Middle Lane Hogging - North/South divide..

jase1

iolanthe07 wrote: »

I understand why people do hog lane 2 (so called 'middle lane'). In lane 1 you come up behind a truck, and then find it impossible to overtake because the selfish drivers in lane 2 won't let you out. So you're stuck at 56 mph, breathing in filthy diesel fumes. I always try to stay in lane 1 where I can, but I don't think it's safe to constantly weave in and out.

BIB a perfect description of why middle-lane driving is evil. Those "selfish drivers in lane 2" are most likely MLMs, driving at the same speed or 1mph faster than the lorry beside them.

So essentially what you're understanding is "can't beat 'em, join 'em"

dannyrst

Sometimes I undertake a car in lane 2 if they don't pull over.

Other times I safely move across both lanes, overtake, and then move back across to lane 1.

Undertaking isn't illegal as long as it is done appropriately and safely.

almillar

I understand why people do hog lane 2 (so called 'middle lane'). In lane 1 you come up behind a truck, and then find it impossible to overtake because the selfish drivers in lane 2 won't let you out. So you're stuck at 56 mph, breathing in filthy diesel fumes. I always try to stay in lane 1 where I can, but I don't think it's safe to constantly weave in and out.

That's a fair point, and at least you're thinking about your driving. The Highway Code doesn't give much advice for our busy roads, so here's my, personal advice.
If all 3 lanes are busy, you have 3 choices of speed. You don't want to do 56 in amongst the lorries, so you need to choose to do the speed of lane 2. If they're doing 70, you need to find a gap, and accelerate up to 70 briskly. If you want to do 65, there's no lane for you. The road's too busy right now. If you try to do 60, you'll go into the back of a lorry, or you'll hold up people in lanes 2 and 3.

AltheHibby

You lot want to try the A9 around Inverness. I have seen them teach learners to go into the right hand lane at 50 in the 70, turning the dual into a single lane each way.

The reason appears to be that they will turn right at the roundabout 10 miles away so they want to be in the lane in plenty time.

bazster

AltheHibby wrote: »

The reason appears to be that they will turn right at the roundabout 10 miles away so they want to be in the lane in plenty time.

Well you don't want to leave it 'til the last minute do you? :rotfl:

EdGasket

Zandoni wrote: »

They were probably trying to get you to move over, out of the middle lane.

No this was done repeatedly on the Langstone Road towards Hayling Island,, a single carraigeway. They didn't get me but they got some people with their tactics. They would drive right up behind at night and sit on your tail hoping you would increase above the 40mph limit, then they nab you.
When they couldn't get me for speeding, they pulled me over anyway to check the car and all documents. This happened on more than one occasion.

theatretony

AltheHibby wrote: »

The reason appears to be that they will turn right at the roundabout 10 miles away so they want to be in the lane in plenty time.

You can also spot the middle lane hoggers who suddenly move to the left lane after 5 miles of nothing - you KNOW that they are taking the next exit....and 99% of the time - they do !

dannyrst

I like the people who get confused by the exit signs and think when they see this:



They need to move out of the left hand lane :T

AltheHibby

Bazter,

You're right - I'm being totally unfair! :-)

theatretony,

Agreed. Though it would help if the A9 had a third lane.

theatretony

the other sign that confuses people are the ones where you are joining from a slip road and your lane becomes part of the motorway (making a 2 lane to 3 lane), and the amount of drivers who move from that lane to the second lane as they think it is just the slip road and not the 'now' first lane of the motorway - hope that makes sense....