View Full Version : Motorway Lane Discipline...
fizzwheel
09-05-09, 07:58 PM
MEH GET OUT THE F*CKING MIDDLE LANE...
I've spent today on the M5 / M6 despite both being surprisingly quiet i.e. empty. WHY OH WHY OH WHY OH WHY
Do people sit in the middle lane when theres nothing on the Horzion for them to overtake. Same goes for the outside lane hoggers to.
What happens to these people do they doze off and get some kind of tunnel vision effect or does their steering lockup and they're unable to change lane.
I reckon traffic would flow alot easier if they made undertaking legal, but what would happen to the accident rate I wander...
dirtydog
09-05-09, 08:14 PM
Me and Kitkat were saying the same thing today as we travelled up the M40 and then back down again
timwilky
09-05-09, 08:22 PM
It was explained to me by some old git years ago. The first lane is the trucks lane, he drives in the car lanes
thedonal
09-05-09, 08:24 PM
Yeah. It's rubbish.
Another complaint is those who are in lane 2 and only pull out to overtake (really slowly) when a vehicle (ie me on my bike) is almost on top of them, despite having had plenty of time to move before that.
AND the fact that you can't have any gap in front of you now- if you leave a proper 3 second gap from the car in front, it'll be filled by another idiot!
This all, again, proves that speed is not the main problem on the roads- it's sloppy driving and poor attention to the situation. I SO wish the govt would at least spend more on ad campaigns to highlight this.
I remember an ad, years ago- the 90's I think. If I remember, it was Peter Purvis basically saying it's not foggy- therefore do not use the f**king fog lights, you IDIOTS.
More of that, please.
[/rant]
thedonal
09-05-09, 08:25 PM
ps- apologies for steering on from the basic topic. Not a complete derail, mind.
Red Herring
09-05-09, 08:29 PM
"Undertaking" as you call it isn't actually illegal in itself, you just need to be aware that the dipstick in the middle lane might actually wake up and suddenly realise their error, then move back to the nearside without looking in their mirror. If they did there may be a bit of an argument around what you were doing based on most drivers think you should pass on the offside and therefore they couldn't reasonably have expected you to be on the nearside etc etc.... Has been known to lead to charges of careless driving so pass on the nearside at your own risk. Personally I frequently pass on the nearside, but only if I have approached in the nearside lane for some distance, had plenty of time to watch the behaviour/driving of the vehicle in the centre/offside lane, and the hardshoulder is available in an emergency, and the nearside lane is clear well past them so I don't have to cut out in front of them.
Undertaking isn't illegal? :confused:
I think it contravenes the highway code, but the highway code isn't law. However you can still be done for driving without due care or dangerous driving. I don't think there's actually any laws stating that you can't overtake on the inside though.
madness
09-05-09, 08:49 PM
Are you sure that overtaking on the left/undertaking is not illegal? I've always been led to believe that it is in the circumstances being discussed ie. Motorwy driving
Speedy Claire
09-05-09, 08:51 PM
It annoys the hell out of me and I have to admit i`ve at times undertook. Usually I`ll overtake them properly then dramatically pull over the inside lane :D
madness
09-05-09, 08:52 PM
Usually I`ll overtake them properly then dramatically pull over the inside lane :D
Me too!
Highway Code rule 268 advises against undertaking: "Do not overtake on the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake."[/URL] On other roads you can "only overtake on the left if the vehicle in front is signalling to turn right" (rule 163). On all roads, undertaking is permitted if the vehicles in the lane to the right are queueing and slow moving.[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overtaking_on_the_inside#cite_note-2"] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overtaking_on_the_inside#cite_note-1) Undertaking in an aggressive or reckless manner could be considered Careless Driving or more seriously Dangerous Driving, both of which are legally enforceable offences.
The only legally enforcable offences applicable, are those above. Everything else is advice.
I frequently undertake, and in fact have undertaken numerous police cars (both marked and unmarked), without retribution.
But like Red Hering says, do so at your own risk!!
Oh Dear.....
Fizz, I've been on the M5 today, from Worcester down to Weston Super Mud! You may have passed me!
But at one point I was overtaking and the outside lane was clear but this big red van came storming up behind me and the cheeky git actually flashed me. Err, where can I go there is a car to my left, but you can go into the outside lane.
fizzwheel
09-05-09, 09:11 PM
Fizz, I've been on the M5 today, from Worcester down to Weston Super Mud! You may have passed me!
What sort of time ?
I cant believe who quiet the motorway was today. I've seen it busier on weekdays...
What sort of time ?
I cant believe who quiet the motorway was today. I've seen it busier on weekdays...
We were driving down between 11 and 12.30, and coming back around 5. Had a lovely day walking around the old town.
fizzwheel
09-05-09, 09:17 PM
I probably past you on the way back, But I was going South Bound as you were going North...
xXBADGERXx
10-05-09, 01:01 AM
I get this a lot to be honest on my commute to work , there will be a massive truck in the slow lane on the Dual carriageway and I will be zipping along at "a nice speed" . Some dolt will burn right up to the back of the truck and sit there , I have already moved to the outer lane in anticipation of having to overtake in advance . They will suddenly decide , after about 40 seconds of sitting behind a truck , to overtake it on a hilly part of the road and crawl along barely managing with their tiny 1 litre engine .
There is nobody behind me for miles , nobody ahead but these spam javelins in a Nissan potato , why they couldn`t wait and be courteous by letting me waft past first and then overtake the truck after I pass is beyond me . I decided a long time ago not to gun it past them to get my overtake in first otherwise I`ll be treated to a glancing blow from a SMIDSY type accident which will be at motorway speeds and not pretty . Patience is key to all of this but it is very hard to sit there and not use the full potential that our machines have .......
BUT , I am going to admit I rode like a complete tool last Wednesday as I was late for work after the Dog decided to redecorate the Kitchen floor with half chewed biscuits and Vomm . I did 2 undertakes as people were plainly dawdling at 60 in the outer lane with jack all in front of them and had loads of room to get into the inner lane . It was done in the manner that Red Herring mentioned by watching them for a bit and assessing that they were "unlikely" to just pull back into the inner lane , I did feel like I had broken the law in some massive way and was expecting a SWAT team to abseil from a helicopter and empty a brace of M16`s into my face .
yorkie_chris
10-05-09, 01:12 AM
Bunch of pri(ks the lot of em.
I get this a lot to be honest on my commute to work , there will be a massive truck in the slow lane on the Dual carriageway and I will be zipping along at "a nice speed" . Some dolt will burn right up to the back of the truck and sit there , I have already moved to the outer lane in anticipation of having to overtake in advance . They will suddenly decide , after about 40 seconds of sitting behind a truck , to overtake it on a hilly part of the road and crawl along barely managing with their tiny 1 litre engine .
There's always a gap between the truck and the car if you're really in a rush :-P
and was expecting a SWAT team to abseil from a helicopter and empty a brace of M16`s into my face .
Nah you don't look nearly foreign enough! You'd get a baton across the legs when you weren't looking :-P
Jamiebridges123
10-05-09, 01:25 AM
WHY OH WHY OH WHY OH WHY
Is the shape of my chromosones. (See if anyone get's that :drink:)
ONTOPIC : yes motorway discipline is terrible. Love the government, and blame them infact for not teaching you how to drive on it before you pass your bloody test.
I did 2 undertakes as people were plainly dawdling at 60 in the outer lane with jack all in front of them and had loads of room to get into the inner lane .
...
I did feel like I had broken the law in some massive way and was expecting a SWAT team to abseil from a helicopter and empty a brace of M16`s into my face .
You feel like that at first, but after commuting from Anglesey to Denbigh & enjoying too much sleep regularly it becomes a habit. The last time I had brown smelly stuff was when I undertook an car just after J22 A55 at "NSL" speed, only for him to light up the pretty blue lights on the front. Still, he can't of thought I did much wrong, as he just wound down his window & shouted that I was going to kill myself if I wasn't careful.
There's always a gap between the truck and the car if you're really in a rush :-P
+1. I've gone for some silly gaps in the past though. Like between two trucks travelling in opposite directions on a single carriageway road. I wouldn't advise that one in hindsight! :shock:
The point is, if you're on the bike & in a rush, undertaking (on the motorway or otherwise) will probably (and quite rightly) get you charged with careless/dangerous driving if you're seen.
Do it sensibly, and with caution (ala Red Herring), and they won't even bat an eyelid. Unless they're anal... :-dd
Spiderman
10-05-09, 11:06 AM
Fizz see this website for much more stories of this kind of utter laziness http://www.middlelanemorons.com however i wouldn't advise any of us on bikes try and get a pic to submit for their gallery ;)
Is the shape of my chromosones. (See if anyone get's that :drink:)
You have O shaped chromosomes?!?!?!?!?! I'll just stick to my Xs and Ys thanks ;)
xXBADGERXx
10-05-09, 11:30 AM
The last silly gap I went for was in 1992 , chasing my mate on his VFR400 , he zipped down the Ogwen Valley and I gunned it after him . He overtook a Caravan before a bend and I commited as well , just as I go for it ANOTHER Caravan comes in the opposite direction and I decide that it will be a bit of a squeeeeeeeeze but I am sure it will be fine ............... Back in those days a lot of these Volvo driving , Caravan towing types used to fit extended mirrors , the type that had a brace on them that rested on the car door and were epically wide , and dark , and quite hard to spot ..... especially when fixated on the gap the 2 Caravans have in front of you .........
Anyhooooooo , gunning it , gap , mates brake lights on for the bend . Left arm hits the extended mirror of the Caravan I am overtaking and just as I twitch the bar back the extended mirror of the approaching Caravan hits my right arm . I rescue the impending Tank Slapper , get on the brakes for the bend and a quick glance in my mirror sees the Caravan I overtook , with it`s extended mirror gangling about on it`s bungee cord , boffing and bashing into the side of the car in the wind and all I can remember was that I saw the number plate on the back of the Caravan before the overtake and it was G reg so was practically new .
Head Down , Tail Up and we didn`t stop until Bangor :)
Of course if any Officer of the law is reading this and has a reported case of a somewhat similar story in the Ogwen Valley around that time , then it is a complete fabrication of my mind and has been provided for entertainment purposes only ;)
IIRC undertaking is illegal and you will get pulled for it. Unless the traffic in lane 2 is moving slower than speed limit. so if they are going 60 in middle lane you can pass on the inside at 70.
I've gone for some silly gaps in the past though. Like between two trucks travelling in opposite directions on a single carriageway road. I wouldn't advise that one in hindsight! :shock:
"Yeeeeehaaaaa"
pause.
"I shall never do that again"
Shellywoozle
10-05-09, 03:48 PM
Funny I was on the M6 today and had that same conversation with my passenger, was only me and one other car moving to the left when not overtaking.
xXBADGERXx
10-05-09, 03:54 PM
See, there`s wasted space between the headlights of these bikes nowadays , I`m pretty sure a chaingun would look sweet there , just ride up behind them , hit the button and when they see the barrel spinning up they would soon shift over :smt066
"TWeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, BUDDA BUDDA BUDDA SPANK PTANG SPANG"
Shift over you moronic mouth breather
metalangel
10-05-09, 05:19 PM
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r46/Motorbiker_photos/NewsPics/Combat-motorcycle.jpg
xxbadgerxx's bike, yesterday.
xXBADGERXx
10-05-09, 05:25 PM
Oh HELL yes where do I get me one of those puppies
phil24_7
10-05-09, 05:34 PM
MEH GET OUT THE F*CKING MIDDLE LANE...
I've spent today on the M5 / M6 despite both being surprisingly quiet i.e. empty. WHY OH WHY OH WHY OH WHY
Do people sit in the middle lane when theres nothing on the Horzion for them to overtake. Same goes for the outside lane hoggers to.
What happens to these people do they doze off and get some kind of tunnel vision effect or does their steering lockup and they're unable to change lane.
I reckon traffic would flow alot easier if they made undertaking legal, but what would happen to the accident rate I wander...
I do an enormous amount of miles on the motorways and it truly is THE most irritating thing and causes queues of traffic to build up.
undertaking is legal in many states in the USA and doesn't seem to cause them many issues.
By the way, undertaking isn't illegal I don't think (did it the other week with a cop on my tale and he didn't mention it whilst writing out my speeding ticket :() but changing lanes to undertake is.
gettin2dizzy
10-05-09, 05:37 PM
I'm glad to see recently the led matrix signs are displaying 'keep left'.
I often wonder why it isn't encouraged more, as it'd inevitably reduce accidents.
Are you sure that overtaking on the left/undertaking is not illegal? I've always been led to believe that it is in the circumstances being discussed ie. Motorwy driving
Overtaking on the left is not an offence in the United Kingdom.From Spidey's link http://www.middlelanemorons.com/script/middle_lane_morons_prob.php#RESPONSE
xXBADGERXx
10-05-09, 05:38 PM
but changing lanes to undertake is.
Ahaaaaa, that could be the key , whipping back in , gunning it then whipping back into the faster lane . That is the bit they would really not like I should imagine
Jamiebridges123
10-05-09, 06:24 PM
Today on the A3 some old lady in a Corsa or Ka or some other little ecobox was sat in the middle lane staring at her satnav doing 60mph.. annoying!!
Luckypants
11-05-09, 09:04 AM
Middle lane meanderers annoy the hell out of me! Had a classic yesterday on M58, empty road for literally miles, one Nissan Micra in the distance in the middle lane. Pulled out from lane one one to overtake, still no junctions or other vehicles in sight, flashed her and pointed at lane one as I passed. She shat herself before moving over, obviously had no idea I was on the road!
The best bit? It was a driving school car still showing the L-plates, so obviously she was on the way to/from a job - right? :rolleyes:
MEH GET OUT THE F*CKING MIDDLE LANE...
I've spent today on the M5 / M6 despite both being surprisingly quiet i.e. empty. WHY OH WHY OH WHY OH WHY
Do people sit in the middle lane when theres nothing on the Horzion for them to overtake. Same goes for the outside lane hoggers to.
What happens to these people do they doze off and get some kind of tunnel vision effect or does their steering lockup and they're unable to change lane.
I reckon traffic would flow alot easier if they made undertaking legal, but what would happen to the accident rate I wander...Hee hee, im with ya. However, my pete hate is where you are sitting in the outside lane, pootling along at around 90, then some fool flashe me to get out the way...as they do... then goes past and sits at 90! Dont get it!. Lane disciplie is terrible in this country thats for sure.
i just undertake them,
it adds to the enjoyment of motoerway riding
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