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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

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Original poster

To expect people to drive in the correct lane on the motorway?

214 replies

Sidge · 27/08/2007 21:42

Drove back from Yorkshire today - 250 miles, most of it on the M1.

Couldn't believe how many people seem incapable of driving in the correct lane - often there was a virtually empty inside lane, then the traffic was all stacked up in the outer two lanes.

What's that all about? Is it because there's a lorry about a mile and a half ahead that you might have to pass in a couple of minutes, so they just sit in the middle lane instead to save having to actually steer the car?

Or is there an invisible force field surrounding the inside lane that only certain cars can break through?

Grr, bloody idiot drivers.

And don't get me started on how many knobheads still use their mobiles whilst driving...

OP posts:

winestein · 29/08/2007 10:58

well, hoooow ruuuude

Bouncingturtle · 29/08/2007 11:02

Now now, we're all laydees here..

Yes, I've been thinking about taking an advanced driving test, only time and money is putting me off! Maybe next year...

bossykate · 29/08/2007 11:11

agree with pw - such a clarkson issue! my motorway bugbear is tailgating. now that is dangerous.

Reallytired · 29/08/2007 13:23

"My instructor says that unless your vehicle is incapable of it (lorries, caravans etc) you should try and drive close to 70mph on a free flowing motorway. He says it's dangerous and inappropriate to drive at 60 etc. "

I think a lot depends on the road conditions. It is stupid to drive at 70 mph in a snow storm, driving rain or fog. There are times where it is just isn't safe to.

There is no reason to drive in the middle lane if the outside lane is empty. It effectively turns a motorway into a duel carriage way.

There are some people who are legitamately allowed to drive at 120 mph on the motorway. For example ambulance drivers, police drivers or the fire bridage. When they drive at such speeds they ae doing so because someone's life is at risk.

Having to overtake a selfish middle lane hogger could mean that someone with a heart attack doesn't make it to hospital.

springflowerslapin · 29/08/2007 13:27

Oh RT absolutely, I was just simplifying what he had said. Obviously drive slower if the conditions dictate.

I like the French system, where they have a different speed limit when it's wet.

Reallytired · 29/08/2007 15:13

We have variable speed limits on the M25. They work well. Motorways like any other roads require a certain level of judgment as to what speed to travel at. Unfortunately the only way to gain the skill of judgement is by experience.

BacktoBasics · 29/08/2007 16:21

One thing i hate on motorways is when a driver is driving in the left hand lane and coming up to a slip road with cars joining the carriageway and they don't move out to the middle lane. If the middle lane is full then fair enough but if it isn't full then move over and let the cars join the motorway. I see this all the time and the cars joining always have to slow right down to nearly stopping because selfish drivers won't move over

TellusMater · 29/08/2007 16:23

Having just driven across the country towing a trailer, people who drive slowly int he middle lane piss me off because I'm not allowed to overtake them!

BacktoBasics · 29/08/2007 16:27

Lorries shouldn't overtake eachother on a hill either, what's that about? It just holds everyone up and pisses everyone off!

Califrau · 29/08/2007 16:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TellusMater · 29/08/2007 16:32

Ah, now on the A14 there is a bit now where lorries aren't allowed to overtake during peak hours. It's a hilly bit. And a bloody good idea IMO.

BacktoBasics · 29/08/2007 16:34

I don't know why thay over take eachother because they aren't going to get very far ahead because most lorries are restricted to 60mph.

MNHQ

Tech · 30/08/2007 14:45

I believe it's been proven (can't remember where I read this now) that on heavily loaded roads the American system of pass any side is more efficient - i.e. it allows more cars to get through a given amount of road at a given speed. Maybe we should just adopt it?

To avoid the "three-lorries-abreast at 60" danger they just ban trucks from the left two lanes. Seems to work OK. You occasionally get a mass slowdown but it's usually followed by a speed up fairly promptly. Also cos everyone goes about the same speed it feels less fraught... I always think that anyway, though my experience is limited to roads around New York and Miami I must admit.

michymama · 30/08/2007 14:59

Here in sicily our main motorway has only 2 lanes so if u need to overtake u have to go into the only other lane and risk having some tit come right up behind u flashing their lights and honking their horn !!! Despite the fact they can see you are overtaking. Oh and if you are being overtaken they immediately pull straight back into the lane almost taking the front end of ur car. Oh and they stop at roundabouts here to let people joining round abouts in

robinia · 30/08/2007 18:31

Sorry if it's already been said but wanted to make one thing clear - contrary to PW's frequent statements, the M25 in my experience often has:

inside lane relatively clear, the odd lorry or slower vehicle
middle lane a fair amount of traffic include some middle lane hoggers
outside lane very busy, also including some outside lane hoggers. The inside lane of the M25 is MUCH underused.

kimbod · 30/08/2007 21:20

Rant rant. There's not much that drives (pardon the pun) wilder! WHY don't they know that its bad driving or don't they care? WHY don't they care?

Doodledootoo · 30/08/2007 21:24

Message withdrawn

Bouncingturtle · 30/08/2007 21:25

Backtobasics - god that is one of my bugbears, I travel on the A19 (2 lane carriageway) and lorries always overtake on the uphill stretch drives me potty!!Grrrrrr!

LadyVictoriaOfCake · 30/08/2007 21:25

can i just swae a bit about the fucking idiot who almost crashed into my car by pulling out into the middle lane just after i did and who obviously didnt check his mirrors cos i had to bloody brake otherwise i would;ve spanked the side of his car. then he proceeded to drive at 60mph and not bother to overtake the car he pulled out behind wvn though the lane ahead was clear. grrr.

arrrrrgh.

if iot dont make sense i dont care, i have had enough of the m25 this week.

Bouncingturtle · 30/08/2007 21:27

Doodletoo - umm yes it is 70, and 60 on single carriageways unless otherwise indicated. Kinda thought everyone knew this!
Oh, unless there are cars parked on your side of the road, you have right of way of you are going uphill.

Bouncingturtle · 30/08/2007 21:27

if you are going uphill

Original poster

Sidge · 30/08/2007 22:03

Wow I can't believe this thread is still going - I must have hit a nerve with my mini-rant!

So I'm not the only one who has a magic car that can break through the force field to the inside lane then

OP posts:

Doodledootoo · 30/08/2007 22:07

Message withdrawn

unknownrebelbang · 30/08/2007 22:13

ah, coppers, what do they know?

handlemecarefully · 30/08/2007 22:21

At 70mph policywonk there is a danger that your car might gather moss.

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