How to handle outside lane hoggers?

Markyt

I flash the lights first, at a reasonable distance - not when I am already right up behind them. If that doesn't work, move to the left lane and go past.

Works for me most of the time, and the Police don't have a problem as long as you have made the effort to let everyone know what you intend.

Cumbrian_Male

I find the driving much better on the continent, I'm in France currently and if they want to overtake they move out pass and back in. Anyone sat in the outside holding up traffic gets the car behind indicating and they soon get the message and move in.

Mark_Hewitt

maninthestreet wrote: »

So why didn't you use the inside lane if it was clear?

Because you are not supposed to 'undertake'. It's borderline illegal and certainly dangerous

Both the middle and outside lanes are there for overtaking.

On a dual carrigeway there are TWO lanes. There is no 'middle' lane.

It seems you were frustrated because this other car was preventing you from breaking the speed limit.

It's clear you didn't even read the post. The OP said he was doing bang on 70mph (according to his sat nav) and the other car was doing less than that.

Just to add to the others advice, ignore them. Although sometimes that is VERY hard. I had a car pull out of a short slip road in front of me on the A1 this morning causing me to brake hard, I gave him a glare when I drove by, but I should not have let it get to me!

alo6

i am lead to believe you can undertake if you want and its legal, as long as the car you are undertaking is doing under the speedlimit.

almillar

Flashing the lights isn't (or shouldn't be) seen as only an agressive action.
Flashing your lights only means 'I am here'.
This can be interpreted plenty of ways I'd imagine, but I flash my lights plenty. So many people are asleep at the wheel, and seem to like driving on the right. Often I'll flash, they'll realise I'm there, they'll move over, then back out behind me. Were they not told to drive on the left?!
I think flashing the lights would have made OP's situation worse and I would have done the same as he did. I won't be lectured about breaking the law by people who drive on the wrong side of the road.
Bottom line is you should be in the left lane of a motorway or dual carraigeway unless you have a good reason not to be.
I drive a BMW so you should all get out of my way too!

almillar

Alo6 - no. You are only allowed to undertake 'a queue of slow moving traffic'.

[Deleted User]

almillar wrote: »

Alo6 - no. You are only allowed to undertake 'a queue of slow moving traffic'.

This reminded me of something I wanted to know - the other week I was on the M40 and there was a line of cars doing about 50 in lane 3 (it was completely full nose to tail despite the speed). Lane 2 was doing about 55 and lane one just a bit faster. Is that classed as undertaking or 'a queue of slow moving traffic'?

pault123

urbankoala wrote: »

This reminded me of something I wanted to know - the other week I was on the M40 and there was a line of cars doing about 50 in lane 3 (it was completely full nose to tail despite the speed). Lane 2 was doing about 55 and lane one just a bit faster. Is that classed as undertaking or 'a queue of slow moving traffic'?

i'd say yes, in gridlocked situations its fine.


How about flashing the overtaking lane hogger and if he does indeed move in to let you pass once you passed flash your hazards for a second to say thanks.

Everyone associates a quick hazard flash as thankyou, and this will instantly dismiss any thoughts of road rage/agression in the driver who has let you pass.

Smart_But_Casual

I would have skinned them up the inside before pulling back in front of them, indulge in some left foot braking, before dropping a gear and screaming away with my middle finger displayed vertically!

I drive 6 jcts on the M6 everyday and the amount of idiots who potter around in the middle and outside lanes is ridiculous.

Bob_the_Saver

From Highway code

110
Flashing headlights. Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users.