To ask WHY do so many people hog the middle lane of the motorway?

[Ginuwine]

I realise with a global pandemic etc this is small fry, but I couldn't believe my journey to and from Dorset this weekend. I drive an awful lot for work, but Saturday was an outlier in how many mouthbreathers were on the roads.

Sitting just below 70 mph in the middle lane, junction after junction. Never ever moving back over despite a huge clear inside lane.

Why does this bother me?

Well, when a car is racing up the slip road, the Highway Code says I don't have to give way. They have to match traffic speed and then merge when safe.

However sometimes it would be nice to change lanes to allow them to. Except I can't...because the busiest lane in this three lane motorway is the middle one. Full of people dawdling - not speeding up, not going past, just sitting there in their own world, oblivious.

Worse, I then move across into lane 3, go round, then come back into lane 1.. by which time they've sped up to my position. If I want to go around the lorry in front of me - nope! Rolling roadblock in the way - have to move to Lane 3 just to do it again. And so on..

The funniest are the ones who merge from the motorway and cut up everyone just to get into their favoured lane IMMEDIATELY. Then sit there without question, blocking legitimate overtakes, for eight or nine junctions.

Why?? Why do people do this?

I have three theories:

• People think the left lane is for "lorries" and want a superior position on the road. The "fast lane" (ugh) is for the Porsches and Range Rovers. So middle it is.

• People won't tell you their real reason is laziness. They just say "it doesn't matter anyway - I'm doing the speed limit - people can just go round me. Anyway, tailgating is worse go and shout at them"

• like reversing, some people hate the driving discipline of changing lanes. They want to limit it as much as possible and believe the act of changing lanes causes accidents.

So tell me please - why do so many people hog the middle lane when the Highway Code and all driving instruction tells us to keep left? The congestion caused by middle lane hogging is so frustrating.

I can't reason with folk who believe this because it comes from a place of partial fear, stubbornness and emotion
Very well said. Competent and safe drivers don't go through life ignoring the Highway Code and then arguing that the Highway Code is actually wrong (which is what most of the arguments why middle lane hogging is OK do).

@Sirzy

My partner is a hgv driver, I get that at some points there will be wall to wall lorries. If your out overtaking them you are not lane hogging as your using the lane to overtake.

If you can’t get in for your junction I wonder if you waiting until the last possible second to cut in? I have never had an issue when I indicate at the mile marker getting in in plenty of time for the junction

Agree with this - I have no problem joining or leaving even the busiest motorway as I plan ahead.

I often see some utterly batshit manoeuvres from people who don't and the rest of us have to dodge them as a result.

99% of HGV drivers are brilliant on the motorway as elsewhere - they are highly predictable and don't do stupid things, generally excellent at indicating and are pretty safe as long as you don't sit in their blind spots, and give them some space and consideration of the fact they speed up and slow down much less easily than a car.

@DGRossetti

There is no law of physics that makes it possible to pass a car doing 70 in the middle lane (because maybe the inside lane is crowded) unless you are doing over 70.

Or - to put it bluntly - only someone who wants to exceed the speed limit is going to notice that the car in front of them - irrespective of lane - is "in the way".

They’re not slow, medium and fast lanes.

It’s not simply about speed, it’s about the capacity of the road. If people reason ‘I’m travelling at 70 so I can stay in the middle lane’, you end up with an inside lane empty other than a few lorries, and everyone clogging up the middle and outside lanes, which then end up congested.

There’s a vast difference between “middle lane hogging” (AKA driving for miles down an empty stretch of motorway) versus staying in the middle lane to overtake a number of vehicles (which may mean you drive there for a couple of minutes, rather than seconds).

E.g. - lorries in the left lane driving at 60. Perfectly acceptable to drive at 70 in the middle lane until you are past the entire row of them before you move back in, particularly as it can often take a while before there’s a safe space to move back into during rush hour where we live. Some people on this thread seem to think they’re expected to overtake one vehicle at a time in lane 1, which just isn’t the case!

Don’t get me started on the prick I encountered yesterday though. He was behind me on the entry slip road. I entered the motorway, indicated to overtake the lorry in front, and he moved quickly into lane 2 when he saw me indicate so I couldn’t get past. Then for no reason whatsoever, pulled level to my car and drove at the same speed as me so I had no way to get around. He actually had to slow down to do this

can have the radio on to keep my mind busy rather than having to drive aggressively or constantly lane change across all three lanes to keep myself actively stimulated during a boring drive

That isn’t the reason for changing lanes so you’re always in the correct one. Bloody hell, no wonder driving is so bloody frustrating these days if people think doing it right is optional so they can be Zen!

@MrsPinkCock

There’s a vast difference between “middle lane hogging” (AKA driving for miles down an empty stretch of motorway) versus staying in the middle lane to overtake a number of vehicles (which may mean you drive there for a couple of minutes, rather than seconds).

E.g. - lorries in the left lane driving at 60. Perfectly acceptable to drive at 70 in the middle lane until you are past the entire row of them before you move back in, particularly as it can often take a while before there’s a safe space to move back into during rush hour where we live. Some people on this thread seem to think they’re expected to overtake one vehicle at a time in lane 1, which just isn’t the case!

Don’t get me started on the prick I encountered yesterday though. He was behind me on the entry slip road. I entered the motorway, indicated to overtake the lorry in front, and he moved quickly into lane 2 when he saw me indicate so I couldn’t get past. Then for no reason whatsoever, pulled level to my car and drove at the same speed as me so I had no way to get around. He actually had to slow down to do this

I entirely agree with your second paragraph. It is frankly ludicrous that anyone would think that someone should move in a zig-zag pattern in and out of lanes 1 and 2 when there are clearly a grouping of slow moving goods vehicles that could be overtaken in a single manoeuvre. In this kind of situation you judge, move past the group, then move back in when it's clear surely.

Such people are extreme and I don't really think they're on this thread in great numbers. If someone thinks this way they have not really understand the Highway Code and it's guidance on overtaking.

The people I am taking umbrage with are those who just stay in the middle lane. They know who they are, we know who they are, it's all a matter of choice. They choose never to move back in unless it's their exit junction.

As for the man who tried to immediately "swoop" out into lane 2 and block you from your manoeuvre, what an absolute fool. Some people use their car as a form of projection to try and bully others with. Small minded is too good a term.

My nearest motorway is 4 lanes. I tend to use it off peak and there's often a hogger doing 69mph in lane 3. If I can be arsed, to make the point I will overtake from lane 1 to lane 4 and back to lane 1. The motorway is quiet enough to do that

Contantly passing a string of slower traffic in lane 1 is fine, it's over taking. Just pull in and let lane 2 clear a bit when there is sufficient gap. That gives other people stuck behind the lorries chance to pull into lane 2 rather than being stuck in for miles by the rolling roadblock.

If a motorway is fairly congested, I find it easier to stick with lane 1 and enjoy the larger stopping distances than in the other lanes where they're higher speeds with less distance.

Pass plus was well worth doing. 6 hours of motorway tutition in one of the busiest parts of the UK network. I was told to pull in when you can see the overtaken vehicle appear in your rear view, that way you've given enough stopping distance, particularly if it's a heavy vehicle.

Middle lane hogging creates the wall of traffic that makes it harder for other drivers to observe good lane discipline in lanes 1 and 3/ 4.

"Weaving" is a word I reserve for the impatient bastards that tailgate and slice into any gap they can at excessive speed regardless of conditions including frequent undertaking. The one benefit of this style of driver is that they are a good reminder of the importance of checking your mirrors constantly.

I don't want to be trapped between 2 giant lorries, plus constantly moving into the middle for cars joining at junctions.I'm usually up and down the M1 and all lanes are packed most of the way up anyway.

I love how we are at page 15 and there's still a healthy number of posts saying:
A) But drive in the middle lane when overtaking slower moving traffic in the left lane! Why should I have to slow down or be trapped with lorries when I'm going quicker than them?
B) I hog the middle lane because I like being in the middle lane / the highway code doesn't apply to me

Hint, if you do A then you're not middle lane hogging. You're doing the delightfully boringly correct thing by driving left unless overtaking. Don't get defensive.

Argh! Embarrassingly I was one of these drivers thinking that I was doing the right thing until my sister was in the car with me and asked why I was doing it! Felt silly!
But I guess I was never taught it, and went with the assumption the right was for overtaking and the other two it didn’t matter what you were in.

@lalafafa

I don't want to be trapped between 2 giant lorries, plus constantly moving into the middle for cars joining at junctions.I'm usually up and down the M1 and all lanes are packed most of the way up anyway.

Wow.

I remember once driving down an empty stretch of the M1 and there was someone pootling along the 3rd lane.

@NotTheCatsWhiskers

I remember once driving down an empty stretch of the M1 and there was someone pootling along the 3rd lane.

It happens all the time at night; I first noticed it on the M5 on the way from Exeter to Bristol in the early hours, back in the mid 1980s. Empty road ahead apart from one set of tail-lights, then the realisation as I came closer that whoever it was was doing sixty or so in lane 2, with no other traffic but the two of us on the road.

On the M25 when it is almost empty at night apart from a few lorries in lane 1 it's a toss-up whether the car-lights ahead on their own will be in lane 2 or lane 3 in any of the four-lane sections. This might be because sometimes lane 1 becomes a slip-road off the motorway (but one does get warned about that quite a long way in advance) or because there might be pot-holes in lane 1, or just that the trees on the verge might suddenly turn out to be highwaymen with matchlock pistols, I have never been sure. I give such drivers as much room as I can, since I have every reason to think they might be more-or-less asleep at the wheel and am fairly sure they won;t be aware there is another car on their road.

just that the trees on the verge might suddenly turn out to be highwaymen with matchlock pistols, I have never been sure.

You say that like it is a laughing matter, but it has happened to me on two separate occasions on the M4 west of Cardiff.

I hope the Runners caught them after a hair-raising cross-country chase to their hideout near Creigiau.

After watching closely the behaviour on the M8 between junctions 30 and 15, I conclude that, yes, it is Wacky races, lots of people drive like wankers, and I'm not one of them.
YMMV

@ChangePart1

There’s an unofficial sense amongst drivers I think that the left lane is the slow lane, designed for lorries and pensioners/nervous drivers, and the middle and right hand lane are for everyone else.

They’re wrong but we all know real life driving customs aren’t necessarily in line with the Highway Code. For example I’ve noticed since COVID barely anyone indicates anymore on roundabouts. At all. I can see two from my house and maybe two out of ten drivers bother to indicate when they’re entering or leaving a roundabout. It frustrates me far mode than middle lane hogging as you often sit wasting time because someone hasn’t indicated they’re leaving at the first exit and looks therefore like they’re going to go past you, when they’re not. It’s just so fucking rude and entitled. The difference between pre and post Covid is astonishing. People have either forgotten how to drive or just don’t give a fuck anymore.

I've. It noticed any difference pre or post Covid. People round me have never indicated at roundabouts. Annoys the crap out of me

[quote Ginuwine]@ChangePart1

You are spot on about roundabouts - it is as bad / worse, I think!

The frustrating thing about roundabout driving post-COVID is that when you're waiting to go straight on and someone's not indicating, but positioned their car while driving as if they are doing the same on the opposite side; then suddenly swing around to turn right and then glare at you as if you're meant to be a mind reader

Indicating helps traffic flow. Keeping lane discipline helps traffic flow

The funny thing is, I actually think smart motorways exist partly because this "choose a lane and feel safer" mentality has led to two or three rows of bunched up traffic causing congestion, and therefore more capacity needed. [/quote]
Whilst I agree with your rant, I don't agree with your conclusion that 3 full lanes is due to middle lane/scared to change lane hoggers. Around the M25, the traffic is so heavy that the lane system doesn't work. You can't change lanes when all lanes are full. And when all lanes are full, different lanes slow down and/or stop independently of each other due to issues up ahead. 3 full bumper to bumper lanes means everyone in it together

I'm a roundabout indicator, it bugs me when others don't indicate.
honeybuns007
Yep, the M8 doesn't work to the highway code either.
Its not the most sensible or safest way to drive it.
Of course you'd start by doing that your first time on it, but surely a good driver knows how to adapt quickly and realise that it's not going to work, and if you watch the other traffic closely there's generally a reason why none of them are keeping to the code either.
It's local code if you like, or experience of that road code.
Generally you'd be best to follow it.

Because they’re shit drivers and don’t realise it.

Driving in the middle or fast lane is for overtaking/making progress ahead of slower moving traffic, as soon as the left hand lane is clear you should move back in again

The M8 really does have its own rules, and just as you think you’ve nailed not accidentally leaving at a junction you don’t want you discover the one you do want is on the right. The thing that annoys me there is that drivers that insist on speeding make it unnecessarily difficult for everyone else to negotiate all the appearing and disappearing lanes. I suppose it’s because they know the road well but it adds a layer of difficulty for everyone else, especially on those right hand exits.

The right hand exits are awful when you don't know.
The first time I had to suddenly get across four lanes of traffic I was shaking like a leaf with pure white knuckles gripping the steering wheel!
The whole stretch through Glasgow is a pita but once you know, you know so I am very forgiving as once you watch, it's fairly clear who doesn't know and who is being a wanker.
That said, I now have no time for wankers and if I want out, I'm getting out, even in my Mini!
Baptism of fire

My absolute bugbear OP and middle lane hoggers would be first in my Room 101

I drove on the M25 on Sunday. There are 4 lanes at the sectional I drove on. The left hand 2 were empty and everyone was crammed into the outside 2. lane 3 was full of those doodling along at 55/60 and everyone trying to overtake bunched up in the outside lane constantly braking

I always move back to the left hand lane when I've finished overtaking and lost count t of the times I've had to move out across 2 or 3 lanes to go past some muppet blindly driving in lane 2 or 3 with no one on the inside of them for miles

@NotTheCatsWhiskers

I remember once driving down an empty stretch of the M1 and there was someone pootling along the 3rd lane.

Yep I've done the same. Driving back from Gatwick in the early hours of the morning I was in lane 1 doing 70 and there were almost no other cars on the road apart from a few others firmly stuck lanes 3 and 4 driving well under the speed limit - me in lane one was driving faster than both

I hate it as well when people sit in the outer lane of a dual carriageway and won't move over even when there's a queue of traffic stuck behind them
Its not right but I saw a woman doing 50 in the outer lane being undertaken by several cars and yet she still carried on staring blindly ahead not budging, speeding up or getting the hint

I truly don’t get it. I feel v overexposed in the middle lane (cars either side or you!). I feel far safer overtaking safely - using mirrors and indicators and plenty of time factoring in stopping distances, that I would do pootling along in the middle lane.

Safely overtaking does not = ‘weaving’