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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think people should move to the left lane when not overtaking on the motorway?

278 replies

AnotherMalbecPlease · 25/10/2022 18:19

I’ve been doing a lot of motorway driving recently and have noticed that so many drivers to not move over when they can. On a 4 lane stretch of the M25 today, there was a driver doing 50 in the third lane - massive gap in the second lane - it caused chaos - why not just move over?

OP posts:
GladysPew · 26/10/2022 09:10

I have a theory about drivers that lane hog whilst driving too slowly. I wonder if these drivers don't have a driving licence and/or are uninsured. They are often seen gripping the steering wheel, sat up close to the steering wheel staring ahead. I think they think that by staying in the middle lane they are not having to get involved with any traffic entering the motorway from the left ( or right, as in the unusual situation on the M60 at the Bredbury Junction) and reduce the risk of a collision.

knittingaddict · 26/10/2022 09:10

Sparklingbrook · 26/10/2022 08:29

I think the inside lane is often referred to as the ‘slow lane’ because that’s generally where the slowest traffic is. Just as the outside Lane is sometimes called the ‘fast lane’.

And that sums up the problem nicely. Calling them slow or fast lanes makes ignorant drivers believe that they are driving in the correct lane because of the speed they are travelling at or gives jusitfication to those who using motorways incorrectly.

JustLyra · 26/10/2022 09:12

GladysPew · 26/10/2022 09:10

I have a theory about drivers that lane hog whilst driving too slowly. I wonder if these drivers don't have a driving licence and/or are uninsured. They are often seen gripping the steering wheel, sat up close to the steering wheel staring ahead. I think they think that by staying in the middle lane they are not having to get involved with any traffic entering the motorway from the left ( or right, as in the unusual situation on the M60 at the Bredbury Junction) and reduce the risk of a collision.

I actually think it’s because of the ridiculous notion that everyone should drive.

You see it all the time, even on here, people who are crippled with fear about driving or feel they’ve no spatial awareness or are very uncoordinated or get panicky about it are told just to “practice, practice, practice”.

Whereas in reality there are a lot of drivers who are simply unsafe and it would be far better if driving was seen like other skills and it socially acceptable to say “I can’t drive, I was terrible at it”.

Original poster
AnotherMalbecPlease · 26/10/2022 09:12

LaGioconda · 26/10/2022 08:41

It is dangerous. Before making a manoeuvre people look to their right to check for people overtaking; they don't look to their left to check for undertakers, so the potential for a collision is much greater.

Show quote history

Umm - I always check my mirror when moving to the lane to the left of me - seems a sensible way to drive to me!!

OP posts:
BIWI · 26/10/2022 09:14

@LaGioconda

Before making a manoeuvre people look to their right to check for people overtaking; they don't look to their left to check for undertakers

Were you not taught "mirror, signal, manoeuvre" when you learnt to drive?!

You should check your mirror whichever lane you're moving into.

etulosba · 26/10/2022 09:18

Were you not taught "mirror, signal, manoeuvre" when you learnt to drive?!

That’s another kettle of fish… people who can’t be arsed to indicate when changing lanes on a motorway.

NippyWoowoo · 26/10/2022 09:40

CrispsnDips · 26/10/2022 08:58

I made a point at looking at the driver on the M5 hogging the middle lane with acres of space on the inside lane/huge tailback behind her. She was a girl in her 30’s totally oblivious to everything.

Had to check in case it was someone who had died at the wheel 😳

All these posters looking, glaring long and hard etc at drivers that they're overtaking, are you not aware how dangerous that is to be taking your eyes of the road when going at such high speeds?

MsTSwift · 26/10/2022 09:45

Sorry disagree with earlier poster but it’s usually men! Of all ages! Occasionally women but usually men.

MrsSkylerWhite · 26/10/2022 09:46

Because they’re terrible drivers.

MsTSwift · 26/10/2022 09:46

A quick glare an eyeroll and yours ears will be burning from the slagging off to others in my car you will be getting from me !

CrispsnDips · 26/10/2022 09:48

I was glaring but I was a passenger 😁 so NOT dangerous!

MorrisZapp · 26/10/2022 09:57

The highway code also says observe the posted speed limit and always leave breaking distance, but most drivers think that doesn't apply to them.

CulturePigeon · 26/10/2022 10:10

Oh God, yes! But there are so many dozy people who talk about 'the slow lane' and ' the fast lane'. Honestly...

They are overtaking lanes, so get back in once you've overtaken. I've seen the most ridiculous things in the middle (and even outside lanes) plodding along: huge car-carriers, low-loaders with portakabins on.

MInd you, I do wonder now we've got smart motorways, and so many fourth lanes which often veer off - when you're in that fourth 'inside lane' - do the same rules apply - you often need to undertake there. Must gen up on the new HC!!

knittingaddict · 26/10/2022 10:36

NippyWoowoo · 26/10/2022 09:40

All these posters looking, glaring long and hard etc at drivers that they're overtaking, are you not aware how dangerous that is to be taking your eyes of the road when going at such high speeds?

Show quote history

Maybe they are the passengers when they are looking at mid lane hoggers and dangerously slow drivers. I know I am.

Eastangular2000 · 26/10/2022 10:49

Itsokay2020 · 26/10/2022 08:51

It gives me the rage that road users don’t exercise proper lane discipline! I despair at driving standards in the UK.

There are also those who leave a big gap between them and the car in front and make it easy for people to undertake and take advantage of the gap, while the rest of us adhere to the Highway Code and wait ‘patiently’ behind. For goodness sake, remove the ambiguity, close the gap and stay alert!

Lane discipline generally is appalling, roundabouts have seemingly been renamed ‘straight-across-abouts’ in my neck of the woods. And can I give a special mention to the ones who, on a two-lane approach to a roundabout, are in lane two on the approach but exit the roundabout into lane one, paying no attention to the existing vehicles in lane one… insanely dangerous!

I’ve been driving for many, many years, still check my mirrors every three seconds, know the car behind me, beside me (if applicable), and I am constantly watching the car which is three or four ahead of me (unless I can’t see past the vehicle in front). I would be in full support of driver retests every so many years.

‘Close the gap’ what sort of an idiot are you. Morons pulling directly in front of me after overtaking is one of my pet hates.

Squirelnutkins · 26/10/2022 10:51

@Itsokay2020 There are also those who leave a big gap between them and the car in front and make it easy for people to undertake and take advantage of the gap, while the rest of us adhere to the Highway Code and wait ‘patiently’ behind. For goodness sake, remove the ambiguity, close the gap and stay alert!

You do realise that many of us who are driving really long distances use adaptive cruise control and the the cars inbuild radar system leaves the correct stopping distance between you and the car in front. The gap is not here for some impatient idiot to cut you up from the inside when they are weaving across all lanes to get in front of every one at break neck speeds.

HangOnToYourself · 26/10/2022 10:52

LaGioconda · 26/10/2022 08:44

I'm curious, what does she think the middle lane is for if she thinks no-one is allowed to drive in it?

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Honestly your guess is as good as mine, the woman is barmy 😁

ArialAnna · 26/10/2022 10:55

IMO there aren't actually many true lane hoggers around (driving at 50 in the middle). I normally only notice one per hour or two on average. But lots of people take an overly literal view of stay in the left unless you are overtaking actually means when you add some common sense to it. My sister thinks I don't stay on the left enough, but if I have overtaken someone, am driving at over 70mph and I can see that I'm likely to catch up to the next vehicle on the left in under a minute, then of course I stay in the middle lane. If there is a decent stretch where it is clear, I move to the left lane. Darting in and out of traffic every minute on a busy motorway is much more dangerous.

What makes me laugh is those righteous plonkers who make a big show of overtaking you on the right and immediately after cut back in front of you (sometimes forcing you to break slightly) only to then immediately get stuck behind the car in front of them and have to pull out again! I.e. this is the speed the middle lane is naturally at while we all consistently overtake traffic on the left. Just do us all a favour and stay in the right lane for a bit!

Squirelnutkins · 26/10/2022 10:57

ArialAnna · 26/10/2022 10:55

IMO there aren't actually many true lane hoggers around (driving at 50 in the middle). I normally only notice one per hour or two on average. But lots of people take an overly literal view of stay in the left unless you are overtaking actually means when you add some common sense to it. My sister thinks I don't stay on the left enough, but if I have overtaken someone, am driving at over 70mph and I can see that I'm likely to catch up to the next vehicle on the left in under a minute, then of course I stay in the middle lane. If there is a decent stretch where it is clear, I move to the left lane. Darting in and out of traffic every minute on a busy motorway is much more dangerous.

What makes me laugh is those righteous plonkers who make a big show of overtaking you on the right and immediately after cut back in front of you (sometimes forcing you to break slightly) only to then immediately get stuck behind the car in front of them and have to pull out again! I.e. this is the speed the middle lane is naturally at while we all consistently overtake traffic on the left. Just do us all a favour and stay in the right lane for a bit!

This.....

Shitzngiggles · 26/10/2022 11:30

So someone leaving a safe gap from the car in front is in the wrong. I've heard it all now.

MavisChunch29 · 26/10/2022 11:32

What makes me laugh is those righteous plonkers who make a big show of overtaking you on the right and immediately after cut back in front of you (sometimes forcing you to break slightly) only to then immediately get stuck behind the car in front of them and have to pull out again! I.e. this is the speed the middle lane is naturally at while we all consistently overtake traffic on the left. Just do us all a favour and stay in the right lane for a bit!

Yes I agree. And usually they don't appreciate that you are doing a perfectly acceptable speed while overtaking in the middle lane because they have driven up behind you far too fast. And I know where all the speed camera sections are on most motorways - you get a ticket if you like mate, I'll not join you in bombing down the road at 80+ if you don't mind.

MavisChunch29 · 26/10/2022 11:33

Aagh, people who pull in front and leave a (then) unsafe stopping distance are the worst.

Sparklingbrook · 26/10/2022 11:34

I drove on a bit of motorway yesterday that had the chevrons and it requested you keep 2 chevrons apart. Most were sticking to it but some knobheads believed it wasn’t for them. 🙄
People drive way too close, my car has a symbol come up on the dash if it thinks I am too close to the car in front but that’s closer than I would want to be anyway.

lentilly · 26/10/2022 11:35

Sparklingbrook · 26/10/2022 11:34

I drove on a bit of motorway yesterday that had the chevrons and it requested you keep 2 chevrons apart. Most were sticking to it but some knobheads believed it wasn’t for them. 🙄
People drive way too close, my car has a symbol come up on the dash if it thinks I am too close to the car in front but that’s closer than I would want to be anyway.

I swear some people speed up to make sure they are 2 chevrons apart

AtomHeartMotherOfGod · 26/10/2022 11:37

They should, of course.

Some people have a delusional idea that they are safer with 'two ways to go' and so sit in the middle. Of course they endanger themselves and everyone else far more by encouraging undertaking and being a distraction.

I love driving on French autoroutes as everyone has a very clear idea of how to use the overtaking lanes!