The "fast" lane...

penski · 24 Mar 2006 at 11:14

http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/11.htm

117: On a three-lane dual carriageway, you may use the middle lane or the right-hand lane to overtake but return to the middle and then the left-hand lane when it is safe.

*n

Nozzer · 24 Mar 2006 at 11:14

FincH said:
What?

Please tell me you're not serious.

Pigeon · 24 Mar 2006 at 11:18

I'm a cruiser, never really go above 70 and nearly only in the right hand lanes for overtaking...

that said if the traffic is doing 65 in the left to lanes and only a bit faster in the right hand I'll be in the right lane!

Freefaller · 24 Mar 2006 at 11:21

I pretty much stick at 80 now. So I'm usually in the left hand lane, or middle lane (if the left hand lane is congested). I'll pop into it to over take and that's about it. I'll stay in the overtaking lane as long as I need to to minimise me having to change lane. So to answer the AP I guess I'm not in a hurry. I'll let the white van men and sales reps blast past me, I have no ego issues about that.

On my bike I tend to spend more time in the overtaking lane as I'm often riding a bit quicker than in my car.

If there are people who absolutely refuse to pull over I *may* go on the inside... but to be honest I'd probably do that on my bike where overtaking/accelerating is much quicker ergo safer.

[TW]Fox · 24 Mar 2006 at 11:25

TripleT said:
Thing that bugs me is the asshats, how you pleasantly put it, who sit in the outside lane making ever.. so.. gradual.. progress.. past the cars in the middlelane. You can't undertake as there's cars there, so you've swearing to yourself at these people but then a car comes behind you and you just know that the person behind you is thinking exactly the same thing about you

Thing is though, what do you expect them to do? They are using the lane properly - the only thing they are doing wrong is not wanting to travel at the same speed as you.

What do you suggest somebody who comes up behind somebody doing 67mph is? Slow down to 67mph, because if you move into the outside lane gradually overtake at 70mph you might hold somebody up?

FincH · 24 Mar 2006 at 11:40

penski said:
http://www.middlelanemorons.com/

*n

You appear to have missed the sarcasm dear chum

I'm far from a middle lane moron. Always move over when the inside lane is clear after overtaking.

MJ · 24 Mar 2006 at 11:51

penski said:
Whatever happened to 'Stay left unless overtaking'?

To be honest, I rarely even venture into the middle lane...I'd rather get 55-60mpg by tucking in behind a lorry than get to my destination 5-10 minutes earlier.

*n

[Edit: if I'm caning it, that drops to 18-20mpg. Ouch.]

Exactly rite mate. you stay in the left whilst we all overtake. I am sure you love getting all of those stone chips from lorrys, hey next time make sure you stick behind a mobility scooter that way you can get more MPG. k Mate

*n :rolleyes:

penski · 24 Mar 2006 at 11:55

MJ said:
Exactly rite mate. you stay in the left whilst we all overtake. I am sure you love getting all of those stone chips from lorrys, hey next time make sure you stick behind a mobility scooter that way you can get more MPG. k Mate

*n

Christ on a bike, we have a comedian. OMGLOLZ et cetera...

*n

[DOD]Asprilla · 24 Mar 2006 at 11:56

I use the left lane as much as possible. My main difficulty has been getting to it and on numerous occasions I've been flashed by middle laners, presumably because I'm moving two lanes in a single manouver and they think I'm being dangerous.

Crazy.

Everyone should be forced to sit a motorway driving test before being allowed to use motorways, because the issue I feel is that most folks don't know how to use a motorway or understand the consequences of their actions.

karoshi · 24 Mar 2006 at 12:20

penski said:
Whatever happened to 'Stay left unless overtaking'?

have to agree with that for the most part..

for me it depends on a number of factors, mainly which car i'm in, how late i am and what mood i'm in..

if i'm in the commuter shed the the fast lane is something i stare wistfully at from two lanes away remebering what it's like to bale along with carefree abandon..

if i'm in the nice car then it's the lane i use to give me the most space and warning before meeting slower traffic

[DOD]Asprilla · 24 Mar 2006 at 12:26

karoshi said:
if i'm in the nice car then it's the lane i use to give me the most space and warning before meeting slower traffic

Space? In the RHL? I want to come and drive on some of your roads, because the M3, M4, M40, M1 and M25 where I drive give the impression that the far left is for overtaking or is somehow reserved for royalty and the right lane is the queue for free goldmines.

megakid · 24 Mar 2006 at 12:39

[TW]Fox said:
What do you suggest somebody who comes up behind somebody doing 67mph is? Slow down to 67mph, because if you move into the outside lane gradually overtake at 70mph you might hold somebody up?

maybe im the only one who thinks/has been taught that if you wish to overtake a slightly slower vehicle, speed up a little to allow better progress, even if you do exceed the speedlimit slightly. This is because, even on a motorway, an overtaking maneuver (ie any time you are not on the inside lane) is effectively a risky one which you must aim to finish as soon as possible.

There's no doubt in my mind that if someone on dual carridgeway sits at 58-60mph on the outside going past a lorry when they could quite clearly go faster to get past quicker (hence prevent holding up any drivers behind) is in the "wrong", maybe not in the law's eyes but in driving terms... I was taught this during my IAM lessons (so I'm suprised you dont think the same?).

ajgoodfellow · 24 Mar 2006 at 12:51

I fully agree with megakid

It is bad driving to 'hang' next to someone as you are overtaking them. By this I mean crawl past them, stay alongside or stay just behind.

This hinders progress. Either pull back so that people can go in front or go past the car. If you do not wish to go any faster, pull in behind or overtake and pull in infront.

Phantom · 24 Mar 2006 at 14:08

NickXX said:
Dude, all girls who drive 206CC's are fit

theres a guy at work who drives a 206cc. i think he's gay.

ajgoodfellow · 24 Mar 2006 at 15:32

Phantom said:
theres a guy at work who drives a 206cc. i think he's gay.

Must be. Guys don't drive 206CCs

Smiley Man · 24 Mar 2006 at 15:54

i pull out to get past what i want and pull back in again

if there is a slow moving vehicle ahead i will keep in the fast lane if nothing is approaching up my backside quick to get past it

if someone flashes me or gets close i get out of their way, if they want to drive like a tit and lose their licence who am i to stop them?

Simian · 24 Mar 2006 at 16:17

I'm a middle lane hogger (sorry!!

), mainly because the streach of M4 i travel every day (16-17 and back) is packed with lorrys going 56 and the odd granny stuck between them!...

I just can't be bothered to get back into the Inside lane just to have to overtake in the middle again!...

I only venture to the Outside when Overtaking a Lorry thats Overtaking a Lorry (its like two continental plates moving past each other!!), as my car doesn't have enough grunt to stay there!!! (Rover 214Si Bubble).

Dublove · 24 Mar 2006 at 17:13

All depends what the conditions are I suppose.

If it's dead quiet i'll be in the left lane & overtake as need be.
If it is busy (lorries etc) i'll be in the right lane and cruise past with the flow. If someone comes flying up behind be (& i'm doing 85-90) then i'll get out the way as soon as its safe to do so. If it's not safe for me yet then they will just have to slow the hell down quick.

Don't like the middle lane, you have 2x as much going on around you. I.e. people pulling out from the left but also pulling in from the right.

Also don't like traveling behind large lorries etc, when your windscreen is pistol whiped by a stone and it scares the crap outta you.

When young girls buy a brand new Ka does the main dealer turn the indicators off for them or do they just not bother to use them?

[DOD]Asprilla · 24 Mar 2006 at 17:27

Dublove said:
When young girls buy a brand new Ka does the main dealer turn the indicators off for them....

Ford are going up market and so they've obviously pinched this ideal from BMW.

TripleT · 24 Mar 2006 at 18:26

[TW]Fox said:
Thing is though, what do you expect them to do? They are using the lane properly - the only thing they are doing wrong is not wanting to travel at the same speed as you.

What do you suggest somebody who comes up behind somebody doing 67mph is? Slow down to 67mph, because if you move into the outside lane gradually overtake at 70mph you might hold somebody up?

These two pretty much covered it

maybe im the only one who thinks/has been taught that if you wish to overtake a slightly slower vehicle, speed up a little to allow better progress, even if you do exceed the speedlimit slightly. This is because, even on a motorway, an overtaking maneuver (ie any time you are not on the inside lane) is effectively a risky one which you must aim to finish as soon as possible.

I fully agree with megakid

It is bad driving to 'hang' next to someone as you are overtaking them. By this I mean crawl past them, stay alongside or stay just behind.

This hinders progress. Either pull back so that people can go in front or go past the car. If you do not wish to go any faster, pull in behind or overtake and pull in infront.

If you're going to overtake someone who is going ever.. so.. slightly.. slower than you then give the accelerator a little squeeze and make your manouver, simple.