Lane hogging

[Romig1]

If as it would appear a large number of posters mainly stick to the inside lane on a motorway, and only pull out to the middle lane, when overtaking slower traffic on the inside lane. When do you use the outside lane, or lanes in the case of a 4 lane motorway, or don't you use them, preferring to stick wherever possible to the slower inside lane .

That's not what people are saying. Yes, I will pull into the slow lane when there is a gap (as is the correct way). However, the amount of traffic on the motorways means that what usually happens (or should happen) is that the slowest vehicles (usually approx 50mph) are in the slow lane. Those going around 60/65 should use the middle lane to pass the slowest vehicles (then pull in when there is a gap). Those at 70mph should then use the fast lane to pass both sets of slower traffic (and then pull over left into the middle or slow lane when there is a gap). It's really quite simple..in theory.

[Kendhni]

I have to admit to being one of the drivers that normally sits in the 'overtaking' lane on my drive to work (which is dual carriageway). I either drive at the speed of the car in front or at the speed limit (give or take a couple of miles per hour) ... there are 36 speed cameras on that 9 mile stretch of road. On a 3 lane motorway I again usually drive in the middle lane but I will either be behind a car or sitting at just above the speed limit.

[Manoverboard]

Sounds simple enough for sure but the problems surely potentially arise at every junction when the last minute lane changers decide to exit the Motorway but can't find the space without carving somebody up or when the inconsiderate join the inside lane without any intention of waiting in the certain knowledge that the by now two bunched inside lanes can both pull out.

Motorways, imo, are safest when all three lanes are being used rather than bunching everybody in and especially so when one of the vehicals gets a blowout.

I would much prefer to see all the lorries and caravans etc confined to the inside lane and to then let the flow take care of itself.

[Kendhni]

When do you use the outside lane, or lanes in the case of a 4 lane motorway, or don't you use them,

Delboy, only when on a motorbike, and doing just over the ton with the police behind me

[Quizzical Bob]

Yes, when there is. Lot of traffic most lanes will be full of vehicles travelling at or near the limit. I would not call this lane hogging. I used to visit Toronto regularly and there they have 8-lane motorways (4+4) and it is legal to overtake on either side. Vehicles spread across all lanes at 50mph and whilst you can make a bit of ground by continually switching lanes and passing you soon get fed up with it and go with the flow.

[Mo2013]

I find people drive too close to the vehicle in front thereby not leaving anyone space to pull into; driving too close and not leaving a space also causes congestion when people are trying to enter the motorway - there's nowhere for them to go given that the middle lane is also very busy! Those matrix 40 signs before a slip road joins a motorway are there for a reason! if only drivers took notice! I find particularly the M62 full of lorries and artics, and one would literally be bobbing in and out of the nearside and middle lanes because there are too many of them to remain in the nearside lane without having to pull out again. And too many drivers think that the outside lane is just so they can zoom past everyone but if you are doing 70 mph in the middle lane, these zoomers are undoubtedly breaking the law. And tailgating is just appalling, aggressive and intimidating driving.

[Kendhni]

I have to admit to sometimes driving too close to the car in front ... normally I do leave plenty of room and am the sort that will let anybody in as long as I am aware of what they are doing (i.e. they indicate). it annoys me when people think oh look there is a gap and they just slide into it and then brake because they want to increase the gap in front of them, causing the cars behind to brake.

I used to always drive in the inside lane but one of the reasons I started driving in the outside lane was simply that when I wanted to overtake a couple of slow moving vehicles I found the ignoramii in the middle/overtaking lane saw the indicator and then closed up the gaps as if to say 'not in front of me' ... so it became easier to drive in the middle/overtaking lane.

Guess with the new laws I may have to rethink that a bit.

[Delboy]

Romig

Glad you said in theory, in my experience using mainly the M25 and the M4, both the middle and outside lanes are both hogged by those travelling at 70 mph and above, normally in a continous flow. Those in the outside lane, only moving to the middle lane, when a faster driver is approaching from behind. I think there is far more weaving in and out of the middle and outside lanes, than there ever is between the inside and middle lanes, but not affecting the continous flow of traffic, which is close to or above the max speed limit.

The problem appears to be between the inside and middle lane, when a slower driver pulls out from inside lane, often staying hogging the middle lane at a much slower speed than the flow, staying for some distance before moving back, thats if they do decide to move back. You then get all those who were in the middle lane fighting to overtake, and to do this having to infiltrate the outside lane.

[Quizzical Bob]

When the motorway is almost saturated, by that I mean that you can't go faster than the traffic will allow, then it makes very little difference to your journey time which lane you're in. The only difference is the gap between the vehicles. You can stay in the inside lane and relax. I have driven back from Dover to Southampton on a Sunday afternoon towing a caravan and on the inside lane we never dropped below 50 or got over 60 but the right-hand lanes were often stop-and-go.

[Silver_Shiney]

Yes, if you're chopping and changing lanes all the time then that is perhaps excessive. Another problem is that many people in the middle lane are half asleep and not aware of that poor bug*er in the inside lane who is slowly catching up the lorry ahead of him and slowly cruise past with glazed eyes.

If it is going to take you more than 10 seconds to reach the second set of vehicle(s), you should move back into the inside lane. It is, however, difficult to judge this 10 second gap.

[kaymar]

I have been away for a week and just caught up with this thread.

So, from what I have read, there seems little doubt that Delboy is a lane-hogger and probably jay-ell71 also. Anyone else care to own up?

[Silver_Shiney]

I have been away for a week and just caught up with this thread.

So, from what I have read, there seems little doubt that Delboy is a lane-hogger and probably jay-ell71 also. Anyone else care to own up?

or at least explain why you do it?

[Delboy]

I have been away for a week and just caught up with this thread.

So, from what I have read, there seems little doubt that Delboy is a lane-hogger and probably jay-ell71 also. Anyone else care to own up?

And what lane would that be Kaymar, as I pointed out in an earlier post

"I always drive with the flow of the traffic on a motorway in the lane that is a appropriate to the speed I am travelling at, and which for most of the time is at the legal maximum speed, obviously unless conditions dictate otherwise, and always with due care and consideration for other drivers."

There are usually 3 lanes on a motorway, and I use all 3 as the conditions allow, but as for being a lane-hogged, you could not be further from the truth, but you are entitled to your point of view, even although you wrong.

[Silver_Shiney]

"I always drive with the flow of the traffic on a motorway

this is always preferable to driving against the flow...

[kaymar]

I have been away for a week and just caught up with this thread.

So, from what I have read, there seems little doubt that Delboy is a lane-hogger and probably jay-ell71 also. Anyone else care to own up?

And what lane would that be Kaymar, as I pointed out in an earlier post

"I always drive with the flow of the traffic on a motorway in the lane that is a appropriate to the speed I am travelling at, and which for most of the time is at the legal maximum speed, obviously unless conditions dictate otherwise, and always with due care and consideration for other drivers."

There are usually 3 lanes on a motorway, and I use all 3 as the conditions allow, but as for being a lane-hogged, you could not be further from the truth, but you are entitled to your point of view, even although you wrong.

Delboy, you wrote

"If the inside lane is virtually empty then yes you should always use it, but if it means you are going to be weaving in and out to the middle lane to overtake every 5 minutes due to slow moving traffic on the inside, then I think it its safer to remain in the middle especially if that is clear and you are travelling at speed, and just dropping to the inside when somebody wishes to overtake."

which would seem to suggest that unless you think that the inside lane is clear enough for you to stay in it for more than five minutes, you believe it is OK to drive in the middle lane. Does that not sound like lane hogging to you?

[Delboy]

I have been away for a week and just caught up with this thread.

So, from what I have read, there seems little doubt that Delboy is a lane-hogger and probably jay-ell71 also. Anyone else care to own up?

And what lane would that be Kaymar, as I pointed out in an earlier post

"I always drive with the flow of the traffic on a motorway in the lane that is a appropriate to the speed I am travelling at, and which for most of the time is at the legal maximum speed, obviously unless conditions dictate otherwise, and always with due care and consideration for other drivers."

There are usually 3 lanes on a motorway, and I use all 3 as the conditions allow, but as for being a lane-hogged, you could not be further from the truth, but you are entitled to your point of view, even although you wrong.

Delboy, you wrote

"If the inside lane is virtually empty then yes you should always use it, but if it means you are going to be weaving in and out to the middle lane to overtake every 5 minutes due to slow moving traffic on the inside, then I think it its safer to remain in the middle especially if that is clear and you are travelling at speed, and just dropping to the inside when somebody wishes to overtake."

which would seem to suggest that unless you think that the inside lane is clear enough for you to stay in it for more than five minutes, you believe it is OK to drive in the middle lane. Does that not sound like lane hogging to you?

No because as I said If the inside lane is virtually empty, you should always use it, but if you are travelling at a faster speed in the middle lane, it is safer to remain in that lane, providing you are not holding other traffic up, rather than weaving in and out of the slower moving traffic. The 5 minutes was just a figure of speech in this instance.

I also doubt in these circumstances you be would pulled over by the police, because in this instance you would not be driving carelessly or in a manner of not having reasonable consideration for other road users.

Just to point out the law has not changed.

The only difference is now that more offences can be dealt with by ways of a fixed penalty notice rather than going to court.

Also there is no legal definition of 'lane hogging', because there is no offence of middle lane hogging, or any lane for that matter

If a persons driving amounts to careless or not having reasonable consideration for other road users, then it becomes an offence, same as it has always been.

[towny44]

I think 5 minutes is far too long Delboy, at 70mph you would travel nearly 5 miles in that time, so plenty of scope to stay in the nearside lane until you are ready to overtake, then make sure you accelerate in order to overtake rapidly.
Next time you're on a motorway for a change move back into the nearside lane after overtaking, you will be amazed at how much pride this will give you that you are no longer a lane hogger.

[Delboy]

I think 5 minutes is far too long Delboy, at 70mph you would travel nearly 5 miles in that time, so plenty of scope to stay in the nearside lane until you are ready to overtake, then make sure you accelerate in order to overtake rapidly.
Next time you're on a motorway for a change move back into the nearside lane after overtaking, you will be amazed at how much pride this will give you that you are no longer a lane hogger.

As I said in my last post 5 minutes was just a figure of speech, and you are right 5 minutes is too long, it may also surprise you that I do move back to the inside lane when overtaking, although I did mention this in an earlier post, which you must of overlooked.

As for pride, i have considerable pride in my driving that at the age of 73 I have had a clean driving licence since I was in my late teens, and I have so many years of no claims discount, that I have lost count.

Also just to reiterate their is no legal definition of a lane hogger

[Quizzical Bob]

I think 5 minutes is far too long Delboy, at 70mph you would travel nearly 5 miles in that time, so plenty of scope to stay in the nearside lane until you are ready to overtake, then make sure you accelerate in order to overtake rapidly.
Next time you're on a motorway for a change move back into the nearside lane after overtaking, you will be amazed at how much pride this will give you that you are no longer a lane hogger.

As I said in my last post 5 minutes was just a figure of speech, and you are right 5 minutes is too long, it may also surprise you that I do move back to the inside lane when overtaking, although I did mention this in an earlier post, which you must of overlooked.

As for pride, i have considerable pride in my driving that at the age of 73 I have had a clean driving licence since I was in my late teens, and I have so many years of no claims discount, that I have lost count.

Also just to reiterate their is no legal definition of a lane hogger

There is now. Someone who doesn't follow part 264 of the Highway Code. An interesting discussion here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22784983

I like this part:

'Researchers at the Institute of Psychological Science at the University of Leeds noted that older drivers have a "built-in safety mechanism" which inclines them to drive in the middle of the road to avoid manoeuvres which could test their gradually slowing reactions.'

[Delboy]

I think 5 minutes is far too long Delboy, at 70mph you would travel nearly 5 miles in that time, so plenty of scope to stay in the nearside lane until you are ready to overtake, then make sure you accelerate in order to overtake rapidly.
Next time you're on a motorway for a change move back into the nearside lane after overtaking, you will be amazed at how much pride this will give you that you are no longer a lane hogger.

As I said in my last post 5 minutes was just a figure of speech, and you are right 5 minutes is too long, it may also surprise you that I do move back to the inside lane when overtaking, although I did mention this in an earlier post, which you must of overlooked.

As for pride, i have considerable pride in my driving that at the age of 73 I have had a clean driving licence since I was in my late teens, and I have so many years of no claims discount, that I have lost count.

Also just to reiterate their is no legal definition of a lane hogger

There is now. Someone who doesn't follow part 264 of the Highway Code. An interesting discussion here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22784983

I like this part:

'Researchers at the Institute of Psychological Science at the University of Leeds noted that older drivers have a "built-in safety mechanism" which inclines them to drive in the middle of the road to avoid manoeuvres which could test their gradually slowing reactions.'

I also like this part

"The other day I came across a little old man sitting very close to the steering wheel. He was doing 49 mph in the middle lane. All the traffic coming up behind was doing 75mph so it was very dangerous."

I can assure you I am none of those, I also moan about older drivers who seem to dither on the road. I still have all my wits about me, i am certainly not a ditherer, I do put my foot down on occassions, but only when the road conditions allow and its within the law, and always keep a safe distance from the car in front.

Not all older people are dithering fools, and lets face it according to statistics, older drivers are some of the safest on the road, they are certainly are involved in less accidents.

"Department for Transport statistics from 2011 (the most recent year for which figures are available) suggests people's ideas about older drivers, have more to do with perception than reality, however. While people over 70 made up nine per cent of the driving public, they accounted for just six per cent of driver caualties.

[jay-ell71]

G' morning Delboy, I am not going to quote all that has been written, suffice it to say I believe we are both on the same wave length! Also we are about the same age, so perhaps that is why!!!!!!

I do not drive at 49 mph on the motorway unless everyone else is, and I don't suppose you do either.

[Dark Knight]

Having seen all the discussion in the press and media regarding this issue
my question is who is going to enforce this, as I rarely see a "proper" police patrol as it usually the rather useless traffic wombles, who are the only official presence on the roads

[The Monocled Mutineer]

When on a three or four lane motorway it is frustrating when signalling to overtake a slower vehicle from L1 to L2 (or L2 to L3 on a four laner) that when the the third lane is empty (or fourth) drivers in the lane you are indicating you would like to move into to to overtake, are not prepared to move over. Likewise when joining from a slip road on to a dual carriageway or motorway if L2 is empty.

[Quizzical Bob]

When on a three or four lane motorway it is frustrating when signalling to overtake a slower vehicle from L1 to L2 (or L2 to L3 on a four laner) that when the the third lane is empty (or fourth) drivers in the lane you are indicating you would like to move into to to overtake, are not prepared to move over. Likewise when joining from a slip road on to a dual carriageway or motorway if L2 is empty.

Indeed. You need to drive in France if you want courteous driving behaviour, or Germany where the frequent absence of an upper limit keeps everybody over to the slower lanes.

[The Monocled Mutineer]

As somone, weather, surface condtions, traffic speed and lower than 70 limits excepted, travels at 70 on a motorway or dual, except a mile or two before leaving when I will take my speed down to 60 than 50 whilst moving to an inside lane and 1st lane.

If having placed myself in the 1st overtaking lane because of slower moving vehicles (usually lorries) or indeed the 2nd or 3rd overtaking lane I would consider it places more risk to self and others simply to weave in and out of traffic two to three seconds apart.

If a driver behind does come up close (tail-gating) irrespective of whether he has the option to overtake me or not (the existence of another overtaking lane or such a lane not already containing traffic), if there is clear road-space before me and I can see a longer opening in a lane to the inside ahead, I will take my speed up in non-speed control areas up to 77mph and start indicating my intention to turn into an inside lane. If the driver behind me raises his speed (ie continues to tailgate) then he is the fool for tailgating in the first place and not reading the road ahead and linking my indicating with the space head on an inside lane. I prefer to get such idiots "out of my hair" asap but never to force myself between drivers in an inside lane causing them to brake. As soon as I am in an inside lane I then reduce my speed to 70 and trust that the fool will come a cropper, but not with me or any one else.

I abhor tailgaters and especially those who do this behind a tall or long vehicle. I view their behaviour as more dangerous than the middle lane hogger, although the latter can induce from some, tailgating and spiral up tension. I keep my distance from a middle lane hogger "doing 50" and wait until an overtaking lane opportunity presents itself. As regards dual carriage ways one just has to exercise patience, keep your distance and hope the hogger will turn off soon! 10 miles of such a situation in the end costs only a few minutes on your journey. Better to arrive in your car than end up in casualty or court.