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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think 70mph is an acceptable speed in any motorway lane?

272 replies

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 17/06/2018 23:20

Disclaimer: I have only recently started driving on the motorway regularly

Surely whatever lane you're in, 70mph is an acceptable speed to be doing? I keep finding that when I'm in the fast lane (eg when overtaking cars in the middle lane) at 70mph, I find I have someone driving 2 metres behind me in a way that suggests they enjoy causing a pile up. Once I'm able to get back into the middle lane they will rush past at well over 70mph.

Did I miss the memo where the fast lane became part of the German Autobahn?

OP posts:
gamerchick · 18/06/2018 09:26

I’m a new driver. If I break the speed limit the penalties are more severe and I risk losing my license. So be others can just be pissed off, it’s not my problem

Same here, 2 years after passing your test isn't it? I have my fair share of aggressive drivers but it's tough. My mother says she gets stressed as a passenger with me because I stick to the speed limit Confused husband takes over the driving 'because we'll never get there with you driving'. Just leave more time for your journey man. Everyone is in such a rush and accidents happen.

Those who think going over a 70 speed limit is legal and fine are bellends and could do with refresher lessons imo.

alreadytaken · 18/06/2018 09:27

it's possible to pull out to overtake when the overtaking lane is clear but then be tailgated by an idiot doing 100 who was not in sight at the time. You can overtake when there was a large gap only to find twat who is speeding speeds up even more because they resent you overtaking and deliberately close the gap. Then they expect you to cut up the car being overtaken. Or the car in the middle lane speeds up but you now cant drop back in behind them because twat behind you is now too close.

Strange how everyone is willing to assume the OP was driving badly but we are entitled to break driving laws because they dont apply to us.

gamerchick · 18/06/2018 09:28

My speedometer is 2 out according to the flashy signs. Not loads as people are saying.

Yokatsu · 18/06/2018 09:31

I’m a new driver. If I break the speed limit the penalties are more severe and I risk losing my license. So be others can just be pissed off, it’s not my problem

Stick to the speed limits by all means but stick to the highway code too. Chances are if your travelling at 70 and theres a car on your tail on a dual carriageway you are breaking the highway code. Just not by speeding....

Blobbyweeble · 18/06/2018 09:34

In my experience most RTC's are caused by lack of observation and situational awareness. Not looking in mirrors and indicating before changing lanes and not judging the speed of vehicles in the lane you are moving in to.
The number of times I've had to brake because vehicles have changed lanes without warning beggars belief. And before anyone says anything I do have nice sparkly blue lights on my car.

HoneyDragon · 18/06/2018 09:36

If I’m pull out to the outside lane to able to overtake a driver in the middle lane and I’m able to do so at 70mph like the op states, and someone appears up my arse because they were further back but travelling at 95mph in the outside lane how would I be breaking the Highway Code?

cholka · 18/06/2018 09:38

This thread tells you all you need to know. Most drivers are responsible and respect the law. But a substantial majority are irresponsible idiots who think they know better than the law.
It's best to leave the morons to their 90mph+ in the fast lane and hope it's them not you who bear the consequences if things go wrong.

kamilahbobo · 18/06/2018 09:43

Well I have disappointing news for you Breakfastatwhatever..I wasn't talking about YOU - scarred drivers like you but drivers sitting on 3rd lane at 70mph because too scared to pull back on 1st..Have I ever said I drive on long distance light all the time ??? Clearly you have understanding issues..just like I can imagine you being a danger to the motorists by staring at your gauge if it shakes above 70 rather then look at the road and keep the reasonable speed that is safe for everyone..

kocerhan3 · 18/06/2018 09:44

If you're doing 70mph in the outside lane when there's room in the left or middle, you're a problem. You shouldn't be cruising along in the outside lane, it's for overtaking only. Annoys me when people do this as it does cause congestion, and that can be detrimental when emergency services are trying to get through to save a life somewhere. Be considerate!

frasersmummy · 18/06/2018 09:49

Kocerhan3 yes you should pull. Over if the lane to left is moving slower and its safe to do so.. But how is it causing congestion?

You are not allowed to go over the speed limit.. So If I'm In front doing 70 and I pull over you are now in front doing 70
How have I eased congestion..?

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 18/06/2018 09:51

@kamilahbobo
If you drive as aggressively as you post, I hope I am never sharing a road with you

IIIustriousIyIIlogical · 18/06/2018 09:55

So If I'm In front doing 70 and I pull over you are now in front doing 70

But I'm not doing 70, I might be doing 75, 80 or 90.

As you well know from reading the thread.

So just wind your neck in & get in the right fucking lane!!

ScrubTheDecks · 18/06/2018 09:56

It can be an issue on a v busy motorway if you are travelling faster than the middle lane, need to brake / slow down to slot into the middle lane but some aggressive areshole is up your bumper.

Stay calm, indicate L and slow down gradually until you can move in.

IIIustriousIyIIlogical · 18/06/2018 09:59

Car safety has improved, drivers reaction times do not improve.

Interesting, my car will brake automatically if there's something in front.

My car will cruise at 80mph automatically, slow down to the speed of the traffic in front and go back up to 80 when it's clear.

It'll also keep in the lane automatically.

I reckon I'm safer at 80 than you are at 60 when you're trying to deal with tantrumming kids etc......

IIIustriousIyIIlogical · 18/06/2018 10:00

Stay calm, indicate L and slow down gradually until you can move in.

No, if you're going faster than the middle lane, keep overtaking - you're in the right.

It's people who are sitting in the outside lane notovertaking that are the problem.

Lethaldrizzle · 18/06/2018 10:03

One of the main causes of accidents on motorways is tailgating not middle lane hogging. Just leave more time for your journey and stop driving so aggressively

frumpety · 18/06/2018 10:05

Illustriously what car do you drive ? I like the sound of the automatic braking , not sure it helps though if the person behind you is driving a car that doesn't have that feature ?

BlueBug45 · 18/06/2018 10:06

@gamerchick it depends on the make and model of your vehicle.

I overtook a small van on cruise control where the driver thought they where going at 70mph. My speedometer said they were going at just over 65mph and my Sat Nav said 64mph. I only knew because the (male) driver looked annoyed at me and started gesturing like I was speeding.

Even if I was speeding it was no concern of his. I was in a different lane and the next nearest vehicle in my lane both in front and behind was a good distance away.

Racecardriver · 18/06/2018 10:09

No problem if you ate overtaking given that you are a new driver but if you are overtaking a long vehicle/vehicle going almost as fast as you etc. And there are cars who want to speed behind you it is advisable to break the speedimit to clear he vehicle quicker and drop back into the left lane to avoid causing an obstruction. You aren't obliged to though. Overtaking at 70 is acceptable in any lane for a short period of time.

specialsubject · 18/06/2018 10:11

maximum legal speed is 70. maximum safe speed varies.

drag goes up as square of speed, hence greatly increased fuel use. So those going faster must hate the next generation, have loads of money, be having sex with someone with loads of money or all three.

frasersmummy · 18/06/2018 10:19

Illogical. Living up to your name.. Iwill not wind my neck in if you are doing 80/90 then you are in the wrong not me.. If the middle lane is doing less than 70 I have a perfect right to be In the overtaking lane..

If you are going faster than this then its you who needs to wind your neck in and drive at the correct fucking speed to use your eloquent phrasing

FirstOfMyName · 18/06/2018 10:23

illustriously out of interest what car do you drive?

Sprinklesinmyelbow · 18/06/2018 10:23

This thread is quite funny really. Hardly anyone has said they think it’s fine to speed yet there are 7 pages of aggressive posts about how ignorant everyone is and how gobsmacked they are at the mere suggestion that people speed. You only have to be driving down a clear motorway at 70 to see that most drivers are going faster than you

Lockheart · 18/06/2018 10:28

If you’re overtaking, then YANBU.

If you’re sitting in the central or outside lane with nothing on your inside and NOT overtaking anything then YABU and not driving correctly.

Whether you’re doing 50, 70, or 90 doesn’t really come into it. Stay on the leftmost lane unless overtaking.

IIIustriousIyIIlogical · 18/06/2018 10:36

Iwill not wind my neck in if you are doing 80/90 then you are in the wrong not me.

If you're sat in the outside lane & not overtaking, you're just as wrong as me & just as dangerous.

HTH Wink

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