Help get rid of those middle lane morons on the motorway (petition)

Markyt

Inactive wrote: »

Try doing it with a Police Car following then.;)

I have - never had a problem.

dzug

thescouselander wrote: »

In America people just seem to drive in whichever lane they like and they overtake in any lane - I feel this is a much better approach.).

They do discourage this in the US - in some parts anyway. I've seen signs saying keep to right unless overtaking.

They do discourage lane hopping - ie you are not really expected to overtake that much, just go with the flow in the lane you are in. You can get fined for continual lane hopping.

We are too impatient here.

Inactive

Markyt wrote: »

No it isn't. There is no law prohibiting passing on the left, and the highway code goes as far as saying it is ok if the traffic on the right is moving slower.
.

It doesn't quite say that, read it again.

vikingaero

thescouselander wrote: »

I think the rules on which lane to use on the motorway are out of date now that the roads are much busier. In America people just seem to drive in whichever lane they like and they overtake in any lane - I feel this is a much better approach.

In America I find that most drivers do keep right out of urban areas on the interstate. Only in urban areas where the lanes are marked for specific directions do people stay in certain lanes.

Most people who hog the middle lane are stupid, selfish and mainly women or middle aged men. Ageist and sexist but true.

The main way to prevent middle lane hogs is to fine them into oblivion. £250 for first offence, £1000 for the next offence, £5000 for the next offence after that.

iolanthe07

I overtake quite often on the left these days because of the middle-lane hoggers, but I don't swerve in and out. Is overtaking on the left actually illegal or not? There seems to be conflicting advice on this forum. Is there a traffic cop reading this who could give a definitive answer?

cowbutt

From the Highway Code: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069862
"268Do not overtake on the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake. In congested conditions, where adjacent lanes of traffic are moving at similar speeds, traffic in left-hand lanes may sometimes be moving faster than traffic to the right. In these conditions you may keep up with the traffic in your lane even if this means passing traffic in the lane to your right. Do not weave in and out of lanes to overtake."
My interpretation is that "congested conditions" might apply to the M25 at times, the M32 inbound to Bristol during the rush-hour or the M4 inbound to London, but doesn't apply if road speeds are greater than 30mph or so.

zeon999

It is totally illegal to undertake unless your in heavy congestion where the whole lane is overtaking and undertaking constanly due to the congestion.

I would love to think that doing this would help but to be honest nothing you do will make the morons drive better.

Look at those who drive at 40MPH everywhere they go no matter the speed limit be it 60 or 30, if they did it during there test they would fail and it is totally illegal but yet that dont stop them.

Or what about those who are unable to reverse when you meet them in a coutry land and weave all over the road and nearly crash into the ditch?

Or what about those who are unable to control their car in such a way that they can revers park or revers around a corner. All these things are covered when learning to drive but yet there are so many who are incaperble of doing it after the lucky one off they managed in the test.

iolanthe07

It is totally illegal to undertake

But is it? Where does it actually say that? The Highway Code is advice, not necessarily law. Where is the statute that says you cannot undertake?

LuciferTDark

Rule 268 of the updated Highway code:

Do not overtake on the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake.

Cardelia

That's the Highway Code though, not UK law.

There is nothing in UK law which forbids overtaking on the left hand side. If you do it in a dangerous or reckless manner, you may be prosecuted under a generic driving offence (such as driving without due care and attention) but you cannot be prosecuted for the offence of overtaking on the left. There is no such offence.