Middle lane - how did you know?

[Graasspp]

Who taught you to stay left unless overtaking on the motorway?

How did all these utter counts not learn this?

For me it was my dad who told me.

Aibu to wonder how this ignorance prevails daily?

I was to discover that leaving an emergency corridor (between lane 1 and 2) on dual carriage roads with slow moving traffic is not in the highway code.

I knew a woman who told me her husband advised her to “Always drive in the middle lane so you can escape either left or right if necessary”.

(I bet he said “either the fast lane or the slow lane” but have no evidence for this suspicion.)

As my older son is fond of saying - imagine the average person in the street, and then think that 50% of the population is less intelligent than that.

There are a lot of stupid people around. And yes, a lot of rubbish drivers who can't handle overtaking and are intimidated by lorries. Or who think there is a "fast lane" and a "slow lane".

I did my Pass Plus so went down the motorway but surely it is just common bloody sense! My commute to work down the M4 once a week is full of them.....and don't even get me started on lanes and roundabouts! 😂

No you didn't.

In the post that I quoted you posted a picture which had the different lane marking between lane 1 & 2, but in that example lane 1 does peel off.

I'm asking for an example of where you get the same kind of road-markings that I've drawn a red arrow pointing to in this picture, where a lane does not peel off.

oh sorry, I don't think there are any? I don't see why there would be with it being a diving line for a new road/junction exit?

I wasn't the poster that said there was though? (I've quoted the original post below) My picture was replying to someone who said they'd never seen ANY different types of lane markers at junctions, so didn't think there was such a thing, obviously there are but whether that is what the poster below was talking about is another story!

enchantedsquirrelwood · Today 10:41

There are also rules about not changing lanes within x metres of a junction, that's why the lane markings change. If it was safe to change lanes continually, those rules would not apply.

Ah, I think I've somehow conflated your posts with someone else's - sorry for that

Having said that, regarding
There are also rules about not changing lanes within x metres of a junction, that's why the lane markings change. If it was safe to change lanes continually, those rules would not apply.
Can you point me at the rule(s) in question in the Highway Code please? A quick search doesn't find any

No worries, easily done!

you'd probably have to ask @enchantedsquirrelwood about not changing lanes within x metres of a junction, as it's nothing I've ever heard of before.. I assumed when they said that they were referring to filter lanes and how you shouldn't be using them as normal motorway lanes once the markings change, but that's obvious to anyone with eyeballs, so not so sure that's what they mean?

Damnit, I've done it again haven't I? Sorry @sandyhappypeople

How do the lane markings on the carriageway change at a junction? Not seen this ever on any motorway

Next time you are on one, take a good look.

They are not filter lanes - the markings between the lanes on the motorways change within x metres of the junction.

I should confess I didn't know this myself until a few years ago when a paramedic friend with an advanced driving licence told me. Then it was obvious.

It shouldn't need to be though, it should be common sense. But people don't have any, and are too scared of motorbikes daring to overtake.

For those struggling with the concept of this (@enchantedsquirrelwood) .. at this point in the picture the left lane is marked to indicate that it is branching off, and you should treat this lane as a single file road if you're going that way, the 3 lanes on the right are a continuation of the motorway you are travelling on and unless signage says differently, you can still change lanes on those 3 lanes

Not what I am talking about. But as I am not on a motorway currently I can't take a photo of what I mean. Maybe on Saturday as I will be a passenger in a car then and can take a photo and come back to this thread.

Funny, the coaches on my rounds are not better. They middle lane hog quite a bit. I think it's because on a busy road it's so much harder for them to pull out because when there is a long stretch they do move over.

It's a case by case basis but I normally find a fast moving one and stick with it. No matter what... there is always a faster one!

I can't find the post to tag now but it was about not being allowed to change lanes x metres before a junction. I don't know about that but when motorways do separate or merge, you'll notice a solid white line on the slip roads. That's when you can't cross - a solid white line anywhere signifies you must not cross, the same as the solid white line on single lane carriageway where visibility isn't good enough. That's why the lines become longer and/or the gaps shorten when there is a hazard or filter lane. The closer to solid the line is, the bigger the hazard.

@enchantedsquirrelwood I think I may have figured out what you’re referring to.. the white dividing lines on a normal single lane road become more elongated with less gaps before you come to a ‘hazard’ of some kind, here’s the rule on it in the Highway Code:

Rule 127A broken white line. This marks the centre of the road. When this line lengthens and the gaps shorten, it means that there is a hazard ahead. Do not cross it unless you can see the road is clear and wish to overtake or turn off.

is this what you mean where you friend said you shouldn’t overtake in that area?

i don’t think this rule is the same for multi lane roads though? It’s for single lane roads to warn you there’s a hazard ahead that you may not be able to see yet.

No that isn't what I mean, it's on motorways. The length of the markings between the lanes gets longer or shorter (can't remember which).

I thought of another reason why people might sit in the second lane this morning and that's the fact that the lorries can churn up the inside lane with their weight and create "tram lines" and if you have a small (or any) car, you don't want to end up in them.

I do think some of the frustrations on here come from motorway design. They should be built to withstand lorries, and lanes shouldn't keep disappearing and appearing again.

I've also seen a lorry "middle lane sitting" but actually what it was doing was getting over to the third lane on a four lane motorway because it needed lanes 3 or 4 to continue on the motorway it was on, rather than going onto the M25. This happens a lot. It is annoying when people move too early (this guy did it about 2 miles before!) but I can understand why they do it and if it's a choice between that and a last minute lane change, I'd rather them go early (maybe not that early!)

But as I said at the outset I see very little genuine middle lane sitting - motorways are simply too busy for the inside lane to be clear most of the time.

No that isn't what I mean, it's on motorways. The length of the markings between the lanes gets longer or shorter (can't remember which).
I drove home one junction on the motorway last night and looked very carefully for this. No change in lane markings. Just followed half a mile of a randomly selected other motorway on Street View up to a junction. Also no change.

@enchantedsquirrelwood

That's another one that's a feeder lane by the looks of it. Not a standard junction.

It's just obvious. That's how a motorway, or any road works.

Fly higher.
And there is where the problem lies.. you might not have had an accident but you might easily cause some.. you should NOT be driving if you don't know the highway code.. l used to work for Road Safety department.
Gosh how stupid are you to think only of yourself when driving.
You should be banned.

I use the left lane where possible and the others to overtake, but the aggression of some drivers if you don’t pull over fast enough is so bloody dangerous. And by that, I mean as soon as you are clear of the car you are overtaking.

some drivers ( mainly Audis) seem to think that no one is allowed out the left hand lane unless they are doing 100. Sick of them coming right up my arse in the middle lane, while I’m over taking 5 or 6 lorries. They do this even when other outside lanes are clear. It’s so dangerous.

I think the problem with roads is that any thicko can drive a car. You forget they exist, if you don’t work or socialise with these morons.

Can you get fined for hogging the middle lane?
Is middle lane hogging illegal? Middle lane hogging is classed as a traffic offence under 'careless driving' legislation—it's therefore illegal. Offenders risk the wrath of the law, as well as the annoyance of other motorists, when they fail to keep left.

Can you get fined for hogging the middle lane?
Is middle lane hogging illegal? Middle lane hogging is classed as a traffic offence under 'careless driving' legislation—it's therefore illegal. Offenders risk the wrath of the law, as well as the annoyance of other motorists, when they fail to keep left.

Can you get fined for hogging the middle lane?
Is middle lane hogging illegal? Middle lane hogging is classed as a traffic offence under 'careless driving' legislation—it's therefore illegal. Offenders risk the wrath of the law, as well as the annoyance of other motorists, when they fail to keep left.

You need to educate yourself or stay off the roads.. you are a danger to yourself and others.
I used to work for the road safety department.
What a dick you are. I am so so mad at you!!!!