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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To overtake on the inside?

172 replies

MerryMarigold · 19/12/2023 22:36

There I am driving down the M11. I overtake a lorry so I'm in the middle lane but there is no one in the left lane so I move back over. I'm driving about 65 but there are so many people hogging the middle lane that they are going slower than the far left lane and so I overtake them on the inside. I felt bad but WIBU?

OP posts:
IWishThatICouldBeWorryFree · 19/12/2023 22:38

The danger is they panic, realise the should be in the inside lane so do a manoeuvre and then take you out.
It’s very frustrating. I hate lane hoggers!

YireosDodeAver · 19/12/2023 22:42

I don't know if yabu but if you are then I am too. Can't stand middle lane hoggers who aren't overtaking anyone. If they are too nervous to change lanes as needed then they shouldn't be on the motorway.

Sometimes I "undertake" as per your op but if I can be arsed it's more satisfying to overtake them in the 3rd lane then immediately indicate to pull in front of them and then immediately back into the left hand lane, all the while going at least 10mph faster than them, which sometimes successfullly shames them into pulling over into the correct lane.

rwalker · 19/12/2023 22:46

Shitty driving undertaking

QuestionableMouse · 19/12/2023 22:48

You know you're BU. Undertaking is illegal for very good reason!

Yes people shouldn't be sitting in the middle lane but two wrongs don't make a right!

pponk · 19/12/2023 22:49

it's annoying but you've risked your life there by doing it. not worth it when you could just get yourself in the outside lane to overtake them if needed.

Plsdiscuss · 19/12/2023 22:53

Depends if you were weaving in and out or not.

From West Yorkshire police website

"ON MOTORWAYS
Rule 268 of the Highway Code states – do not overtake on the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake. In congested conditions, where adjacent lanes of traffic are moving at similar speeds, traffic in left-hand lanes may sometimes be moving faster than traffic to the right. In these conditions you may keep up with the traffic in your lane even if this means passing traffic in the lane to your right. Do not weave in and out of lanes to overtake."

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 19/12/2023 23:00

it's more satisfying to overtake them in the 3rd lane then immediately indicate to pull in front of them and then immediately back into the left hand lane, all the while going at least 10mph faster than them, which sometimes successfullly shames them into pulling over into the correct lane.

^^ this is not only more satisfying but also what you’re meant to do!

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 19/12/2023 23:00

Unless in congestion as a pp has said

CanIExtend · 19/12/2023 23:07

You’re not “overtaking” as you haven’t pulled out to overtake them. You’re just driving in your lane at (what I assume to be) a constant speed. There just happens to be someone who doesn’t know how to drive properly on a part of the road near you.

MissBuffyAnneSummers · 19/12/2023 23:09

This reply has been deleted

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JemimaTiggywinkles · 19/12/2023 23:11

Driving at an appropriate speed in the left hand lane is sensible. I think pulling from there to the third lane and then immediately back to the left is more dangerous.

I do wish there were the equivalent of speed cameras to deal with middle lane drivers though. Particularly on 4 lane motorways.

Flickersy · 19/12/2023 23:11

QuestionableMouse · 19/12/2023 22:48

You know you're BU. Undertaking is illegal for very good reason!

Yes people shouldn't be sitting in the middle lane but two wrongs don't make a right!

Undertaking is not illegal, however depending on circumstances it may constitute dangerous driving.

There are a number of situations where undertaking is legitimate, such as congestion, right filter lanes and so on. Making it illegal would be nonsensical.

AmethystSparkles · 19/12/2023 23:12

I’m a sensible driver…some would say that I’m too slow but the Highway Code says that 60mph on a motorway is perfectly fine (under 55 is not). I find that if I pull into the middle lane to help people joining the motorway, I can’t get back into the slow lane because idiots people are undertaking.

Not helped by the fact that people joining the motorway think that it’s a great idea to join in a big clump, leaving people little choice but to slow down or move.

Nocturna · 19/12/2023 23:12

You haven’t undertook anyone. This isn’t undertaking. Undertaking would be if you were also driving in the middle lane, then moved to the left to drive faster and go back to the middle.
You’ve drove correctly in the left lane within the speed limit.

Crazy how many comments on here are condemning this incorrectly as undertaking

MrsF111 · 19/12/2023 23:13

CanIExtend · 19/12/2023 23:07

You’re not “overtaking” as you haven’t pulled out to overtake them. You’re just driving in your lane at (what I assume to be) a constant speed. There just happens to be someone who doesn’t know how to drive properly on a part of the road near you.

This. You are just driving in the correct lane, you aren’t overtaking unless you pull back out in front of them.

Flickersy · 19/12/2023 23:14

AmethystSparkles · 19/12/2023 23:12

I’m a sensible driver…some would say that I’m too slow but the Highway Code says that 60mph on a motorway is perfectly fine (under 55 is not). I find that if I pull into the middle lane to help people joining the motorway, I can’t get back into the slow lane because idiots people are undertaking.

Not helped by the fact that people joining the motorway think that it’s a great idea to join in a big clump, leaving people little choice but to slow down or move.

The drivers joining from the slip road have the responsibility to join safely. If you are not comfortable driving in the middle lane at an appropriate speed, you shouldn't pull over.

Cricketbelle · 19/12/2023 23:15

Middle lane drivers infuriate me so much.

They slow everything down!!

christmaspaws · 19/12/2023 23:19

Nocturna · 19/12/2023 23:12

You haven’t undertook anyone. This isn’t undertaking. Undertaking would be if you were also driving in the middle lane, then moved to the left to drive faster and go back to the middle.
You’ve drove correctly in the left lane within the speed limit.

Crazy how many comments on here are condemning this incorrectly as undertaking

That ^^ it's not under taking

IGotItFromSanta · 19/12/2023 23:20

the Highway Code says that 60mph on a motorway is perfectly fine (under 55 is not)

I was trying to find where it said that, but can’t see it anywhere. Do you know which rule it is, as I must have missed it!

Coulddowithanap · 19/12/2023 23:20

You aren't undertaking though. What you are doing is perfectly acceptable.

cezannesapple · 19/12/2023 23:25

Surely it depends if you are keeping up with congested traffic, i.e everyone else in the inside lane is driving at speed or whether you have a clear lane in front of you and using it to get past the traffic in the middle lane when you should be using the fast lane to overtake. If the latter, then not correct.

OfcourseitsaNC · 19/12/2023 23:29

christmaspaws · 19/12/2023 23:19

That ^^ it's not under taking

Show quote history

But it's an opportunity for MN outrage! Why would you not be outraged at someone keeping to the road laws?! 😂

GarlicGiftsAndGlitter · 19/12/2023 23:41

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 19/12/2023 23:00

it's more satisfying to overtake them in the 3rd lane then immediately indicate to pull in front of them and then immediately back into the left hand lane, all the while going at least 10mph faster than them, which sometimes successfullly shames them into pulling over into the correct lane.

^^ this is not only more satisfying but also what you’re meant to do!

Yes, exactly this.

The danger of 'undertaking' is that people in the middle lane might not be able to pull in when needed. It doesn't sound like much, but all you need is a couple of competitive wankers in the other lanes - or someone developing trouble in an outer lane - and they can't pull back because you're barrelling up in the left-hand lane.

The whole thing's set up so the DEFAULT lane is the left and the two outer lanes are for overtaking. Inner-lane blockers do cause a lot of accidents, and they're the most likely to be pile-ups.

That also applies to middle-lane hoggers - but, if you're blocking the inside lane, there's nowhere else to go.

Sure, it's different if all the lanes are crawling nose-to-tail. But anyone persuading themselves that the same rule applies to freely moving traffic risks causing a huge disaster. Never mind, though: if this happens, you're unlikely to be prosecuted because you'll probably be dead 👀

MindfullyAmazedHorse · 19/12/2023 23:45

YABU. But I’m sure you know that very well.

Their driving is not good, but nor is yours. Your bad driving stops them correcting their own.

CarolChristmasCake · 20/12/2023 00:06

AmethystSparkles · 19/12/2023 23:12

I’m a sensible driver…some would say that I’m too slow but the Highway Code says that 60mph on a motorway is perfectly fine (under 55 is not). I find that if I pull into the middle lane to help people joining the motorway, I can’t get back into the slow lane because idiots people are undertaking.

Not helped by the fact that people joining the motorway think that it’s a great idea to join in a big clump, leaving people little choice but to slow down or move.

Sensible driver or menace?? 😆 Sounds like you are going too slow in the middle lane and that’s why everyone is overtaking you on the inside.

Also how else are people supposed to join the motorway if it’s busy? Wait at the start of the slip road until it’s clear and then take turns to join? 🤔