I tend to overtake middle lane hoggers then pull back into the middle lane and slow down. When they try to overtake, I then accelerate and move into the slow lane with them left in the outside lane and two empty lanes inside of them.
It seems to work somehow as a large majority move back two lanes.
Surprising % of German autobahns are only two lane.
As are a lot of the French Autoroutes. I drive down to South of France every year and I must say that these two lane motorways work. Basically everyone uses the inside lane and just the outside one to overtake. Maybe two lanes is the optimum number? Three and you have diminishing returns and more even worse. There is a stretch of the M25 between Heathrow and Gatwick where there are four and even five lanes and it's always congested. If you think about it, what is the point of the middle lane?
Perhaps it's just me but, irrespective of the offence, giving police or anybody else the power to fine people without trial is totalitarian, an affront to the supposed presumption of innocence until proven guilty and not what I expect to see in a supposed democracy.
However, judging by the orgasms of delight above, I realise I am probably in a minority of one.
Perhaps it's just me but, irrespective of the offence, giving police or anybody else the power to fine people without trial is totalitarian, an affront to the supposed presumption of innocence until proven guilty and not what I expect to see in a supposed democracy.
However, judging by the orgasms of delight above, I realise I am probably in a minority of one.
I tend to agree with Len, if the police say you are a middle lane hogger, and must pay up just because they say so, there will be ructions that's for sure.
I have just been out and encountered the infamous man in the black BMW who thinks that it is okay to get in the left lane on a roundabout, when he wants to turn right.
I was turning right so was in the right lane and indicating right. I indicated left after the turning before the one I wanted and started to move over and of course he was in my way and would not give way. I flashed and hooted and all he did was give me the 'w' sign and would not let me turn into my exit until had done so first.
Roundabouts are another driving action where people aren't taught to negotiate them properly.
Middle lane hoggers are a pain no doubt but in my experience there are far worse things going on and most of them are not on the motorways, which in theory and statistically (I think) are our safest roads.
Hopefully the new law will enable the police to do something immediately about the absolutely appaling levels of lane discipline at roadabouts for example, those drivers who cut you up or drive up your backside even in queues...you know the sort of people who drive around followed by a cacophony of car horns wherever they go.
Do they think this is normal and everyone else gets the same treatment or is it just a case of them realising they are selfish, ignorant twunts and not really caring?
BTW how many posts in are we and no one has admitted to being a middle lane hogger yet. Someone on here must be.
I agree with your general point about lane discipline at roundabouts.
However that said the design and road markings at some roundabouts is appalling and encourages shifting between lanes.
One example that springs to mind is the Darenth interchange. If you approach it from the Dartford Tunnel bound section of the M25 and wish to go on the A2 Canterbury and Dover bound the road markings instuct you to stay in the right hand lane of 3. So far so good and this works well when negotiating the first set of traffic lights. However the approach to the second set of lights has the same markings with the middle lane marked Tunnel. However once through those lights to go to Canterbury and Dover the markings suddenly instruct you to switch to the middle lane. Therefore, through no fault of their own, mororists are recklessly (sometimes) changing lanes.
I tend these days to take the "Tunnel" lane when approaching the second set of lights, since it effectively becomes the Canterbury bound lane, as whatever I do I am wrong either by being in the wrong lane or changing lanes!
You can either take or undertake in America and it seems to work well. You can also turn right on a red light in America. I've also been to America about dozen times and only ever seen one roundabout.
I can barely think of any traffic jams I've been setting in America too
I must agree that those set ups are very convenient. However consider this: In the USA you do nothing other than drive in a straight line or turn right or left (they have precious few roundabouts or narrow roads or bends in roads) yet...in Alabama - population around 5mn: road deaths around 900 per year. UK - population around 65mn; road deaths around 3300 per year..... Those figures tell you there's something not right with US road safety.
The American problems are letting 15 and 16 year olds drive. And having appalling handling vehicles. They are like sofas on wheels.
I'm not saying America is perfect but some of their ideas aren't completely retarded. Only some mind!
Middle lane hoggers are a pain no doubt but in my experience there are far worse things going on and most of them are not on the motorways, which in theory and statistically (I think) are our safest roads.
Hopefully the new law will enable the police to do something immediately about the absolutely appaling levels of lane discipline at roadabouts for example, those drivers who cut you up or drive up your backside even in queues...you know the sort of people who drive around followed by a cacophony of car horns wherever they go.
Do they think this is normal and everyone else gets the same treatment or is it just a case of them realising they are selfish, ignorant twunts and not really caring?
BTW how many posts in are we and no one has admitted to being a middle lane hogger yet. Someone on here must be.
I agree with your general point about lane discipline at roundabouts.
However that said the design and road markings at some roundabouts is appalling and encourages shifting between lanes.
One example that springs to mind is the Darenth interchange. If you approach it from the Dartford Tunnel bound section of the M25 and wish to go on the A2 Canterbury and Dover bound the road markings instuct you to stay in the right hand lane of 3. So far so good and this works well when negotiating the first set of traffic lights. However the approach to the second set of lights has the same markings with the middle lane marked Tunnel. However once through those lights to go to Canterbury and Dover the markings suddenly instruct you to switch to the middle lane. Therefore, through no fault of their own, mororists are recklessly (sometimes) changing lanes.
I tend these days to take the "Tunnel" lane when approaching the second set of lights, since it effectively becomes the Canterbury bound lane, as whatever I do I am wrong either by being in the wrong lane or changing lanes!
It's a case of the less worse of the two evils!
The M25/A20 junction is just as bad if you're coming from London to join the M25 westbound, the road markings are clear, but nobody seems to take notice of them except if they're going down the A20.
Edit, I think this is the same roundabout we're talking about.
I generally don't have a problem with slow middle lane drivers - I just overtake them. No big deal. I can't help thinking that some of those who complain about middle lane road hoggers driving at 60 mph come up against them only because they are themselves middle lane road hoggers driving at 70 mph.
Much more annoying is this guy "Hmm, I'm guessing my lorry is one mile an hour faster than the one in front so I'll overtake" Brmmm, Brmmm "I'm nearly past him and it's only taken half an hour...Wow that's a big queue behind me"
Much more annoying is this guy "Hmm, I'm guessing my lorry is one mile an hour faster than the one in front so I'll overtake" Brmmm, Brmmm "I'm nearly past him and it's only taken half an hour...Wow that's a big queue behind me"
Does HE get fined?
Fined? HE should get shot! Always up a bloody hill too!
Much more annoying is this guy "Hmm, I'm guessing my lorry is one mile an hour faster than the one in front so I'll overtake" Brmmm, Brmmm "I'm nearly past him and it's only taken half an hour...Wow that's a big queue behind me"
Does HE get fined?
Fined? HE should get shot! Always up a bloody hill too!
So bloody this. Makes my blood boil. Its when they try and do it 3 a breast taking up all 3 lanes too. Grrrrr.
Much more annoying is this guy "Hmm, I'm guessing my lorry is one mile an hour faster than the one in front so I'll overtake" Brmmm, Brmmm "I'm nearly past him and it's only taken half an hour...Wow that's a big queue behind me"
Does HE get fined?
A far greater problem and cause of jams but nothing is done about it!!!
Well the should get fined for doing it 3 abreast, lorries aren't allowed in the outside lane on a 3+ lane carriage-way.
Agree it's frustrating when they overtake, even though I know why they do it (if they have a full load and lose momentum, then it's a case of changing down half a dozen gears, losing a ton of speed and taking literally miles to get back up to the speed they were going). Eastern European lorries actually make the situation worse, they aren't limited, so what they will often do (apparently) is accelerate up to just over 60 when another lorry (limited to 60) is attempting to overtake, making the pass impossible and stranding the over lorry in the middle lane.
Imagine you are in an underpowered car that can get to 80+ but accelerates poorly. You can cruise comfortably at 70 but if traffic is reasonably busy and get caught behind a lorry, you don't have the acceleration to get into the middle lane without delaying others. Do you stay in the left lane doing 60 or come out when you can - taking your time to get to 70 and potentially delaying others!!!! Most people will say th eformer as the basic driver is a decent person until he/she gets into a car, then he/she is the best driver in the world and a selfish git!
I am not a middle lane hogger - but as long as they aren't doing a silly speed - I'll just overtake them. Can't see how it is dangerous or impacts on congestion. But things that actually do imapct are ignored.
It has been proven that lane hoggers cause congestion and lower the carrying capacity of our roads. There is debate to how big this effect is, but no debate that there is definitely a negative effect on our roads.
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It seems to work somehow as a large majority move back two lanes.
However, judging by the orgasms of delight above, I realise I am probably in a minority of one.
It's about 'returning' to the inside lane, regardless of your speed.
Is it ok to drive down the middle then
I agree with your general point about lane discipline at roundabouts.
However that said the design and road markings at some roundabouts is appalling and encourages shifting between lanes.
One example that springs to mind is the Darenth interchange. If you approach it from the Dartford Tunnel bound section of the M25 and wish to go on the A2 Canterbury and Dover bound the road markings instuct you to stay in the right hand lane of 3. So far so good and this works well when negotiating the first set of traffic lights. However the approach to the second set of lights has the same markings with the middle lane marked Tunnel. However once through those lights to go to Canterbury and Dover the markings suddenly instruct you to switch to the middle lane. Therefore, through no fault of their own, mororists are recklessly (sometimes) changing lanes.
I tend these days to take the "Tunnel" lane when approaching the second set of lights, since it effectively becomes the Canterbury bound lane, as whatever I do I am wrong either by being in the wrong lane or changing lanes!
It's a case of the less worse of the two evils!
I'm not saying America is perfect but some of their ideas aren't completely retarded. Only some mind!
Edit, I think this is the same roundabout we're talking about.
Does HE get fined?
Agree it's frustrating when they overtake, even though I know why they do it (if they have a full load and lose momentum, then it's a case of changing down half a dozen gears, losing a ton of speed and taking literally miles to get back up to the speed they were going). Eastern European lorries actually make the situation worse, they aren't limited, so what they will often do (apparently) is accelerate up to just over 60 when another lorry (limited to 60) is attempting to overtake, making the pass impossible and stranding the over lorry in the middle lane.
I am not a middle lane hogger - but as long as they aren't doing a silly speed - I'll just overtake them. Can't see how it is dangerous or impacts on congestion. But things that actually do imapct are ignored.