To think lane hogging is inconsiderate on motorway?

[MangoMonster]

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 :(

It's really interesting isn't it downbytheriverside!

We go to the south coast a lot from north london and the motorways are so different - and all very different to the M25. Apparently that has a very distinctive style because subconsciously people know it's a loop and makes them feel they're going in a big circle and so not really going anywhere - and this makes people drive impatiently and speed etc.

It's only out of london that I've experienced what the OP is talking about - people doing about 60 in the middle lane when the slow lane has lots of space.

I also think that on sections like the 5 lanes near heathrow they are going for a more US style of motorway management - in those sections they want people to stick to the variable speed limit shown on the signs no matter what lane they are in, and only change lanes when absolutely necessary. This is indicated by teh signage quite often. The "overtaking lanes" idea again isn't the best way for a 5 lane situation.

And sometimes you have to lane hog - like when the left lane is full of lorries and very slow traffic. It is ridiculous to suggest that those driving at 70 only use the middle lane for overtaking 2 or 3 lorries then pop back in the left lane then pop back out again to overtake the caravan then pop back in again before spotting the next 60MPH vehicle to overtake.

But, Custard, that's not lane-hogging; it's using the lanes correctly. I don't think anyone would suggest you pull back into lane 1 if you're going to have to pull back out again immediately. Of course it's correct to stay in the 2nd (or 3rd) lane while you're overtaking a stream of other traffic.

It is interesting, and also how hard people find it to see the differences if they don't drive all over the country in a regular basis.
So what is ridiculous behaviour on a motorway in N Yorkshire becomes essential skills on the M25 at peak times.
I find driving on a crowded motorway with obsessive lane changers swerving in front of you every few seconds very trying.

My most used section of the M25 includes Heathrow and Gatwick and all those holidaymakers who haven't got a clue how the system works and panic about lanes.

This thread has struck a chord with me. I am a bit at those who clearly have no idea about how to behave on motorways. I drive down the M1 in South Yorkshire to go to work and up the A1 regularly to visit family and get so frustrated at people who don't understand good motorway etiquette or those who appear never to have read the Highway Code.

Incidentally, several years ago a woman was prosecuted for dangerous driving because she hogged the third lane of the motorway at 70 mph. Her defence was that she wasn't breaking the speed limit, but she was prosecuted for driving in the wrong lane.

MaryThornbar - If you choose to break the law that's up to you. You know the speed limit is 70mph It's UK law. A guideline for presecution is not a law.

Moreover, you may find when you crash at 75mph your insurance company will direct you to this fact.

There are a couple of things that annoy me about motorway driving.

1. There's a lorry doing 50 in the left hand land, a second lorry pulls out to overtake and only does 55 so takes what feels like forever to pass. If someone pulls into the 3rd lane then does 60 then I get really annoyed.

2. You are in the left hand lane doing 70. Someone roars right up your tail, tailgates for a bit then pulls out suddenly and jerkily. Then returns to left before completely passing you and cut your nose off. On a motorway you should pull out from a reasonable distance behind an finish passing before returning to left. IMO in the phrase 'return to left after overtaking' then the word after is as important as the rest of it.

There is a section of motorway on my way to work that goes 40 60 then 70 in the speed limit. Regularly someone stays in 3rd lane and continues at 40 even once they have passed the 70 sign leaving people the choice of breaking the law and undertaking or sticking to 30mph below the speed limit

SingleMan... and should YOU cause a crash driving at 70mph in the wrong lane, your insurance company will most certainly make you aware of that fact and if you're caught driving in the wrong lane, you'll be prosecuted by the police.

The speed limit on all the lanes on most stretches of motorway have the same speed limit.

I'm doing a lot more talking and thinking out loud now whilst driving, because my son is often in the car with me and he's almost 17.
So I explain and we analyse and I'm trying to make him understand that even if something is a law, he really can't assume that all, or even the majority will stick to the rules. That it doesn't matter how safe a driver you are, there are many opportunities to die as a consequence of others' stupidity and arrogance, and that the best defence is to spot problems before they happen and anticipate what you need to do.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe - your still trying to justify speeding?

Exacly what CustardCake said. In the south east, the slow lane is jammed with HGVs doing 55mph so is to all intents and purposes unusable. Therefore cars do end up using the middle and fast lanes. I would always pull into the slow lane where I was able to do 70 on it. But if all the vehicles on it are doing 55, I would only be in it for a matter of minutes before having to overtake in the middle lane, and then going back and forth, back and forth, at 2-minute intervals. It just isn't practical, and isn't safe either.

Clearly if the slow lane were usable, it should be used. But the bald fact is that when it's clogged up with lorries, it isn't usable.

Slight hijack but can someone clarify speeding and being allowed 10% plus 2MPH above the speed limit. I have just paid a fixed fine for doing 46 in a 40 limit. Is this correct or have I been had?

Thanks.

SingleMan... You're still trying to justify lane-hogging. WHY is that? Concentrate on your own driving and less on what other people do - dont' impede them, they won't impede you. Is that difficult?

I have just paid a fixed fine for doing 46 in a 40 limit. Is this correct or have I been had?

No, you haven't been had. In theory you can still be prosecuted for even 1mph over the limit. It's the ACPO guidelines that say 10% +2mph as the threshold for penalties but it doesn't mean you can't be fined under that.

Yes, I was going to do that then realised it would cost £80 and I'd have to take unpaid time off work to do it! It was cheaper to pay £60 as we're a bit hard up at the moment. I'm a bit miffed as I have driven for 38 years with a clean licence!

hocus, the only thing I would say about your decision to take the £60 fine and (pressumably) 3 points is that it might cost you more in the long term.

I know not all insurance companies increase premiums for 3 points, but some do, and you have to tell them as soon as you get the points.

Ooh interesting. I never thought of that.

Incidentally did people know that different motorways have different "personalities" with people driving on the in very different ways? Speed, lane usage, stopping distance and things all vary on average depending what road you are on. Interesting, eh

Also depends on "when" - I find most motorways are mainly full of sensible people during work commute times, the real idiots tend to appear on weekends, etc.

As my driving instructor explained many years ago, if you actually followed all the rules of the road without adjusting to the situation you would be the most dangerous driver on the road.

There is a section of motorway on my way to work that goes 40 60 then 70 in the speed limit. Regularly someone stays in 3rd lane and continues at 40 even once they have passed the 70 sign leaving people the choice of breaking the law and undertaking or sticking to 30mph below the speed limit

Brights on methinks....