Who are you in these situations?

[PumpkinSpiceAndEverythingNice]

Not really an AIBU, just wondering who you are in this situation as we’re on a car journey and discussing it.

There’s two lanes of traffic, clearly signed that one lane is going to close off. The left lane is backed up and barely moving causing a big backup, while people fly up the right lane and force their way in at the front, thus saving themselves 15 mins of queuing, but also adding time to the people queuing by forcing their way in front.

We were in the left lane, queuing as I see proper, but also feeling the appropriate rage towards the people flying past us. The car in front of us doing a lot of head shaking and wanker signs towards the queue cutters.

When we got to the front of the queue, DH let some of the cars in. I would have written off my car trying to not let them in.

So, do you queue or would you be a right laner? And do you let them in?
YABU - take the right lane and go past the queue and save time
YANBU - queue like a civilised person but add time on your journey

The sign is advising you the upcoming lane is closing. Highway Code says to use both lanes and merge.

You are wrong. HTH

Everyone should use both lanes and merge in turn at the point that the lane closes

You are not civilised you are the one causing the problem and backed up traffic cause gridlock to the rest of the roads in the area. As per the Highway Code traffic is supposed to use both lanes and MERGE IN TURN where the lane changes into one. The ones in the right are in fact correct, all the idiots in the left are completely wrong, you shouldn’t be driving.

you use both lanes and merge in turn. So those ‘flying past’ are in fact following t( correct procedure

Use both lanes and merge. 1 goes from left lane, then one goes from right lane.

No point getting the rage

"Don't be a dick - merge like a zip"

Yep, like everyone says, you do need to merge. The reason the queues end up being even worse is because most people don’t use both lanes /merge, and just sit in one.

I’m not sitting in queues of traffic for all that time when I can legally get ahead by merging properly, as per the Highway Code.

If you do it properly, there is no need for you to stop at the merge point because you’ll be driving along looking for a natural gap, indicating your intention and merging.

It’s people like you who cause the queues in the first place. Don’t be a dick

yeah what everyone else said.

Do you even do this when (as is often the case now) the closure is accompanied by signs saying ‘use both lanes’ and ‘merge in turn’?!

bigjobber on social media has some great videos about how wrong it is to all queue in the left lane.

I personally would queue because I would worry that the drivers at the front won’t let me in. But I wouldn’t get angry if someone tried to merge in front of me . Life is too short for that. Just let them in OP, and don’t write off your car trying to stop them. The road needs less aggro drivers, not more.

As frustrating as it is for the RHL 'queue jumpers' to do what they're doing, technically they're not doing anything wrong.

I wouldn't do my best to stop them getting in front of me because what would that achieve? What lesson would that teach them? Nothing. All it does is frustrates everyone involved and could be seen as driving without due care and attention if a prang happened.

I’m in the shaking head left hand lane, but the Highway Code says I’m wrong. Feeding in like a zip is always done fairly by drivers near Sainsbury’s in Kings Lynn I’ve found. Kudos to those in Norfolk.

I am a right hand laner, as per the intention of 'merge in turn'. I won't 'force' my way in, but will merge. Similarly I will let people in if I am in the left hand lane.

People like you are what contribute to the queues in the first place...how can anyone who considers themselves an experienced driver still labour under the delusion?

Yep, merge in turn and don’t be a prat causing queues further back, especially if it causes a junction to become blocked as we had experience of recently.

There are two lanes for a reason. Both should be used and people should merge in turn.

Honestly it's the queuers and the head-shakers who give me the rage. You don't know the rules of the road so form a long queue, create a massive tailback, and then try and cause accidents by not letting people in when they're driving properly.

Currently a bit exercised about this one as had this exact situation a few days ago. Was trying to merge in turn as the Highway Code decrees but the idiots queuing in the left lane wouldn't let me in, meaning I'm then creating an obstruction myself.

Don't get me started about people forming lines at bars these days too... 😄

You shouldn’t be driving if you really think like this!

I’m also the one following the Highway Code to merge in turn. It’s quicker for everyone and the ones waiting in a long queue then not letting people merge are the problem. Acting aggressively when you’re the one in the wrong has always baffled me.

Yup, I'll be in the right hand lane to merge as is correct

I’m def not in the wrong, I’m turning left at the traffic lights after the merge point. These guys are flying up the right hand lane which would turn right if the road didn’t block off, to then try and also turn left.

Have you looked up the highway code? You're supposed to use both lanes until closer to the merge point then take it in turns to merge. The problem is too many people get into the open lane as soon as they see the lane closure sign which causes the big queue.

You are in the wrong

You def are in the wrong. It makes no difference which way anyone wants to turn after the merge point as there is now only one lane for left and right. The correct procedure per the Highway Code is to use both lanes and take it in turns to merge at the front of the queue.

I have a roundabout near me. Approaching it clearly says use both lanes to go left (effectively the same main road). Leaving the roundabout are two lanes to a set of traffic lights and, again a sign saying use both lanes. After the lights the road goes down to a single lane with a sign, with diagram, saying merge in turn.

Nevertheless the left lane is often built up and the right empty and then some numpty will get arsey and not allow you in front of them to merge when it is your turn - as though you have cheated. This is in an area where most drivers fall over themselves to be courteous. I find it baffling.