Middle Lane Morons, version 2...

[matty-hodgson]

why not just use all 3 lanes at the same time?
swerve like crazy!

[how1]

If i am travelling at 70+ i usually stay in the middle lane as the first lane is always full of slower moving traffic. Don't see the point in pulling into the first lane all the time. If anyone comes up faster than me i usually pull over or they overtake me. Simple.

[dave87]

If a numpty is hogging the middle lane just overtake them! No problem! If they are doing a constant 70mph then that is fine as far as i am concerned. They are within the speed limit. The first lane is usually full of people going a lot slower than that so probably safer to stay in the middle lane if travelling at 70 or above. If anyone thinks it is then annoying then they are probably trying to go faster, thus breaking the law!!

how1 - from your post, it is clear you haven't read the thread at all.


However, in the interests of fairness, I'll respond to the points you've made. MLM are so called because there is no valid reason for them to be in the middle lane - if there was a reason for them sitting in the middle lane then it wouldn't be an issue. The highway code specifies that you should keep left 'unless overtaking'. As far as I'm aware, that doesn't include the shrubbery at the side of the road.

The second issue is 'they are within the speed limit'. Contrary to what the government peddles with the 'Speed Kills' notion simply sticking within the posted limit doesn't make you a safe driver. I have seen a number of drivers on the road travelling significantly below the speed limit but so dangerously that they shouldn't be on the road. Oh, and the government has it wrong - speed doesn't kill, the sudden stop does. However they may have a point that the deceleration upon hitting road furniture at higher speeds is more severe, and more likely to kill/seriously injure - but I'm just being a pedant.

Furthermore, if I choose to drive at a certain speed which may be faster than the numpty I indicated in my first post, I shall do so. As long as I am not endangering anyone by doing so, I don't expect a member of the neighbourhood watch to prevent me from doing so. If a Police Officer (with his higher level of training and superior authority) wants to question my driving, then he is free to do so - not the middle aged fart with his flat cap on.


Anyway, as you were

[Barakka]

The question that always throws people on this topic is;

"How many driving lanes are there on a motorway?"

[TAKTAK]

I hate people who go slow in the fast lane!!

There's no such thing as a 'fast lane'...
Nor 'slow lane'...

[dave87]

The question that always throws people on this topic is;

"How many driving lanes are there on a motorway?"

1.


With additional overtaking lanes.

[TAKTAK]

The question that always throws people on this topic is;

"How many driving lanes are there on a motorway?"

Depends which motorway, and under what conditions...

Or when the hard shoulder is opened up for usage does that become the 'sole lane'?

[Barakka]

1.


With additional overtaking lanes.

Amazes me how many people you speak to, that may have been driving for many years, that start their answer with "Well it depends..." NO... No it doesn't

[dave87]

As far as I'm aware (and it has been a while since I've read the Highway Code and Roadcraft) the only situation I'd consider the lanes on a motorway individual is if the signs state 'keep in lane' usually through roadworks, or as directed by a Traffic Officer.

[TAKTAK]

Amazes me how many people you speak to, that may have been driving for many years, that start their answer with "Well it depends..." NO... No it doesn't

You see, i haven't been driving many years, not even one, so i am exempt

[how1]

There's no such thing as a 'fast lane'...
Nor 'slow lane'...

Thats right!! The outside lane is for going really slow!!

[dave87]

Amazes me how many people you speak to, that may have been driving for many years, that start their answer with "Well it depends..." NO... No it doesn't

Heh, sorry should have left it for a while before I replied to see how many people said that

Kinda helps being a biker and having done some advanced motorcycling training (plus a father with IAM and RoSPA Gold under his belt), so not exactly your average 21 year old.

[Jay]

I was driving in the middle lane a few mornings back (5:30am ish) doing 70 when some guy came up behind me, I had to stay in the middle lane as the other lane moves off onto another motorway, this guy then sits on my bumper pushing me, even though the 3rd lane is empty... he then puts his lights on full beam pulls into the 3rd lane and races off at stupid speeds, whats the point?

Today I had some guy behind me on the slip lane, he then pulls out onto the motorway over the solid white line and blocks me from getting onto the motorway, so much so I had to stop as I was running out of slip road... idiot.

[Butcher]

If i am travelling at 70+ i usually stay in the middle lane as the first lane is always full of slower moving traffic. Don't see the point in pulling into the first lane all the time. If anyone comes up faster than me i usually pull over or they overtake me. Simple.

And when a big queue builds up to overtake you despite there being ample space in lane 1?

MLMs cause a lot of congestion - you can get a lot more cars in 3 lanes than 2, so by effectively blocking off large sections of lane 1 they are reducing the available capacity, hence congestion. Speed is not a huge factor - often the queue in lane 3 is doing 65-70 trying to overtake the 60 mph MLM in lane 2.

Also, if I come up behind you in lane 1, I'd rather not have to cross 2 lanes to overtake, one is a lot safer.

Only time I will sit in the middle lane is around midnight coming up the M20 with a HGV to overtake every minute.

I use lane 3 to overtake lorries late at night - less chance they will swerve into you then.

[TAKTAK]

Thats right!! The outside lane is for going really slow!!

[matty-hodgson]

How1.. could you not have made your name How2 instead?