Friends,
I have just completed a hair raising journey on the M40!
Is it legal to undertake?
My wife and I have been gibbering wrecks because of motorcyclists and those in fast cars who zip through on the inside!
One moment they are behind and then "WHANG" they go past on the inside!
Your thoughts would be appreciated, Peter.
Very simple you may only undertake if, for example, traffic in lane 1 is moving faster than that in lane 2. This would normally apply only if traffic was queuing in both lanes.
It is worth pointing out here that Lane 1 should be used in normal circumstances. Lanes two and three should only be used for overtaking traffic which is travelling slower than you are. You must return to lane one as soon as is convenient.
It is not permissible to travel in lane two if lane one is empty.
it's simple, according to the regulations it's not allowed, only in queuing traffic
but.
it's also not allowed to stay to long on the fastest lanes, you should always drive in the slowest lanes and only use a faster lane for an overtake.
for me it was quit a shock when I moved to the UK to see how many people like their lane hughing and it's indeed a big frustration as somebody stays in his lane where the slowest lane is empty.
luckily as of next year our police force has got much more power for lane hughers. 3 points and a £ 100,-- on the spot fine.
so in this case Peter and sorry if it's offensive but if you don't like to be undertaken drive in the slow lane, overtake lorries and other slow moving traffic and go back as quick as you can.
Quote from: port perran on July 09, 2013, 08:44:35 PM
It is not permissible to travel in lane two if lane one is empty.
Not only that, it is downright dangerous....
It forces people to adjust their speed either to undertake or go across 3 lanes to overtake someone sitting in the middle lane, instead of being able to go with the flow of the traffic.
Lane one ain't just for lorries and coaches......
The M40 is a real race-track, helped by a general avoidance of big towns (Banbury and High Wycombe being the closest towns of any size), being the most direct link between London and Birmingham, and finally being quite straight and level.
The overtaking late is just a procession of BMWs, Audis and Mercs* thundering along at 85/90 mph. They don't stop.
As said the the previous post, my advice is that you stick to lane 1, unless overtaking. Is it illegal to undertake? Strictly speaking yes, with the exceptions explained by PP, but it is always best not to give them the opportunity.
* Other car makes driven at 100mph everywhere are available!
Quote from: Maurits71 on July 09, 2013, 08:59:32 PM
it's simple, according to the regulations it's not allowed, only in queuing traffic
but.
it's also not allowed to stay to long on the fastest lanes, you should always drive in the slowest lanes and only use a faster lane for an overtake.
for me it was quit a shock when I moved to the UK to see how many people like their lane hughing and it's indeed a big frustration as somebody stays in his lane where the slowest lane is empty.
luckily as of next year our police force has got much more power for lane hughers. 3 points and a £ 100,-- on the spot fine.
so in this case Peter and sorry if it's offensive but if you don't like to be undertaken drive in the slow lane, overtake lorries and other slow moving traffic and go back as quick as you can.
What I forgot to add was that we were in the process of speeding up to overtake other vehicles when they popped up on our inside!
Once it happened as we were indicating in to the slow lane!
I have also encountered this...people are very impatient. Sometimes it is just safer to find a truck and follow it!
Speed doesn't kill...impatience does.
:-\ I'm afraid I just don't like driving on motorways, never have done but done it because of need. However I did love driving on the autoroutes in France :confused2:
Speed doesn't kill per say - it's coming to a sudden and unexpected stop by hitting a stationary or slower moving vehicle that often does. But speed is a contributory factor in the cause of accidents.
If I remember correctly there are some 'allowances' for 'undertaking'
- On one way streets.
- When passing a vehicle signalling to turn right.
- When instructed to do so by a police officer.
- Where there are rows of traffic and the outer lane is queuing and slower moving
- and there is probably conjecture over the current recent type of 'lane control' on some motorways where there are rows of congested traffic and continually changing lanes in not allowed/recommended
But any undertaking considered aggressive or reckless could be deemed dangerous or careless.
H.
Lane 1; the truckers' secret weapon..... :bounce:
I will not get on my hobbyhorse - >:( I will NOT get on my Hobby Horse . . . :veryangry:
Until we moved last year, we were regular and frequent users of the M40. Now we use the M1 more, which is even worse - though traffic on the M40 tends to travel faster.
My understanding of the motorways is that there is NOT a 'fast' or 'slow' lane but a 'driving lane' (Lane 1 or the left-hand lane) and two overtaking lanes. As stated by others, the idea is to return from an overtaking lane to the left hand lane (if it is clear and safe to do so) as quickly as possible. When it gets awkward is when there is a gap between vehicles that is big enough to drop into but then you need to pull out again almost immediately to overtake the next vehicle in front.
If someone has room to undertake me as you describe, Peter, I'd have to think if I should have not been in that lane. I was a little uncertain of your statement of accelerating to overtake when already in the overtaking lane. Perhaps I was taught differently to you - it was a long time ago and some things have changed.
A final thought - it is not speed in itself that is dangerous. It is the wrong speed at the wrong time in the wrong place. At times, too slow can be just as dangerous as too fast. The major cause of problems on the motorways in particular is the speed differential between vehicles. I sometimes wonder if the Americans aren't right - everyone should be travelling at the same speed on a motorway.
But we are all too selfish (as a species), I guess, to drive courteously for others.
John
:(
But I'm sure everyone on here are safe and courteous drivers. :angel:
Part of the explanation for middle lane hogging in my view is that drivers are afraid if they move into the left lane that they won't be able to get out again as they catch up something slow, because of the continuous flow of vehicles that have already pulled out or are already hogging the middle lane. Sometimes it is necessary to be a little assertive, turn on the indicator, keep a good lookout in the mirrors and see if either a gap appears or someone moves out into the right lane to make room. There is also a duty on those already in the middle lane to show a bit of courtesy in this respect!
Lane hogging in turn leads to the hairy situation when lots of people go into the right hand lane to sustain their chosen speed, and suddenly that lane is the most busy and moving slower than the lanes to the left.
I hate to make a generalisation here but most of the time undertaking only occurs when someone is keeping faithfully to the middle lane regardless of the inside lane being free, or when the outside lane becomes sluggish and the middle lane is moving faster.
Either way, undertaking is extremely dangerous. I have lost track of the times I have had to move from the inside lane over to the outside lane to overtake someone tootling along in the middle lane. When I then return from the outside to the inner lane they still do not take the hint, but remain in the middle lane.
To a certain extent I can understand why someone would undertake but it is asking for an accident to occur.
There are, however, certain people who really enjoy lane changing and the inherent dangers of undertaking and will just weave in and out as if to alleviate boredom. There's never a copper about when you need one :no:
May be unrelated to the original OP, but sometimes there is no option other than to undertake for the reason already given - lane hogging.
Classic case yesterday in the M25 roadworks: 50mph limit, car in middle lane doing a steady 42mph ::) Can't use outside lane as HGVs not allowed to, plus due to roadworks it's a 6'6" width limit. No amount of flashing lights or even a short toot on the horn would get them to move into the completely empty left lane. So, do we create a lengthening stream of lorries in the middle lane waiting to overtake, or do we move over and (illegally) pass on the left thereby keeping the traffic moving? ;)
Paul
Lots of interesting stuff. I wonder how many drivers used to British habits would fare down here in South Africa. I suspect lots of you would end up rather scared very quickly !
A number of years ago,1994 I think,two of my mates were going on holiday abroad.The mate whose car it was had a girlfriend who was absolutely petrified of motorway driving so they asked me to go in order to drive their car home so she could use it for work.I duly agreed because it was a cracking car.
Anyway,my mate has a deep hatred for middle lane hoggers so,on the M62 on the way to Manchester Airport we came across a middle lane hogger.What my mate did was absolutely brilliant.He pulled into lane 3 and overtook the MLH then pulled into lane one and slowed down so MLH cruised past,then he pulled into lane 3 once more and overtook MLH,slowed back down when he returned to lane 1.As the MLH cruised by once more,the driver and his wife were jesturing with their hands what they thought of my mate and us as though we were the ones at fault.These were also a middle aged couple as well.
So my mate did the overtake again and lo and behold,a dark coloured Vauxhall Omega was behind but a fair bit back.Again we returned to lane 1 and Omega men caught up,passed us and guess what,it was full of bacon who duly popped on the little blues in their front grille and pulled over the newly crowned president of the Middle Lane Owners Club.
We of course laughed our heads off as we went by,in lane 1 of course as he was slowing to a stop on the hard shoulder.
It might not be big and clever but the end surely justified the means.
Pete
:Class31: :Class37: :NGaugersRule:
......and you've never got your gun with you when you want it >:D
I'm afraid I have to agree with the majority of comments in this thread...
Undertaking is not (in normal traffic conditions) legal. But if there was room for you to be undertaken it is most likely YOU were in an inappropriate lane for your speed relative to the other traffic on the motorway...
If as you say you had pulled out to overtake, it sounds likely you had pulled out way too prematurely (for your relative speed to the vehicle you intended to pass) otherwise there wouldn't be space for the undertaker to do so without colliding with the rear of the car you were passing...
Quote from: Belated on July 09, 2013, 11:12:41 PM
If someone has room to undertake me as you describe, Peter, I'd have to think if I should have not been in that lane. I was a little uncertain of your statement of accelerating to overtake when already in the overtaking lane. Perhaps I was taught differently to you - it was a long time ago and some things have changed.
Totally agree. I have been on quiet stretches of motorway where I have been in first lane catch a car in second lane, have to move to the third lane to pass and then back to the first lane, And still they stay sit in the second lane with no other cars in sight :veryangry:
The other point is I am sure it says in the highway code that you should drive to the speed limit if safe to do so. so if your doing 60mph on the motorway (70mph)or 40mph on a unrestricted country road (60) and its safe to do the speed limit you are not driving in accordance with the highway code. :scowl:
Quote from: Only Me on July 10, 2013, 12:05:39 AM
This can be a touchy subject... I wonder Peter what speed you were trying to achieve whilst attempting to overtake? In my opinion you should be doing at least 70 if you enter the fast lane (yes i know 70 is the national speed limit thanks)...
85 at a guess! In the heat of the moment I wasn't actually interested in the speedometer!
Since I was being overtaken by others in the fast lane I think it was nothing unusual!
One person in a huge Black bulbous thing with HUGE exhaust pipes, we hardly saw him just the roar as he/she or perhaps it, too weaved in and out of the traffic at a guesstimate off 100+ ! The car came up the inside from nowhere crossed in front of us and straight out into the outer lane and disappeared.
Since it appears that I am getting the reputation of being a middle lane hogger and travelling too slow or whatever for the conditions and not having the decency to stay in the inside lane I will state that in the 49 years of motoring on English roads and some in foreign countries, that.................
This was the first time that both my wife and I have literally been scared by the actions of others!
I have broken the laws of driving many times, I have driven over Red lights (By mistake), I have speeded because I didn't see the repeater signs, I have been stopped by the Police for not having brake lights, I am not perfect!
I do not consider myself to be dangerous, but I do have my shortcomings!
What are yours?
Replies on a postcard and the first one drawn out of the hat on the 25th. of July will get a surprise gift!
The M40 is bad for this I was undertaken, I was in lane two overtaking 2 cars in lane one, lane three was empty. A car came screaming up behind me and unto OK us all by using hard shoulder, all at very high speed.
Quote from: BobB on July 10, 2013, 05:21:19 AM
Lots of interesting stuff. I wonder how many drivers used to British habits would fare down here in South Africa. I suspect lots of you would end up rather scared very quickly !
Dunno about Africa but India was pretty scary - especially when you realise nobody has music on in the car because you *need* to hear all the different honks from around you.
Mind you not as scary as some co-workers in Saudi. Their driver was a total nut job and when they asked him to slow down a bit he just assured them "God willing we will get there, otherwise we will not"
Peter, I did not mean to criticize your driving, certainly when not knowing all the facts. If you weren't there you can not know the whole situation. I, too, for my sins do not always observe the full Highway Code - some of it I don't even agree with. I have been overtaken on the inside. I have also passed cars in their inside when doing so does not mean my changing speed and usually because I can't even get out to pass them on the outside but the lane in front of me is clear almost as far as I can see.
However, EP I can agree with your sentiments about driving in Saudi and India (and China and Iran). Even more frightening is the Indian practice of driving in the dark with no lights on - and there are no street lights - then switching on main beams at the approach of another vehicle! After they pass, they switch the lights OFF again! Never did understand that, even after 2 years there.
There are many things I could tell you about driving abroad that would really make you hair curl. This is still one of the best countries to drive in, IMHO.
John
Quote from: petercharlesfagg on July 10, 2013, 07:38:56 PM
Since it appears that I am getting the reputation of being a middle lane hogger and travelling too slow or whatever for the conditions and not having the decency to stay in the inside lane I will state that in the 49 years of motoring on English roads and some in foreign countries, that.................
This was the first time that both my wife and I have literally been scared by the actions of others!
I have broken the laws of driving many times, I have driven over Red lights (By mistake), I have speeded because I didn't see the repeater signs, I have been stopped by the Police for not having brake lights, I am not perfect!
I do not consider myself to be dangerous, but I do have my shortcomings!
What are yours?
Replies on a postcard and the first one drawn out of the hat on the 25th. of July will get a surprise gift!
pwhoeuie, I think you're a big danger on the road reading all this, speeding, driving through red, lane hughing. how did you ever get your drivers licence, with Tesco points you're s serious danger on the road.
:claphappy: :claphappy:sorry Peet, just teasing a bit I would never start a treat like this as you can wait for the comments, I wasn't there but I do agree with some comments that if people can undertake you while you overtake you're still in the wrong lane. ( and 85 is also 15 miles too fast, means 3 points an 90 quit. )
like others we were not there, but they way you described the whole story I can see what happened.
Just to put the other side of this some of the idiots out there only need a gap just bigger than their car and they will be in it regardless of laws. It may be that Peter prefers to leave a safe braking distance between himself and the vehicle in front and pulls out in good time also maintaining better visibility ahead ;)
Driving a truck all day you see so many dangerous instances of lane-changing, tailgating and the resultant carnage when it doesn't quite go to plan, all from a high vantage point, that you start to realise just how few safe considerate drivers are out there :confused1:
Don't take it personally Peter, as John said you're the only one who was actually there and know the situation, everything else is just based on assumptions :thumbsup:
Paul
One time I will move to the second lane is approaching a junction where I do not want to come off. Keeping to the left lane almost guarantees that one car at least will swerve across at the last moment and turn off, taking the paint off the front of my car with it. The M1 and M3 have some sensible junctions, where the left lane becomes the off slip (and on slip), but most do not, so using the second lane helps those who want to leave get to the slip road, and also helps those joining after the junction as well.
Those joining a motorway are supposed to match their speed and merge safely with traffic in lane one - not just pull in to it expecting others to move over or slow down - that's why the on/off slips are often referred to as acceleration/decal lanes. Problem is some slips don't have much of a lead-in these days.
And truck drivers are guilty of infringements of the highway code just as much as car drivers - particularly tailgating, lane wandering (due to dozing or reading or using a 'phone or even cooking food), and 'forcing their way in' when joining the motorway. Or driving two abreast in two lanes for mile after mile. >:D
H.
I totally agree Grahame, some of the truckers are the worst! You'll notice when I mentioned dangerous instances not once did I say car drivers ;)
Oh, and you forgot to mention lane-wandering (into the hard shoulder!) due to using both hands to roll a fag while steering with the knees, as observed on the M11 :o
Paul
As driving instructor I am interested in this post. All of you seem to have the right idea about motorway driving. Let me say that there is no fast or slow lane. The speed limit is 70 mph so think of lanes 1, 2 and 3 (or more). The rules of the road state that you should drive on the left unless overtaking. (When did you last read the Highway Code?). Lane 1 is often congested with lorries and caravans etc. but you should return to lane 1 when possible. (avoid lane hopping). Many drivers hog lane 2 because of this or because they are scared stiff. If you are in lane 1 and want to overtake a lane 2 driver you should overtake one lane at a time, no undertaking, frustrating as it may be. The biggest problem on motorways is keeping a safe following distance. A 2 second gap should be maintained (2 chevrons when marked). This may seem excessive but if you have to brake hard pray that the driver behind does not have worn tyres and he/she is not texting!
Quote from: H on July 11, 2013, 09:56:51 PM
Those joining a motorway are supposed to match their speed and merge safely with traffic in lane one - not just pull in to it expecting others to move over or slow down - that's why the on/off slips are often referred to as acceleration/decal lanes. Problem is some slips don't have much of a lead-in these days.
H.
It is precisely because it is sometimes more difficult to match speeds and find a gap, without almost stopping on the hard shoulder, due to a solid line of "obedient" drivers sticking to the left lane, that I always move across one lane at junctions, to allow joiners easy access. It is called "considerate driving". Sticking to the left lane, and impeding ingress from the slip road could be considered "inconsiderate driving" by the Police.
Ooooh.... come on, folks... I'm picking up a rental car in Cambridge on Aug 6th. I don't want to know all this stuff :uneasy:
Mind you,here in Aus we're quite used to people fangin' past in the left lane.
Quote from: Bealman on July 12, 2013, 02:02:19 AM
Ooooh.... come on, folks... I'm picking up a rental car in Cambridge on Aug 6th. I don't want to know all this stuff :uneasy:
Mind you,here in Aus we're quite used to people fangin' past in the left lane.
Will be doing the same on 8th August in York.
Will have to make sure I don't pass on the left then and cause some road rage. :)
As you say: in Oz use whatever lane you can.
Last time driving in Uk was 1984. Couple of surprises then, getting honked for not going on a red light on a ped crossing as there were no peds (fine and demerit points for ignoring a traffic signal in Oz); while passing a semi at 70mph having a BMW pass me on the right at a speed that made my 70 look like I had stopped.
Colin
Yep, in fact it's the folk here that drive past a sign which says "Keep left unless overtaking" and they're doddering along in the right hand lane that get my back up.
Actually, I drove for a couple of weeks in the UK during July only three years ago and didn't find it all that bad as these folk on here make out (he said with crossed fingers :-X)
I'll be in York myself on the 6th and 7th! Leaving on the 8th to go to the fourth Ashes Test in Durham. :beers:
Quote from: NinOz on July 12, 2013, 06:38:02 AM
Last time driving in Uk was 1984. Couple of surprises then, getting honked for not going on a red light on a ped crossing as there were no peds (fine and demerit points for ignoring a traffic signal in Oz)
Same here, fine and points on licence for jumping a red light, you just had an idiot behind you ;)
Paul
Will keep that in mind. Thanks for the heads up! Not that I ever do such things, mind :D
Quote from: Kipper on July 11, 2013, 11:47:12 PM
It is precisely because it is sometimes more difficult to match speeds and find a gap,
Just because it is difficult doesn't mean that you shouldn't do it. Starting observing from the top of the slip rather than waiting until one is about to join or is running out of acceleration lane will help, otherwise you will end up with problems in merging. Also tailgating other vehicles down the slip doesn't help.
I don't recall the Highway code saying that people should swop lanes to accommodate those unable to merge nor have heard of the police charging people for not doing so. It would be more considerate and safer to allow a larger gap for vehicles to merge in to rather than swerve in to another lane (especially as you them upset those coming up faster behind and encourage undertaking).
I always find it is those who are joining that are aggressive or dangerous and fail to either accelerate sufficiently to pull in front of me safely or slow down to tuck in behind - not that there is no room.
H.
Quote from: Kipper on July 11, 2013, 11:47:12 PM
Quote from: H on July 11, 2013, 09:56:51 PM
Those joining a motorway are supposed to match their speed and merge safely with traffic in lane one - not just pull in to it expecting others to move over or slow down - that's why the on/off slips are often referred to as acceleration/decal lanes. Problem is some slips don't have much of a lead-in these days.
H.
It is precisely because it is sometimes more difficult to match speeds and find a gap, without almost stopping on the hard shoulder, due to a solid line of "obedient" drivers sticking to the left lane, that I always move across one lane at junctions, to allow joiners easy access. It is called "considerate driving". Sticking to the left lane, and impeding ingress from the slip road could be considered "inconsiderate driving" by the Police.
Is this OK to do in UK? I always do it on the freeways in Oz as a courtesy and a lower possibility of a collision (with due consideration of what is happening in the right lane(s) of course).
Quote from: NinOz on July 12, 2013, 08:33:15 AM
Is this OK to do in UK? I always do it on the freeways in Oz as a courtesy and a lower possibility of a collision (with due consideration of what is happening in the right lane(s) of course).
IMO it might be deemed inconsiderate as you are then moving over to lane 2 to 'free up' lane 1 for what is likely to be at least quarter of a mile (from before the off slip - claimed to avoid people swerving off in front at that point - plus for the junction over/under bridge distance and then also the on-slip). This will encourage undertaking, upset traffic behind causing bunching and prevent lorries overtaking (who are not allowed in lane 3). It also means anyone coming fast down a joining slip just behind you, and who wants to overtake you, has to join and swerve straight across lanes 1 and 2 to lane 3 - very dangerous - or they simply undertake you (also dangerous).
The problems are exacerbated in heavy traffic, which is when people mostly do it because they think they are helping traffic join at the slip, and, of course, there's no point in light traffic. The rule is drive on the left at all times unless overtaking. It's probably best to stick to that.
H.
Some will say yes, others will say no ;)
I say let common sense prevail: if the next lane is quiet and the's a long stream of traffic looking to join then move over, if however the next lane is busy and you risk causing others to brake or swerve then stay where you are and let joining traffic adjust.
The bottom line of the Highway Code is "your actions should not force others to change speed or direction", but in reality it seems the majority don't really care about that! :no:
Paul
Rather than continually swopping lanes (which is discouraged) it's far safer to allow a larger gap (for traffic to merge in to and avoid collisions) - don't forget the two second rule (which is a minimum).
H.
Trafic joing the motorway should give priority to traffic already on the motorway
Highway code is online:
https://www.gov.uk/motorways-253-to-273/joining-the-motorway-259 (https://www.gov.uk/motorways-253-to-273/joining-the-motorway-259)
Michael
The operative word there being "should" ;)
I've had people reach the end of the slip road with their door mirror almost touching my vehicle before they've even looked to their right!
Then they get a surprise to see 40 tons of artic just a foot away ::)
Paul
The 2 sec rule looks good in a book but reality is completely different.
If you leave a 2 sec gap there will always be someone who will fill it. So you slow down to leave another 2 sec gap and someone fills it. You end up making no progress and, in effect, going backwards and causing a jam in the lane you are in.
Regarding truck drivers, I have a huge respect for them and their speed limitations so always try to avoid (safely) slowing them down as I imagine it takes some doing to get their momentum again. If it is unsafe for me to move into the next lane I will slow down to allow a truck to pull into the middle lane. It is, however, a sad reflection on those who overtake another truck with a ½mph difference in speed thus blocking 2 lanes for miles regardless of what is stacked up behind them.
Which is why if I'm on my limited speed of 52mph and another truck starts overtaking doing 53 I knock the cruise control back a few mph so they get past quicker ;)
Paul
Quote from: Sprintex on July 12, 2013, 09:46:14 AM
Which is why if I'm on my limited speed of 52mph and another truck starts overtaking doing 53 I knock the cruise control back a few mph so they get past quicker ;)
Paul
I wish you'd been on the M4 this morning.
Just past the M5 junction in the two lane section a truck pulled out in front of me to overtake another... it took until nearly the M49 junction for this to be completed!
Michael
People joining the motorway from a slip road and expecting you to jump out of the way is my pet hate but I find it happens all of the time now. In the UK they are the ones who should give priority to vehicles travelling in Lane 1. Motorway slip roads are still long enough for people to observe the traffic flow and merge without forcing somebody out of the lane or causing them to brake sharply.
Too often though, they float down the slip road getting up to speed and just expect there to be a gap waiting in the traffic at the end of the slip road.
Quote from: Vonzack on July 12, 2013, 10:29:37 AM
People joining the motorway from a slip road and expecting you to jump out of the way is my pet hate but I find it happens all of the time now. In the UK they are the ones who should give priority to vehicles travelling in Lane 1. Motorway slip roads are still long enough for people to observe the traffic flow and merge without forcing somebody out of the lane or causing them to brake sharply.
Too often though, they float down the slip road getting up to speed and just expect there to be a gap waiting in the traffic at the end of the slip road.
Agreed.
That dotted line between slip and main carriageway is in fact a 'Give Way' line
Quote from: FeelixTC on July 12, 2013, 11:27:54 AM
Quote from: Vonzack on July 12, 2013, 10:29:37 AM
People joining the motorway from a slip road and expecting you to jump out of the way is my pet hate but I find it happens all of the time now. In the UK they are the ones who should give priority to vehicles travelling in Lane 1. Motorway slip roads are still long enough for people to observe the traffic flow and merge without forcing somebody out of the lane or causing them to brake sharply.
Too often though, they float down the slip road getting up to speed and just expect there to be a gap waiting in the traffic at the end of the slip road.
Agreed.
That dotted line between slip and main carriageway is in fact a 'Give Way' line
Yep, I agree. It's often careless and dangerous driving. And pulling over to lane 2 just encourages to them to take even less care next time and undertake as soon as they're on the motorway. It's their responsibility to correctly match speed, give way, merge carefully and join the traffic in lane 1 safely, not force others to brake or change lanes.
H.
OMG you people are not doin' me blood pressure problem any good at all. I assume Lane 1 is the left, lane 2, 3, etc. working over to the right of the road?
All I can say is that when I pick up the car in Cambridge, just let between there and York be no go zone for witches hats! 8)
Havin' said that, I'm driving to Canberra tomorrow. :sleep:
Quote from: Bealman on July 12, 2013, 12:06:06 PM
I assume Lane 1 is the left, lane 2, 3, etc. working over to the right of the road?
You are quite correct in that assumption, George :thumbsup:
Shame some UK drivers don't seem to know it :worried:
Unless you are passing a slower vehicle, or instructed otherwise by roadsigns or markings,you should be in lane 1 at all times. End of....
why is that so difficult to comprehend??
Quote from: newportnobby on July 12, 2013, 01:07:15 PM
Quote from: Bealman on July 12, 2013, 12:06:06 PM
I assume Lane 1 is the left, lane 2, 3, etc. working over to the right of the road?
You are quite correct in that assumption, George :thumbsup:
Shame some UK drivers don't seem to know it :worried:
I always thought lane 2 was for drivers with no mirrors??? :P
Don't laugh. My mirror dropped right off when I was in rush hour traffic crossing Sydney Harbour bridge a few years back. No fun... could have stuck it back on with chewing gum (had teeth back then) but scrabbling around on the floor in traffic that was doing 70 odd km/hr was more dangerous than me just guessin'. Trick was to stay in the one lane. Got home late that night via Brisbane.... :D
Quote from: Bealman on July 12, 2013, 01:32:00 PM
Don't laugh. My mirror dropped right off when I was in rush hour traffic crossing Sydney Harbour bridge a few years back. No fun... could have stuck it back on with chewing gum (had teeth back then) but scrabbling around on the floor in traffic that was doing 70 odd km/hr was more dangerous than me just guessin'. Trick was to stay in the one lane. Got home late that night via Brisbane.... :D
If you'd been a
woma UK driver, you wouldn't have noticed until you checked your lipstick next morning
Quote from: FeelixTC on July 12, 2013, 01:37:49 PM
Quote from: Bealman on July 12, 2013, 01:32:00 PM
Don't laugh. My mirror dropped right off when I was in rush hour traffic crossing Sydney Harbour bridge a few years back. No fun... could have stuck it back on with chewing gum (had teeth back then) but scrabbling around on the floor in traffic that was doing 70 odd km/hr was more dangerous than me just guessin'. Trick was to stay in the one lane. Got home late that night via Brisbane.... :D
If you'd been a woma UK driver, you wouldn't have noticed until you checked your lipstick next morning
OUCH!!!
Getting more like Pistonheads every minute..... :laugh:
Quote from: FeelixTC on July 12, 2013, 01:37:49 PM
Quote from: Bealman on July 12, 2013, 01:32:00 PM
Don't laugh. My mirror dropped right off when I was in rush hour traffic crossing Sydney Harbour bridge a few years back. No fun... could have stuck it back on with chewing gum (had teeth back then) but scrabbling around on the floor in traffic that was doing 70 odd km/hr was more dangerous than me just guessin'. Trick was to stay in the one lane. Got home late that night via Brisbane.... :D
If you'd been a woma UK driver, you wouldn't have noticed until you checked your lipstick next morning
And if was being mischievous >:D, I could add that if you are a
ma UK driver, you wouldn't have noticed until you had checked the contents of your nasal passages the next morning but I won't :-X as it could spawn a whole load of
mal/
femal driver jibes :stop: :laugh:
Quote from: FeelixTC on July 12, 2013, 11:27:54 AM
That dotted line between slip and main carriageway is in fact a 'Give Way' line
I thought you were supposed to drive down the dotted line at great speed.. at least thats what my driving licence application said
"Tear along dotted lines"
Quote from: EtchedPixels on July 12, 2013, 02:37:21 PM
Quote from: FeelixTC on July 12, 2013, 11:27:54 AM
That dotted line between slip and main carriageway is in fact a 'Give Way' line
I thought you were supposed to drive down the dotted line at great speed.. at least thats what my driving licence application said
"Tear along dotted lines"
Bob Monkhouse must be spinning..........
:laughabovepost: :laughabovepost: Good one Alan!
Anyway, my real pet hate is the driver in lane 1 (left hand lane), who approaches the on slip and brakes to let a car in from the left - whilst going at 60mph +, causing the following line of cars to brake hard, despite following the 2 second rule. It is also to avoid those situations I get into lane 2. This is a favourite tactic by numpty drivers on the A38, between the M1 and Derby.
On my way home from Ross on Wye to Bridgwater, I came across the classic -
Travelling at a constant speed, lets say 70 (the limit) or something like that hehehehe! - I came across a situation on a section of 4 track motorway, a car doing 60 in lane 3 and a row of cars trying to pass it down lane 4 all being slowed down by the congestion!!!
The obvious happened and several cars then used the, totally empty lanes 1 and 2 to undertake the &%$*^%£(&^$( driver before returing across the motorway lane to the fast lane!
I just backed off, dropped in out of the way til it sorted out then passed them when it was safe and legal to do so!!
Seeing driving like this, I am delighted that thereis talk the Police are going to start dealing with it, the problem lies with the other question -
Do you ever see a copper when someone is driving like a 'beep beep beep'?
Simon
Do you ever see a copper when someone is driving like a 'beep beep beep'?
Simon
Only once...
A few years ago when driving on the local dual carriageway bypass in lane 1 at traffic speed, just below 60;- lane 2 was busy with the usual Jenson Button types hurtling along nose to tail at 'slightly' higher speeds . One of them cut in behind me just before an off slip and sat practically in my back seat flashing his lights all the way down the slip (he got even more annoyed as there was a lot of traffic coming from the right and I had to wait for a gap). The road off the roundabout was another dual carriageway but the left hand lane was a bus lane. Mr Plonker obviously thought he was going to be able to overtake so decided to cut into the bus lane and floored it flicking the v's to me out of the driver's window. Pity he hadn't noticed the car with the fancy blue lights and blue chevron vinyls on it just behind him... :claphappy:
:D :D i'll bet that put a big smile on your face.
Perfect!!!
Simon
QuoteDo you ever see a copper when someone is driving like a 'beep beep beep'?
I have once pity it was the copper himself :smiley-laughing:
It happened almost 40 years ago when our village bobby (remember them?) backed out of his drive onto the main road, ok it wasn't as busy then as it is now. But he failed to notice a car almost on his driveway entrance.... BANG..CRASH...WALLOP one very embarrassed Policeman and one none to please motorist.
We wild boys were so very happy :D
The same copper had a police saint motorcycle and we wild boys would race him to the next town in Norfolk where the cop shop was. As long as we let him win we could almost do what speed we liked :claphappy:
Quote from: Trev on July 15, 2013, 02:51:30 PM
:D :D i'll bet that put a big smile on your face.
:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:
(OK you get the idea!)