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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wonder why other drivers think they can bully you?!

272 replies

guiltynetter · 06/04/2018 22:22

i need a rant!

Driving home down a major motorway a few weeks ago, there are temporary speed cameras and a 50mph speed limit all the way down it. it’s been like this for quite a long time, so it’s not a new thing. A car behind me was driving right up to my bumper and intermittently flashing me, presumably telling me to speed up (even though i was driving at probably just over 50) i ignored but felt really angry and just thought...what a dick head.

Driving down the same motorway tonight (my friend driving this time) exact same situation! a lorry this time, driving along flashing us, when we ignored him he eventually undertook in the slow lane.

I just don’t understand, how you can have the nerve to flash another driver when they’re going the speed limit, and also, to be arrogant enough to think that the other driver is going to think ‘oh no, somebody is flashing me, i better speed up!’

Am i missing something here? Do you not need to stick to the speed limits on motorways with temporary speed limits?!

OP posts:
redcarbluecar · 06/04/2018 22:23

Anyone who does that, for whatever reason, is a dickhead.

Japanesejazz · 06/04/2018 22:25

They know the cameras are not on. Probably driving that stretch a lot

Keel · 06/04/2018 22:25

Totally agree. I've had it happen to me. I slow down even more just to irritate them further. There seems to be no end of bullying dicks on the roads these days.

Jamboree05 · 06/04/2018 22:26

I agree that people who break the speed limit like that and tailgate are arseholes...

But... I also want to point out that if a lorry can undertake you in the slower lane, you should be driving in that lane.

It is illegal to lane hog. I.e. drive along in the middle or fast lane when you aren't overtaking.

crumble2 · 06/04/2018 22:27

There is no such thing as a slow lane. Why weren't you driving in the nearside lane? Everyone should stick to the speed limits but it's not up to you to police it. The speeding drivers would be caught by the cameras surely?

MaitreKarlsson · 06/04/2018 22:27

Totally agree.
Driving to Somerset from London today and was tailgated several times for daring to drive at or fractionally above the speed limit. I think you're right, it is a form of bullying. Angry

RaspberryPi1 · 06/04/2018 22:27

If he undertook you in the slow lane then YABU. You should have been in that lane if he had the ability to undertake

BetterEatCheese · 06/04/2018 22:28

If you were sitting in the middle lane I suspect that's why they were flashing you not the speed. You should be in the left lane unless overtaking

TheZeppo · 06/04/2018 22:28

M1? I agree, people are driving ridiculously alonge that stretch at the mo.

But- if he could undertake you in 'the slow lane' why were you guys not in that Lane? then he could have legally overtaken and got the fine for speeding

Original poster
guiltynetter · 06/04/2018 22:28

Jamboree but if the speed limit is 50, then every lane should be doing 50? surely HE is breaking the law by going over 50 and under taking? I understand the rules of the motorway, i’m not a lane hogger, but if the speed limit is 50 surely it doesn’t matter what lane you are in, as everybody should be doing the same?

OP posts:
68Anon · 06/04/2018 22:29

If you were driving in the left hand lane at the speed limit then it's odd for other drivers to be intimidating you by flashing their lights to try and force you to speed up.
If your friend was hogging the middle lane and driving at the speed limit (sounds as if your friend was as lorry undertook her) then she should have pulled over into the slow lane regardless of her doing the speed limit. Let drivers pass her, if they want to speed then so be it.

Lou222 · 06/04/2018 22:30

Yes they were probably telling you to drive in the correct lane.
Hate middle lane hoggers.

Nottheduchessofcambridge · 06/04/2018 22:31

They were probably flashing you to get over. If you aren’t overtaking, go in the inside lane.

Tistheseason17 · 06/04/2018 22:31

OP. 50 was the maximum speed not minimum speed.
YABU. You should have been in nearside lane.

unicornlove · 06/04/2018 22:31

It's definitely wrong to bully you on the road, and no they should not driving above 50mph. Though from what you've said it sounds like the left hand lane was free (if they then managed to overtake you in it), therefore you should have been in the left lane as you should always be in the leftmost lane unless you are overtaking others. I know it seems silly as if your going the max speedlimit it shouldn't matter which lane your in.

Original poster
guiltynetter · 06/04/2018 22:31

there are 4 lanes, we were in 2nd, not for the whole time just because we were coming off at the slip road

OP posts:
unicornlove · 06/04/2018 22:32

Sorry cross post!!

borlottibeans · 06/04/2018 22:32

You're not wrong about the speed limit, but the only way to stay sane driving is to get out of the way (i.e. into the slow lane if there is enough space there for a lorry to undertake in it!) and let idiots get points and fines.

Lou222 · 06/04/2018 22:33

Why weren’t you in the near side lane?

AornisHades · 06/04/2018 22:33

If you'd been in the inside lane then he could have taken his chances with the speed camera. You should use the inside lane unless you're overtaking.

FabulouslyFab · 06/04/2018 22:33

You should obey the speed limit but its not up to you to dictate what other drivers do. You are both in the wrong for not sticking to the inside lane. It is an offence to lane hog and you can be prosecuted.

Lou222 · 06/04/2018 22:33

And what lane would you have driven in if you weren’t coming off at the slip road?

Original poster
guiltynetter · 06/04/2018 22:34

Tis the season, what do you mean it was the minimum not the maximum? if there is a 50mph speed limit, that is the maximum you can drive. surely?

OP posts:
OoohSmooch · 06/04/2018 22:34

If you are not overtaking another vehicle then you must get into the nearside lane or what is commonly known as the 'slow lane'. It doesn't matter if you were doing the speed limit. It's not great they get up your arse but you did deserve it.

AwesomeMixTapeVol1 · 06/04/2018 22:34

It doesn't matter what the speed limit Is, you should drive on the left unless you're overtaking.
However, even when you do this some car drivers do get annoyed when you stick to the limit and try to "coax" you into speeding up - they're being dicks.

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