Middle Lane Hoggers - I hate them!

boliston

UsernameAlreadyExists wrote: »

No. You should never make someone slow down, it's in the highway code

I have not seen anything in the highway code about not ever making someone slow down, as this would make it almost impossible to drive anywhere unless you can be sure there is never someone who wants to go faster. Basically anyone who has ever had a car travelling behind them is technically guilty of causing them to slow down!

Emmylou_2

M5 northbound, between 20 (Clevedon) and 19 (Portishead/Gordano services), the uphill, 4 lane section. Monday, mid-afternoon (not yet rush hour)

Lanes 2, 3 and 4 were full. Lane 1 was empty. When it came for lane 4 to merge in, there were issues because people just wouldn't pull over into lane 1.

M5, southbound, J18A (Avonmouth) to 21 (Weston-super-Mare), late (11 pm ish) Friday night. Motorway was pretty deserted, as it usually is at that point. I'm doing the speed limit (and a little bit, no more than 75 though) in lane 1, because it's clear, pulling round trucks whenever one appears (four or five in the whole journey) and then back into lane 1.

I get to the split section with a totally clear carriageway, and as I round the bend see a car ahead of me in lane 2 (it only had 1 rear light, at first I thought it was a motorbike). I carry on travelling at 70 (cos I'm going slightly uphill) in lane 1. I pass the car on the inside and estimate it's going at no more than 50 mph.

This *really* naffs them off. I get horn blaring, light flashing (they only had one full beam as well or I would've said lights) until I'm out of sight.

And me? I carry on my journey and come home nice and safe...

matttye

Emmylou wrote: »

M5 northbound, between 20 (Clevedon) and 19 (Portishead/Gordano services), the uphill, 4 lane section. Monday, mid-afternoon (not yet rush hour)

Lanes 2, 3 and 4 were full. Lane 1 was empty. When it came for lane 4 to merge in, there were issues because people just wouldn't pull over into lane 1.

M5, southbound, J18A (Avonmouth) to 21 (Weston-super-Mare), late (11 pm ish) Friday night. Motorway was pretty deserted, as it usually is at that point. I'm doing the speed limit (and a little bit, no more than 75 though) in lane 1, because it's clear, pulling round trucks whenever one appears (four or five in the whole journey) and then back into lane 1.

I get to the split section with a totally clear carriageway, and as I round the bend see a car ahead of me in lane 2 (it only had 1 rear light, at first I thought it was a motorbike). I carry on travelling at 70 (cos I'm going slightly uphill) in lane 1. I pass the car on the inside and estimate it's going at no more than 50 mph.

This *really* naffs them off. I get horn blaring, light flashing (they only had one full beam as well or I would've said lights) until I'm out of sight.

And me? I carry on my journey and come home nice and safe...

It's strange how they can be completely oblivious to their own driving yet take offence at yours, but I have experienced similar things when undertaking hoggers.

I saw one lady start waving her hands around in exasperation when I undertook her. To be fair to her though she wasn't an average middle lane hogger, she had just moved out to overtake a truck on a dual carriageway WAY too early, so I undertook her then overtook the truck. As I went past her there was easily about 10 car lengths between her and the truck.

boliston

matttye wrote: »

It's strange how they can be completely oblivious to their own driving yet take offence at yours, but I have experienced similar things when undertaking hoggers.

I saw one lady start waving her hands around in exasperation when I undertook her. To be fair to her though she wasn't an average middle lane hogger, she had just moved out to overtake a truck on a dual carriageway WAY too early, so I undertook her then overtook the truck. As I went past her there was easily about 10 car lengths between her and the truck.

I think a lot depends on the power of your engine - I drive a zero VED car with one of the weakest engines about (but very economical) and I know for a fact that I need to plan overtakes much sooner than more powerful cars because if I get boxed in behind a lorry I will then have almost no chance of getting past it.

Iceweasel

It's quite clear to me that lots of these 'hoggers' actually think that they are in the correct lane.

The concept of 'slow lane' and 'fast lane' lives on in the minds of the ignorant.

To them the left lane is for slow vehicles and of course that's not them - especially as every now and again they might just actually overtake a slower vehicle in lane 1.

It really nevers enters their heads to use the nearside lane.

Many a time I've been heading North up the M6 from Lancaster - which is 3 lane - in the wee small hours of the morning on a pretty near deserted motorway.

Way up ahead I see a set of tail lights after a good few minutes I catch the car up as it's doing around 60 - but in the middle lane.

I flash lights then cross over to lane 3 and overtake correctly and legally.

I look in the mirror as I return to lane 1 - no reaction at all - and as I move on into the night their headlights fade away behind me still in the middle lane.

Possibly they may think "He's not driving slow - so why is he using the slow lane?" and decide it's me who is wrong.

If we all come across these daft people so often - why do the police not seem to be doing anything about them?

I refuse to believe that all the traffic cops I see, sitting on their road-side perches and on top of fly-overs, don't see the same nonsense as we do.

I'm sure they do see it - but can't be bothered to react.

matttye

Iceweasel wrote: »

It's quite clear to me that lots of these 'hoggers' actually think that they are in the correct lane.

The concept of 'slow lane' and 'fast lane' lives on in the minds of the ignorant.

To them the left lane is for slow vehicles and of course that's not them - especially as every now and again they might just actually overtake a slower vehicle in lane 1.

It really nevers enters their heads to use the nearside lane.

Many a time I've been heading North up the M6 from Lancaster - which is 3 lane - in the wee small hours of the morning on a pretty near deserted motorway.

Way up ahead I see a set of tail lights after a good few minutes I catch the car up as it's doing around 60 - but in the middle lane.

I flash lights then cross over to lane 3 and overtake correctly and legally.

I look in the mirror as I return to lane 1 - no reaction at all - and as I move on into the night their headlights fade away behind me still in the middle lane.

Possibly they may think "He's not driving slow - so why is he using the slow lane?" and decide it's me who is wrong.

If we all come across these daft people so often - why do the police not seem to be doing anything about them?

I refuse to believe that all the traffic cops I see, sitting on their road-side perches and on top of fly-overs, don't see the same nonsense as we do.

I'm sure they do see it - but can't be bothered to react.

I'd imagine it's because they consider speeders and those committing document offences higher priority (no insurance/mot/etc).

PenguinJim

Retrogamer wrote: »

The problem i've noticed with people doing this, is if a car is behind them and wanting to get past and keeping a safe distance they don't move.

Usually someone needs to drive right up behind them, very closely so the person cruising in an overtaking lane knows they want past.
Even then, it might take a flash or two of the lights.
Even then, sometimes they still don't move.

You never, ever need to drive right up behind a moving car. Always leave ample space to stop in an emergency. Tailgating is not a solution to anything. Honestly, I'm surprised you've admitted to it publicly.

You could try using your indicator to indicate that you want to overtake them on the right. I've had success with this in the past.

boliston

PenguinJim wrote: »

You never, ever need to drive right up behind a moving car. Always leave ample space to stop in an emergency. Tailgating is not a solution to anything. Honestly, I'm surprised you've admitted to it publicly.

You could try using your indicator to indicate that you want to overtake them on the right. I've had success with this in the past.

Trying to "bully" a car to move over by driving dangerously close or flashing lights will probably have the opposite effect as if you want someone to cooperate its best not to wind them up!

Iceweasel

boliston wrote: »

Trying to "bully" a car to move over by driving dangerously close or flashing lights will probably have the opposite effect as if you want someone to cooperate its best not to wind them up!

I only give a double-flash the once.

That's to (hopefully) make the driver in front know I'm there.

I would do it ideally from a position of at least a 2 second gap.

It is not, and should not, be viewed as aggressive, it is using the lights for the intended purpose, to alert another road user of my presence.

wba31

boliston wrote: »

I think a lot depends on the power of your engine - I drive a zero VED car with one of the weakest engines about (but very economical) and I know for a fact that I need to plan overtakes much sooner than more powerful cars because if I get boxed in behind a lorry I will then have almost no chance of getting past it.

Nonsense.

I drive a 2.2 diesel civic, which when you put your foot down at 70mph, it accelerates well. The wife has a Jazz, that when you put your foot to the floor at 60mph plus it takes an age to increase speed (e.g. for an overtake on the motorway when you're conscious some nice bloke bombing up lane 3 has kindly hung back and allowed you out.
Drop the thing to 4th and it quickly gathers the kick to get round a vehicle and out of faster drivers way. not as quick as a more powerful car, but not lacking enough that i pull out to overtake 1/4 mile before i reach the vehicle...