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AIBU?

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Original poster

Is it you driving in the middle lane of the motorway or outside lane on a dual carriage way?

251 replies

muchalover · 13/09/2023 19:46

Nobody is a perfect driver, including me.

But, why do people drive in the middle lane when they could easily pull in and stop the chaos they are causing behind them? Or pull in instead of driving in the outside lane of a dual carriageway when there is a large gap. On the M25 much of seems to be a fancy dual carriageway with 3 empty inside lanes. Why?

It's like advertising you're a crap driver and not willing to pay attention.

Or am I being unreasonable?

OP posts:
foreverbasil · 13/09/2023 21:05

Has anybody else noticed this problem varies across the country? Much more common around Birmingham and as you travel South. Hardly ever notice it once you go north of Lancaster.

icallitasplodge · 13/09/2023 21:06

BeeEyeEnGeeOh · 13/09/2023 21:03

I stand corrected on the limit then! Will reduce accordingly.
I didn't say I was scared to change lanes. It's a fact that that's when accidents are more likely so better if everyone's not moving across every couple of minutes?

I still don't see what's wrong with it if I'm going at the speed limit. Pretty sure my speedometer is not that inaccurate going by what it says when I drive past those signs that light up with your speed.

Yes. The accidents happen when people moved lanes by RESORTING TO UNDERTAKING BY MIDDLE LANE HOGGERS.

seriously get some lessons

BitOutOfPractice · 13/09/2023 21:06

There is a special inner circle of hell reserved for people who hog middle and, I’m noticing increasingly, the outside lane Shen there are 1, 2, sometimes even 3 lanes empty inside them. It drives me crackers!!!

cakeorwine · 13/09/2023 21:07

AlphaAlpha · 13/09/2023 21:01

YANBU.
The M25 is the worst for this too!
And when you look 3 across, it's nearly always male drivers.
Having driven extensively in France over the summer, I can safely say that although aggressive, the French know how to drive on a motorway.

The French love to indicate whilst overtaking as well. Keep that indicator going before moving back to the inside lane.

They do have less congested motorways as well.

Bagofcrisps · 13/09/2023 21:08

Just to clarify with undertaking. It's not if first lane is for example doing 70 and second lane is doing 50 because of a hogger. That's not undertaking.

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 13/09/2023 21:09

Daftasabroom · 13/09/2023 21:04

If you look at the lane markings they change as s you approach junction to long dash short gap. Which means you should only cross the line if essential and safe to do so.

Show quote history

Yes I know this. However, this is 2 miles before the junction so plenty of time to see the sign and move over. People should not sit in lanes 2 or 3 for their whole journey to avoid this.

randomuser2020 · 13/09/2023 21:09

This reply has been withdrawn

Removed at poster's request due to privacy concerns.

ScarletWitchM · 13/09/2023 21:09

icallitasplodge · 13/09/2023 21:06

Yes. The accidents happen when people moved lanes by RESORTING TO UNDERTAKING BY MIDDLE LANE HOGGERS.

seriously get some lessons

Show quote history

Also accidents caused when inner lane driver try to move to middle lane to overtake and the middle lane hoggers are blocking the way

olivehaters · 13/09/2023 21:10

Ever since I saw that girl get crushed by a lorry while in sitting standing traffic on the inside lane I refuse to stay in that lane.

Spinet · 13/09/2023 21:11

SamW98 · 13/09/2023 21:04

Or people learn to drive in the correct lane negating the need for others slowing down or undertaking.

Show quote history

But what other people do is not within your control and what you do is. First rule of defensive driving (and life tbh). So to drive safely, you can slow down.

Bit scary to think of all these people in control of enormous machines when they're feeling so angry and aggressive.

billysillydilly · 13/09/2023 21:11

I don't like undertaking, seen quite a few near misses which scares me.

icallitasplodge · 13/09/2023 21:11

Bagofcrisps · 13/09/2023 21:08

Just to clarify with undertaking. It's not if first lane is for example doing 70 and second lane is doing 50 because of a hogger. That's not undertaking.

If you move to an empty outside lane to get ahead of someone in the middle, it’s undertaking.

SamW98 · 13/09/2023 21:12

Bagofcrisps · 13/09/2023 21:08

Just to clarify with undertaking. It's not if first lane is for example doing 70 and second lane is doing 50 because of a hogger. That's not undertaking.

Yes that’s absolutely fine I’d the flow of the lane is at a steady speed. Undertaking is basically pulling into the inside of someone to get past them

supersop60 · 13/09/2023 21:12

Not me, but my DP, and wonders why people are overtaking and undertaking him at the same time. After a few rows, I now say nothing and am waiting for the day the police pull him over and fine him £1K

billysillydilly · 13/09/2023 21:13

Also accidents caused when inner lane driver try to move to middle lane to overtake and the middle lane hoggers are blocking the way

I've seen middle lanes moving faster than outer lane & near accidents.

Daftasabroom · 13/09/2023 21:14

BeeEyeEnGeeOh · 13/09/2023 21:03

I stand corrected on the limit then! Will reduce accordingly.
I didn't say I was scared to change lanes. It's a fact that that's when accidents are more likely so better if everyone's not moving across every couple of minutes?

I still don't see what's wrong with it if I'm going at the speed limit. Pretty sure my speedometer is not that inaccurate going by what it says when I drive past those signs that light up with your speed.

It isn't a fact at all. It might be your belief but it isn't a fact.

Safe, steady driving, following the highway code is the best way to prevent accidents.

Speeding and tailgating are much bigger causes.

BeeEyeEnGeeOh · 13/09/2023 21:14

No one has yet explained why it's a problem if you're doing 70 in the middle lane?

Scarfweather · 13/09/2023 21:14

I hear you, OP. Totally irritating and they’re always completely oblivious as you drive past. They never, ever check their mirrors.

YewTree84 · 13/09/2023 21:14

I was talking to my DH about this. I'd volunteer on my days off to go and tell these people off. Give me a police car and I'll fine the lot of them.

mintbiscuit · 13/09/2023 21:15

There is a special place in hell for these people.

billysillydilly · 13/09/2023 21:16

i actually get less annoyed by the middle land hoggers than the outer hoggers. it makes staying on the inner lane & going round them all a pain in the arse

fiddlesticksandotherwords · 13/09/2023 21:16

CheersToMe · 13/09/2023 20:50

It depends on the lane set up.

Smart motorway death lane? I stay out of it. The signs are frequently inaccurate or not working. Risk ploughing into a broken down vehicle? You'd be the idiot.

Know that a lane is soon to become an off slip? Move over in good time. See also drivers who stay in the outside lane then cut in across 2/3 lanes to exit the motorway.

Remember that many drivers use routes regulated and can therefore anticipate and position themselves accordingly. And that includes anticipating how drivers unfamiliar with the road layout are going to react.

Etc

The wallies are those that get in lane 2 and are OBLIVIOUS to what is going on around them.

You make some good points there. I live in a part of the country with a lot of dual carriageways with many junctions. It is either two lanes with the left hand one clogged with lorries, or three lanes with the left-hand one being a feeder lane for the next junction. And since the junctions are only a mile or two apart (often less) the left-hand feeder lane is often the entry lane from the previous junction. It does make things awkward, especially for traffic passing through who don't know the layout. You do also get people undertaking at high speed a lot, not realising that the reason vehicles are in the middle lane is because the drivers know they need to be in it in 100 yards' time anyway.

CoQ10 · 13/09/2023 21:17

BeeEyeEnGeeOh · 13/09/2023 21:14

No one has yet explained why it's a problem if you're doing 70 in the middle lane?

Because you are hindering others from overtaking those in the slow lane or moving from the fast lane to exit the motorway.
It's very dangerous and massively slows the flow of traffic.

If you have ever been to France it just doesn't happen at all. Everyone moves to the slow lane unless they are overtaking. Then they move back.

icallitasplodge · 13/09/2023 21:19

BeeEyeEnGeeOh · 13/09/2023 21:14

No one has yet explained why it's a problem if you're doing 70 in the middle lane?

We have. Here’s the steps.

First understand this. Undertaking is dangerous - a fact recognised by many motorway and driving authorities.

  • you are doing 70 in the middle lane.
  • non idiotic driver doing 70 in “fast lane”
  • she wants to move over.
  • can’t because there is some dick (middle lane hogger) in the middle lane, blocking the way.
  • has to slow down? But cannot as this would mean undertaking ie moving to a left hand land with faster traffic in it.
  • the person can move over when the opportunity arises but this may mean a faster loving vehicle approaching from behind

ergo you are forcing people to do dangerous practise as you’re too afraid to do it right. There are videos on YouTube also.

icallitasplodge · 13/09/2023 21:20

My last point is when the crash happens caused by… oh that’s you!