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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

..to think that this is a really good idea.

17 replies

Morgause · 16/08/2013 06:38

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23713732

Instant fines for middle lane hogs and tailgating.

It will make motorway driving so much safe and more pleasant if people are forced to in a civilised manner.

OP posts:

Original poster

Morgause · 16/08/2013 06:38

*safer

OP posts:

TimeofChange · 16/08/2013 06:42

It's great, but I'm hoping all the lane changing doesn't result in more accidents.

Original poster

Morgause · 16/08/2013 06:46

I think it will stop people "undertaking" when they get exasperated, we've seen a lot of that this summer while out and about.

OP posts:

EatingAllTheCrumpets · 16/08/2013 07:44

Won't work and is a waste of time. We don't have enough police on the streets let alone on the roads.

I agree in principal, but it's unworkable in practise. I mean "pushing in"?? Christ on a bike surely that's subjective for a start? I've been known to push in when knobs won't let me in at a filter, both of us are in the wrong but I'd be the one fined?

Sirzy · 16/08/2013 08:05

Would be a great idea if the police where given the money to employ extra officers to provide the man power to enforce it.

Surely for the lane hogging they could have cameras picking it up? If someone is in the middle lane and nothing is near them then a photo would show that then post them the fine?

womblingalong · 16/08/2013 08:09

I think this is a revenue generating move rather thn about road safety.

TheFallenNinja · 16/08/2013 08:14

It's not ideal but it's something I suppose, both lane hogs and tailgaters area problem.

Like everything though it will undoubtedly be poorly applied.

pinkdelight · 16/08/2013 08:21

Agree with TimeofChange about the risks. And I think the prats who keep darting between lanes are more dangerous than lanehoggers.

I also question the one about changing lanes and 'pushing in' at roundabouts. Sometimes this happens because you don't know the area and it's not clear which lane you're meant to be in. The 'pushing in' is just part of driving and as long as it's politely done, I don't see the problem. Most of this seems like over-ambitious interfering and the sort of subject politicians like to distract us with - filling radio phone-ins (and chat threads!) with moaning drivers (like me!) - while they get away with murder.

Sirzy · 16/08/2013 08:24

If you don't know an area and end up in the wrong lane you continue until its safe to turn around and correct yourself. You don't just push in.

If you indicate and someone lets you in the great otherwise tough!

comingalongnicely · 16/08/2013 08:38

It's a cheap headline grabber, that's all. The Police can already pull you over for careless/dangerous driving, this streamlines the process slightly after they have done so, but misses the main point.

Plod has to be there in the first place.

I ride my Motorbike to London most days (60 - miles each way) & the standard of some peoples driving is atrocious. On the phone, tailgating, wandering all over the lane.

If they saw police cars driving along, or that had pulled people over, I think they'd be less likely to do it. My highlight recently was someone pulling out right in front of me - didn't see me because they were typing on their Ipad!!

We need more Police to enforce the laws that already exist, rather than more laws to be ignored...

lljkk · 16/08/2013 08:53

I never notice middle lane hoggers, guess it must be me?!

Tailgators I notice a lot, though.

EatingAllTheCrumpets · 16/08/2013 08:53

comingalongnicely has a point, these offences are already enforceable with fines, but hardly anyone is pulled over for them. A bigger fine is not really going to make any difference.

When the fine/points for mobile phones first hit the headlines I noticed a drop in people using them, but that seems to have gone up again now as hardly anyone gets pulled over for it as there are not enough officers.

Toadinthehole · 16/08/2013 08:59

I'm all for revenue generating if it improves road safety too.

pinkdelight · 16/08/2013 09:27

"If you indicate and someone lets you in the great"

Sirzy, this is what I take them to mean pushing in. You realise you're in the wrong lane, indicate, sooner or later someone lets you in and you wave thanks to them. No way would I just take the wrong exit and keep driving the wrong way till I could find somewhere to turn around and hopefully get back without getting lost/in the wrong lane again. That's nuts when people can simply let you in. And it's usually down to crap signage so not drivers' fault.

Sirzy · 16/08/2013 09:28

Thats not pushing in though, pushing in is forcing your way in. If you sit and wait for ages blocking the traffic or push your way in thats wrong.

You make the mistake you have to correct it without causing disruption others. Blame signs or anything else but its not not up to other drivers to be pushed out of the way so you can come in.

OhDearNigel · 16/08/2013 09:35

All these offences are covered under careless and inconsiderate driving. Just like the fanfare graffiti stuff which was already covered perfectly adequately by the criminal damage act

Maybe if this fucking shit government weren't slashing police budgets by billions we'd have enough officers on the street to actually give ot tickets for careless driving.

Marshy · 17/08/2013 22:48

Lljkk - chances are that if you are lane-hogging you may well be tail gated! Not always though. Tail gatwea are sometimes just selfish entitled twats. May be worth you just having a think about it though.

Re pushing in, I do lots of driving in unfamiliar areas and sometimes find myself in the wrong lane. Some drivers will just not let you in no matter what. Shame they can't be fined!

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