Middle Lane Morons, version 2...

[digit]

It took 4 cars on the M1 myself included undertaking someone sticking to the outer most lane with the other 2 lanes empty, to move over last week.. Then about 10 more miles down a strech another muppet sailing along in the middle lane. I really do think a lesson or two on motorways as part of learning to drive is the way forward

[Hyperviper34]

I think what’s happened (but it’s just not official yet) - the lanes have been reversed….. just need to tell the HGV’s the news get them to move to the fast lane leaving the inside lane completely free

[Teamsreth]

Perhaps because it is not illegal to drive in the lanes to the right when the two on the left are clear. It is very annoying, but how would you write a law against it? Drivers would have to pull over immediately after getting past the vehicle in the left lane, but what would be a "safe" distance? What if there are hazards in the left lanes?

I was under the impression that the Left hand lane was the correct lane, and the other lanes are only to be used to overtake as below :

Lane discipline
264
You should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear. If you are overtaking a number of slower-moving vehicles, you should return to the left-hand lane as soon as you are safely past. Slow-moving or speed-restricted vehicles should always remain in the left-hand lane of the carriageway unless overtaking. You MUST NOT drive on the hard shoulder except in an emergency or if directed to do so by the police, HA traffic officers in uniform or by signs.

Same with undertaking, there is no specific law against it because of situations such as slow traffic where it is all in the right lanes with an empty left lane. Most people would agree that's a reasonable time to undertake. It could be seen as driving without due care and attention, though.

267
Do not overtake unless you are sure it is safe and legal to do so. Overtake only on the right.

The Highway code, which all of us with licences should have read, (You have to say you have read it when you sit any test), is the list of rules we must follow.

I have broken many of the rules in the code, but do so knowing the risks. Also, regardless of whether we agree with any of the rules, Thems are the rules....

[KidChameleon]

I was under the impression that the Left hand lane was the correct lane, and the other lanes are only to be used to overtake as below :



The Highway code, which all of us with licences should have read, (You have to say you have read it when you sit any test), is the list of rules we must follow.

I have broken many of the rules in the code, but do so knowing the risks. Also, regardless of whether we agree with any of the rules, Thems are the rules....

The Highway Code is not entirely law.

Although failure to comply with the other rules of the Code will not, in itself, cause a person to be prosecuted, The Highway Code may be used in evidence in any court proceedings under the Traffic Acts (see 'The road user and the law') to establish liability. This includes rules which use advisory wording such as ‘should/should not’ or ‘do/do not’.

So as I said, while it's not illegal it could be used against the driver for other charges.

[dave87]

The Highway Code is not entirely law.

Nope, but I think you would have a hard time removing the Highway code from any court cases relating to driving standards.

So as I said, while it's not illegal it could be used against the driver for other charges.

This point you are fairly correct on, as if the Police Officer deemed it necessary you could be prosecuted for driving without due care and attention if it was deemed that there was little reason for you to be in the right hand lanes.

The other thing is, and has been pointed out before, that the law makes no differentiation between over and undertaking, where as the highway code does. I'll dig out my copy of the Highway Code and Roadcraft, see what it says.

[finlay666]

The other thing is, and has been pointed out before, that the law makes no differentiation between over and undertaking, where as the highway code does. I'll dig out my copy of the Highway Code and Roadcraft, see what it says.

If memory serves correct you can only undertake when the traffic in the outside lane is turning right on a dual carriageway. I think....

[dave87]

If memory serves correct you can only undertake when the traffic in the outside lane is turning right on a dual carriageway. I think....

Or natural traffic movements (i.e queues of static traffic in the right hand lane) produce such a situation.

Is a while ago I last looked at highway code/roadcraft

[badass]

Perhaps because it is not illegal to drive in the lanes to the right when the two on the left are clear.

Funny that. It is illegal. If you happen to know a Policeman, tell them to look up Driving a vehicle on a public road without consideration for other road users.

Ask him to tell you what the Police database uses as an example of this offence

So it is illegal. And selfish. Someone that drives like that is either a complete plank because they don't have a clue what's going on around them and is therefore a bad driver or its a self richeous idiot of a person that thinks they can police the motorways or it's just a complete moron of a road hog that doesn't like being overtaken as it damages their fragile ego.

Middle lane morons and road hogs are either incompetent drivers or ****holes then.

Anyone got any other arguments in defence of middle lane morons?

EDIT - just found some linkage. http://www.keepmedriving.com/categor...consideration/

Examples of what would be regarded as inconsiderate driving include:

* flashing your lights so that the driver in front will pull over;
* misuse of an inside lane, hard shoulder or parking areas so as to get ahead of a queue;
* remaining in an overtaking lane when no longer overtaking;
* driving too slowly or breaking unnecessarily;
* dazzlingoncoming drivers by inappropriate use of full beam; and
* splashing pedestrians by driving through puddles;

Self richeous people on the other side of the (of)fence, note the first point. Ram the idiots off the road instead

[Butcher]

If all these crazy changes they're touting at the moment come in, we might see a few more MLMs prosecuted for inconsiderate driving. Currently it requires a court visit, but there's a proposal to allow police to issue a FPN for it, which I think would be a good thing.

[Bunjiweb]

I have jumped into this thread rather late but personally I feel that it is down to the fact that very few people do "Pass Plus" or similar post-examination extras to give them guidance as to the best and safest ways to use multi-lane motorways.

I don't see why people refuse to change lanes and just sit there cruising when if they used the motorway a lot more efficiently then it would lead to less accidents, less congestion and less stress on my behalf...

Ben

[LWA]

Ever walked down the street and thought to yourself:

"If I don't move, I'm just going to walk directly into this person"

Well those people who are blithering their way down the street not watching where they are going, I'm convinced they are our MLMs.

People who live their lives completely ignorant and oblivious to everybody else really get my goat....

[eshrules]

I have jumped into this thread rather late but personally I feel that it is down to the fact that very few people do "Pass Plus" or similar post-examination extras to give them guidance as to the best and safest ways to use multi-lane motorways.

I don't see why people refuse to change lanes and just sit there cruising when if they used the motorway a lot more efficiently then it would lead to less accidents, less congestion and less stress on my behalf...

Ben

it's not just young'uns who cause the issue, so you can't generalise like that. I never did pass plus, but I've learnt lane discipline and get just as eggy about middle lane morons as anybody else.

I'm always on the inside lane, unless overtaking or traffic is congested to the point whereby it's no longer sensible to be there.

what I despise, is being forced into the most outer lane, simply because the middle lane moron is too lazy to move to the inside lane.

[Gunbuster]

These are the same idiots that don't know what the speed limit is for a Dual Carriage way, use indicators only when they are performing the turn, if at all and don't understand alignment in 2 lane roundabouts.

Gah!

Hell I pull over for 71+ drivers as soon as I can after clearing 60- drivers becuase I prefer to be pragmatically correct than just technically.

[kalniel]

There's nothing wrong with driving at 60 on a dual carriage way as long as you're not causing anyone else to take risks as a result.

The main one I go on to work has a nasty corner on it as well, which some people still try to take at 70, and if the surface is anything less than perfect they usually end up crashing (there's a brick wall a long distance away on the inside of the corner, but there are more holes than there is wall left now from people spinning, going up the grass verge and then through the wall. I think they hit the corner and understeer then lift off or brake in panic, causing oversteer).

[Gunbuster]

Exactly, it's those that cause problems for others driving at the speed limit in safe and reasonable conditions (straight road, dry day) that I have a problem with.

[finlay666]

it's not just young'uns who cause the issue, so you can't generalise like that. I never did pass plus, but I've learnt lane discipline and get just as eggy about middle lane morons as anybody else.

I'm always on the inside lane, unless overtaking or traffic is congested to the point whereby it's no longer sensible to be there.

what I despise, is being forced into the most outer lane, simply because the middle lane moron is too lazy to move to the inside lane.

I think it is a driving mentality thing.

I have done a LOT (as in 10k or so so far) motorway miles since 9 months ago and don't sit in the middle lane/outer lane unless I am overtaking then pull in after.

Funnily enough I reckon me going at a steady 65-70mph in the inner/middle lane I would probably get to my destination quicker than a member of CLOG (Centre lane owner group)