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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

What is with people speeding and getting cross in the left lane…?

44 replies

VisaQuestions · 02/04/2022 20:28

I run an old diesel. Lovely fuel economy at 68mph roughly so I tend to stick there, rather than waste fuel. Obviously I speed up or slow in response to a need and drive sensibly, but I’m relaxed and will potter along. If the roads busy I do keep to the speed of the road, Im not awkward.

However, even on an empty motorway with even 3 empty lanes to my right some people insist on driving up behind me at around 80mph, then braking and tailgating. Even flashing their lights. I don’t move faster, I point to the lovely empty lane to my right.

No one else in sight, it still happened repeatedly to me the other day.

What is the logic? Why? I drive back through France, and it only started after Dover (I think the road was so empty as Dover was gridlocked! No escape)

OP posts:

LardyDee · 02/04/2022 20:40

Does this happen just before an exit from the motorway? Could they just be impatient for the exit, but don't want to overtake?

Otherwise I have no idea - it's never happened to me and I drive in a similar way.

oohmamama · 02/04/2022 20:48

Sure all your lights are working properly?

LardyDee · 02/04/2022 20:54

Do you put your rear fog lights on at all times, just to be on the safe side?

Could you car in fact have been on fire?

BattledoreAndShuttlecock · 02/04/2022 20:57

Is your speedometer accurate? If it's reading fast and you're actually going at 62 then that might explain some of the behaviour (though obviously a reasonable person who saw another person driving at 62 on a quiet motorway would just shrug and overtake).

Indicatrice · 02/04/2022 21:13

I’ve never seen this, people generally leave the left hand lane drivers alone, it’s the middle lane hoggers that get the wrath.

Pyri · 02/04/2022 21:14

@Indicatrice

I’ve never seen this, people generally leave the left hand lane drivers alone, it’s the middle lane hoggers that get the wrath.

Agree with this!

Original poster

VisaQuestions · 02/04/2022 21:17

I’d say my speedometer is accurate, for example I’m out pacing trucks comfortably rather than annoying them and in average speed check areas I’m in line with everyone else.

My lights are fine. I maintain the car well (and when my brake lights did fail once people certainly were quick to make me aware!!!)

If I was on fire it’d be resolved by now

Fog lights require a faff I’d notice

I’m quite reasonable at exits and will not go slower than the flow or be awkward

The only thing I can suggest is the car looks like (and is) a 20 yr old banger being driven by a woman? I go to Essex too much?

OP posts:

Perfect28 · 02/04/2022 21:17

Are you as far over to the left as possible or cruising in a middle lane but think it's OK because it's quiet?

Original poster

VisaQuestions · 02/04/2022 21:18

I’m no middle lane hog, give me an empty open road and I’m so happy on the left I hate the m25 and lane filters 😂

OP posts:

thistimelastweek · 02/04/2022 21:18

I too have never seen this.

In fact, I rarely see this behind the 'kings of the road ' ( middle lane hoggers).

Original poster

VisaQuestions · 02/04/2022 21:20

To be fair it’s the M20, M2, M11 and A12 that account for 99% of the time I see this.

OP posts:

Psuedoshoes · 02/04/2022 21:21

Very weird! I used to do a ridiculous amount of motorway miles and never experienced this, other than when I had a tail light out and nearly every single car flashed to alert me

OnTheBoardwalk · 02/04/2022 21:25

What about if cars are trying to join the motorway?

Do you do the average speed and move to the middle lane or stay in the left making it difficult for them to judge your speed?

Original poster

VisaQuestions · 02/04/2022 21:54

If someone is speed matching me on an entry slip I obviously go right if I can, or whatever else is possible to be sensible.

Honestly, just wondering about the weirdos who race up behind you and then don’t overtake- nothing else

OP posts:

LardyDee · 02/04/2022 22:12

Are you maybe a foxy laydee? Even from behind?

KeyErro · 02/04/2022 22:16

M11... is this near the Loughton exit?
Some horrible driving near there

LubaLuca · 02/04/2022 22:26

@Indicatrice

I’ve never seen this, people generally leave the left hand lane drivers alone, it’s the middle lane hoggers that get the wrath.

Absolutely this. I've never seen anyone react to slower drivers in lane 1. Are you sure there isn't an issue with your car? Do you sometimes forget to put your lights on at dusk maybe? I can't think why anyone would care about you pootling.

MaddieElla · 02/04/2022 22:36

Yeah, very strange. I'd have no problem with someone driving at whatever speed they liked in the left lane. It's the right lanes/fast lanes that get annoying and you're not driving slower in those.

Bewildered. Carry on as you are.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 02/04/2022 22:58

I've witnessed this quite a bit - when being the slow driver on occasion for whatever reason or (more often) when other people are driving slowly. It just always looks like cowardly bullying to me - somebody who believes themselves to be too important to be held up by you but somehow too stupid or scared to understand the absolute basic purpose of a multi-lane motorway.

They always do it to other, usually small cars too - never try it on with an artic driver who could just touch the brakes and enable them to total their own car with little more than a small bump to the lorry driver.

LardyDee · 02/04/2022 23:17

@WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll

But it does seem almost inconceivable that anyone on a motorway could fail to understand that they very easily can overtake slower vehicles by going into the lane to the right?

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 02/04/2022 23:47

But it does seem almost inconceivable that anyone on a motorway could fail to understand that they very easily can overtake slower vehicles by going into the lane to the right?

I don't disagree with you! But some people just like to bully and intimidate others and seek pathetic self-validation in whatever way they can.

TimeForTeaAndG · 03/04/2022 00:53

@OnTheBoardwalk

What about if cars are trying to join the motorway?

Do you do the average speed and move to the middle lane or stay in the left making it difficult for them to judge your speed?

There is no need to pull over for those joining the motorway. It is on them to adjust their speed and slip in to the traffic already on the carriageway. When did moving to the right become a thing?! Certainly not when I passed my test 10 years ago.

Tippexy · 03/04/2022 01:29

They do this on an empty motorway?

No they don’t.

Yellownightmare · 03/04/2022 01:36

@WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll

But it does seem almost inconceivable that anyone on a motorway could fail to understand that they very easily can overtake slower vehicles by going into the lane to the right?

I don't disagree with you! But some people just like to bully and intimidate others and seek pathetic self-validation in whatever way they can.

I agree. For some reason, even when there's plenty of space in the lanes to the right, drivers come right up behind you, well inside minimum stopping distance before indicating and overtaking. It's such poor driving.

Even if someone is lane hogging, which I agree is annoying, it's not up to other drivers to police this by driving far too close to them and tailgating.

maddening · 03/04/2022 01:46

Which lane are you in?

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