How to handle outside lane hoggers?

Hintza

Yesterday I was travelling north from Haddington on the A1 (dual carriageway) when two cars pulled out of a slip road obviously together. The first one moved straight out to outside lane (4 youngsters) and I passed the second one (2-3 youngsters).

This stretch of the road has high number of speed cameras and i find it simplest just to set the speedo at just over 70mph (corresponding to 70mph on the sat nav). I gave them a chance to move in to the clear inside lane but they just stayed out. I crept a little closer and all that elicited was a flash of the hazards and rude hand gestures.

How go you guys handle these situations?

In the end I just took him on the inside lane, but he then just sat on my bumper for a few miles. By this time I was getting cross but decided evasion was the safest option and sped away (his Punto with 4 up didn't have the grunt to keep up) I then left at an exit shortly after and he carried on.

What struck me though was he was just being a !!!!!! but if the cops had been watching I am sure I would have been the one to get a ticket.

Lorian

It something I see a lot. In my experience the passive approach of sitting behind them and silently fuming is the safest. Somone with a more aggresive approach risk accident and/or prosecution.

ktuludays

i just ignore them these days. as long as i get there safely i don't care what they do

Crazy_Jamie

I realise that slowing down slightly for a few miles isn't going to kill me and don't let it get to me.

Bob_the_Saver

I might not be understanding what you are saying but if you are already doing 70mph what does it matter, that's the maximum speed limit.

Hintza

They were doing less than 70mph not by much but that is not the point they had no reason to be in the outside lane (inside lane was clear for miles) unless they had decided to just drive like that to get a reaction from someone.

I have come across the consciernce of the nation types before and they are just a pain but at least you know their motives.

I might add I find drivers in Scotland to be a lot worse than elswhere in the UK. I find the further south you go the better they tend to be in cases such as:- keeping up with traffic flow, decent lane control etc.

maninthestreet

Hintza wrote: »

They were doing less than 70mph not by much but that is not the point they had no reason to be in the outside lane (inside lane was clear for miles) unless they had decided to just drive like that to get a reaction from someone.

I have come across the consciernce of the nation types before and they are just a pain but at least you know their motives.

I might add I find drivers in Scotland to be a lot worse than elswhere in the UK. I find the further south you go the better they tend to be in cases such as:- keeping up with traffic flow, decent lane control etc.

So why didn't you use the inside lane if it was clear?
Both the middle and outside lanes are there for overtaking.
It seems you were frustrated because this other car was preventing you from breaking the speed limit.

flyingscotno1

Hintza wrote: »

They were doing less than 70mph not by much but that is not the point they had no reason to be in the outside lane (inside lane was clear for miles) unless they had decided to just drive like that to get a reaction from someone.

I have come across the consciernce of the nation types before and they are just a pain but at least you know their motives.

I might add I find drivers in Scotland to be a lot worse than elswhere in the UK. I find the further south you go the better they tend to be in cases such as:- keeping up with traffic flow, decent lane control etc.

Simply flash them, otherwise not much you can do.

I tend to pull in and sit in the inside before passing them- not the most advisable manoeuvre but the police in these parts turn a blind eye- here cars undertake on the motorway all the time, they'd have no chance tugging them!

Funnily enough I see no difference between North and South- only that the road is wider and you have more middle lane hogs!

I don't really think there is mucj

LandyAndy

maninthestreet wrote: »

So why didn't you use the inside lane if it was clear?
Both the middle and outside lanes are there for overtaking.
It seems you were frustrated because this other car was preventing you from breaking the speed limit.

Because it's a two lane carriageway?

daphne_descends

Not sure why you need to 'do' anything?

Whenever someone is driving like a pr*ck around me I slow down, they are not someone I want behind me to be honest, let them vanish into the distance and make your drive safer.

newnhak

Hi OP - I share your irritation. Basically middle and outside lanes are overtaking lanes but loads of people use them incorrectly.

However I dont think you should use intimidating behaviour like flashing or tailgating.

A guy in a white van did to this me yesterday - I was overtaking in the outside lane and he was inches behind me. When I had overtaken I pulled into the middle lane to allow him to overtake me but he didnt - so I pulled back out to overtake again only for him to be on my tail again. He did eventually overtake me but then tried to 'push' me across into the inside lane by pulling right across into the middle whilst overtaking.

If someone is stopping me from overtaking I usually try and give them a wide berth. If I have to go to the inside lane and overtake then I will - because if I am doing 70mph and undertake I have always understood that this is their fault for being in the wrong lane. Obviously safety comes first though.