Motorway middle lane hoggers.

[Haliotis]

National Highways are launching a campaign aimed at motorists who hog the middle lane of motorways, and say they have carried out a survey of 2500 drivers between the ages of 16 and 75.

Sixteen-year-olds are limited to 50cc scooters, which are not allowed on motorways, so their thinking doesn’t appear to have a very good start, does it?

I agree that some motorists do hog the middle lane, but I have found the worst are HGV drivers, where they will often be side-by-side in the left and middle lanes, with the one in the middle lane unable to overtake and the one in the left lane determined not to slow a little to let the other one in.  This activity can last for a mile or more and, where there are only two lanes, other normally faster traffic is held in a tail-back behind them.

It can also be difficult to determine when a motorist is hogging the middle lane, when there are spaced out HGVs in the left hand lane.  Whilst the space between two HGVs can seem plenty long enough for a car driver to drop in during  his/her overtaking in the centre lane, that driver must allow sufficient clearance to drop in without negating an HGVs braking distance, and is then left with no room to speed up to match other overtaking traffic before pulling out again.

So, if a car driver intends to pass a number of strung out HGVs, and is travelling at the 70mph maximum, he/she is not hogging the lane because following drivers cannot legally travel any faster.  Also, on 3+ lane motorways, ther is always the opportunity for drivers intending to break the speed limit to use those other lanes.

It is a different matter when the left hand lane is clear, totally or for an exceptionally long distance, when a driver should then move across to the left hand lane.

In the final analysis it all comes down to common sense, patience, and safety-first thinking - of which far too many motorists seem to be woefully lacking.

[Roy124]

Quiet agree.  Also, on the 2 Lane A1, I frequently have a choice,  move into lane 1 as you say and have an HGV slip streaming me as I use the Toyota 3 bar interval.   They seem to think I am holding them up when in fact they could only gain a few feet.

Or in lane 2, ACC set at HGV +3 and 3 bar interval,  I have a BMW tailgating  even though there is solid traffic ahead at HGV +4.

Can't they just look ahead?  They aren't going to get there any faster.

[FROSTYBALLS]

4 hours ago, Haliotis said:

National Highways are launching a campaign aimed at motorists who hog the middle lane of motorways, and say they have carried out a survey of 2500 drivers between the ages of 16 and 75.

Sixteen-year-olds are limited to 50cc scooters, which are not allowed on motorways, so their thinking doesn’t appear to have a very good start, does it?

The National Highways survey subject was middle lane hogging and tailgating. So the inclusion of drivers from the age of 16 was quite apt.

https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/national-highways-campaign-targets-lane-hoggers-and-tailgaters-video

[Bper]

It's true that lane discipline, particularly among HGV drivers, can be a significant issue on the roads. When HGVs travel side by side for extended periods, it can create frustration and congestion for other road users, especially on motorways and dual carriageways.

Hi Albert,As you mentioned, it's essential for all drivers to use common sense, patience, and prioritise safety. This includes being aware of surrounding traffic, maintaining appropriate following distances, and using lanes responsibly. While it's acceptable for drivers to use the middle lane for overtaking when necessary, they should always return to the left lane once they have completed their overtaking maneuver and it's safe to do so.

Improving education and awareness about lane discipline, as well as enforcing existing rules and regulations, can help promote safer and more efficient driving practices for all road users me thinks.🚘

 

[Cyker]

Noooo I want them to leave things as they are! I make so much progress!!

Just today on the way home, everyone in lane 4 with far too small seperationg gaps, with some slow drivers in lanes 2 and 3; Lane 1, completely empty, apart from me burning past everyone in the other lanes at CC'd 60mph!  

That must have saved me at least 10 minutes of travel time!  

It's like having my own personal lane sometimes!  

[Roy124]

2 hours ago, Bper said:

While it's acceptable for drivers to use the middle lane for overtaking when necessary, they should always return to the left lane once they have completed their overtaking maneuver and it's safe to do so.

As Cyker suggests the lemmings in lane 2 on a dual carriageway would rather drive one car length apart at a marginal speed increase over the HGV and Yaris drivers doing 60 in lane 1.

Assuming you could actually maintain 70 mph for two hours you would only save 20 minutes over 140 miles.

I think the vast majority are not very good at maths.

[Big_D]

I'm quite happy to sit in the inside lane between the HGVs. As Cyker says, I often end up passing cars who are travelling in the middle lane with the inside lane totally clear.

I don't see this as undertaking the car in the middle lane, as my lane is clear and I have been in it for a while.

[Roy124]

Many years ago, 2 Lane M5, I said many years ago, lane 1 was completely clear.   I could have done 80+ but was conscious someone would twig and pull out in front of me.  In those days many cars didn't have nearside mirrors. 

Now it happens i had just read an article in New Scientist or similar on driver reaction times.

In a stream of traffic you would get a succession of braking and accelerating with an accumulation of reaction delays.   Ultimately a car at the front would be braking hard while one further back would be at max acceleration trying to catch up.

There would be a succession brake- accelerate  until the inevitable.   It so happened I was passing the accident as it happened.  The result,  practically in slow  motion was dramatic.

There were clouds of dust and rust from the wheel arches, the bonnet popped, and the radiator burst.

The old man in the passenger seat got out and had wet himself.   Other than that no injuries.   

I drove on.