34

Frustration causes accidents, so perhaps the frustrated should calm themselves! Imagine 'frustration causes domestic violence'....

I am not a middle lane driver if the inside lane is clear. I know it is an unhelpful way to drive. But it is still idiotic and dangerous for people to get het up, take risks, get competitive, be rude, work themselves up into road rage etc, and some of the aggressive postings on this thread sound a loty like that!

Original poster
MangoMonster · 01/11/2011 18:37

At least now I understand the logic of a lane hogger, which is something I could never fathom before, they are being deliberately obtuse in most cases ;)

OP posts:
DunRovin · 01/11/2011 18:40

Who on this thread has said they drive in the middle lane when the inside is free?

trixymalixy · 01/11/2011 18:49

I pray they are being deliberately obtuse mango otherwise I despair!!

SardineQueen · 01/11/2011 19:52

"which is why there are big signs on the motorway frequently saying "frustration causes accidents" and asking people to drive on the left"

That's really interesting. Which motorway is it? I've never seen a sign saying that around here.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 01/11/2011 19:55

I've seen "Tiredness can kill, take a break" and "Think bike, think Biker"... that's all really. Never seen a 'frustration' one?

SardineQueen · 01/11/2011 20:00

I wonder if the signage put up relates to the "personality" of the motorway that I mentioned upthread? Would make sense that they target the specific behaviours that each motorway brings out in people.

said · 01/11/2011 20:00

No, never seen a "frustration" one - think trixy's just made that up Grin. Have seen "Don't hog the middle lane" though as I always wonder if foreign drivers know what "hogging" something means

trixymalixy · 01/11/2011 20:07

not my picture honestly Grin

said · 01/11/2011 20:10

Ha ha. But Frustration covers so much. Imagine playing about on teh signboard. 'Existence causes accidents'

Original poster
MangoMonster · 01/11/2011 20:12

trixy that's funny and good! ;)

OP posts:
OrmIrian · 01/11/2011 20:22

Anyone using any lane whatsoever when I am on the mway is inconsiderate. So there.

rupert1 · 01/11/2011 20:31

Unfortunatly this happens a lot,just that one car trundelling along, not much you can do mostly the driver is unaware they are hogging the lane they dont have a clue or awareness of other drivers and are certainly not alert.

GColdtimer · 01/11/2011 20:36

I shouldn't be shocked at this thread because lane hoggers really annoy me, but I now realise why there are so bloody many of them. Can't believe so many people are unaware of the motorway driving rules Shock

ShellyBoobs · 01/11/2011 20:37

That's a great video, trixy.

unpa1dcar3r · 01/11/2011 20:45

Excellent clip Trixy. Says it all Smile

Now all the middle lane hoggers, flipping move overrrrrr!!!

Sleepwhenidie · 01/11/2011 21:05

Mango YANBU and you are spot on about how this thread proves that so many drivers are scarily clueless about motorway driving.

Undertaking is illegal and dangerous. So is tailgating (driving up close behind and flashing). Driving in the middle or outside lane when you are not overtaking, or soon to overtake, a car inside of you is absolutely inconsiderate and infuriating for drivers behind who wish to overtake. It leads to a build up of traffic a long way behind (think about it, one to two thirds of the motorway has no cars on, everyone is using one or two lanes so traffic flow is slowed, that is if people are driving within the law and not undertaking out of frustration). It is potentially dangerous.

DH is guilty of it and I just hate sitting there thinking "pull over, pull over" but avoiding saying it because it always ends up in a row!