[Closed] Middle lane drivers - an observation

Not all. I keep my seat almost as far back as it goes.

Because they are squinting, whilst trying to get your plate as you cut them up making a last minute dash for the slip road in your Audi TT

Not noticed that but my Gran recently told me she drove in the middle lane which I told her was wrong - she then said she doesn't drive on those roads any more anyway - she's 90 you know.... To be fair I don't think they had 3 lane roads when she learnt to drive and took her test.

Im a middle lane cruiser. I drive with my seat slammed back and just chill, maybe with a bit of Roots Manuva on the stereo. Might even have a cigarette aswell. Im in no rush and changing lanes is a real effort man.

Because they're idiots who don't know how to drive properly.

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My seat is so far back i'm in the boot.

We have no motorways in Cornwall. What's a middle lane?

Motorway drivers in Britain are utterly annoying no matter what lane they're in... or trying to get in.

We have no motorways in Cornwall. What's a middle lane?

Because they are squinting, whilst trying to get your plate as you cut them up making a last minute dash for the slip road in your Audi TT

;-P

Its so they can reach the Werther's Original off the dash...

UK drivers are utterly brilliant compared to Italians.

Try driving in/near Milan - you WILL almost die at least three times per hour.

I was driving recently in France, lane discipline there is strictly adhered to. Mind you they also tailgate like crazy. So maybe in balance middle lane drivers aren't that bad.

But yes you are right a lot of middle lane drivers seem to be trying to lick there windscreen!

Mind you they also tailgate like crazy.

As far as I can tell, tailgating in France means "I want to go faster than you". So you move over, and they do.

In the UK, it fairly often means "I don't know what a stopping distance are".

Try driving in/near Milan - you WILL almost die at least three times per hour.

My colleague gave me a lift to the hotel from the office.

10 minutes, 10 times I saw the big bright light coming for me, it was like being in a Bourne movie.

To cap it all, I walked the next evening and it was quicker!

Motorway drivers in Britain are utterly annoying no matter what lane they're in... or trying to get in.

Christ, you lot should try observing drivers down here in South Australia - they make the worst 90 yearold 40mph-everywhere driver seem alert, competent and conciencious...

I think the opposite extreme (Italy) is actually easier to deal with...

Lack of skill and awareness leading to lack of confidence?

Yeah that is probably the correct answer Molgrips - funny to read the other comments though 🙂

Every time I use a motorway I really am stunned by the stupidity of some drivers though...

[i]Motorway drivers in Britain are utterly annoying no matter what lane they're in... or trying to get in. [/i]

Same in all countries that have roads with more than 2 lanes, and restrict undertaking.

Lack of skill and awareness leading to lack of confidence?

I reckon that sitting too close to the steering wheel is a sure sign that someone's a shit driver. You just can't steer properly when you're that close!

I'm not stunned. A lot of people are really thick, and those people do drive. So doesn't surprise me at all when I meet them 🙂

I sit close to the wheel if it's hot and I don't want to sweat in to my shirt. My driving is AWESOME though

Cruise control at 65, seat reclined and feet up on the dash here. 🙂

I've seen the damage an airbag can do when it goes off if you sit too close to it, as well. Not nice.

Although it also bugs me when people are so laid back that they can't possibly exert proper leverage on the wheel. One of my very good mates is an example - he can't reach the top of the wheel without leaning forward but claims it's "more comfortable" for him that way...

Luckily, I'm absolutely perfect and so I'm entitled to make all these judgements... 😉

I principally undertake middle-lane drivers whenever possible. I consider it an educational measure.

What i don't get is that all these AWESOME drivers, suddenly get confused and distracted when they have to deal with someone cruising at near the speed limit in the middle lane. I drive in the middle lane a lot, and sometimes i overtake people in other lanes. It's really easy, those who find it a problem should be forced to take another test.

Every time I use a motorway I really am stunned by the stupidity of some drivers though...

Everytime I read one of your threads I'm stunned by the banality and arrogance of some of your posts ......

See what I did there 😛

UK drivers are utterly brilliant compared to Italians.

Try driving in/near Milan - you WILL almost die at least three times per hour.

I'm not so sure of that. Yes, agreed, they do seem dangerous in Italy and you WILL fear for your life, but I don't think they're BAD drivers as such: They can control a car, that's for sure, and they drive fast and loose. It's a skill IMO, just a skill they should ease up on now and again. I've ridden a motorbike round Milan, down to Bologne, then to Florece. It was brilliant, but you need to ride FLAT OUT everywhere!
You can't drive flat out all your life and not crash, basically. 🙂

I'd toatally agree with this though -

Christ, you lot should try observing drivers down here in South Australia - they make the worst 90 yearold 40mph-everywhere driver seem alert, competent and conciencious...

I think the opposite extreme (Italy) is actually easier to deal with...

I have driven in a fair few countries and Australia has BY FAR AND AWAY the worst drivers I've ever experienced. They simply CANNOT contol a car. They wander all over the place, can't keep a constant speed, take a corner properly and seemingly have no idea what to do with any of the controls of their vehicle basically.
I wasn't bothered because I was in a borrowed V8 Tuareg, on a British license they can't put points on, so I just tooled about like there was no tomorrow, picking off overtakes with ease.
I bought an Oz motorbike mag whilst I was there and the editorial was about just this: The guy had been on a bike relese in Germany and said he felt much safer there, basically, and they give a license to anyone with poor training, then try and stop accidents and such with silly low speed limits, double points over Christmas time and speed traps in remote locations.
I really was shocked at how bad they were.

wasn't there a scientific study that found if middle lane hoggers pulled over when they were supposed to they stopped being ****s?

Well, despite their V8 Holden UTEs, our little Hyundi Getz is a performance car when driver reactions and skill are taken into consideration.

I know that sound more than a little big-headed, so I'll clarify: That's imagining it being driven by my 80 year old gran, who has never had a license...

Shockingly appalling at everything they do when it comes to driving. The cops are as bad. As PP says - if they want to improve road safety, they should try teaching people to drive at some point before giving them a license. They're much less aggressive than UK drivers mind you, but I guess that stems from most of them being half asleep...

[i]I drive in the middle lane a lot, and sometimes i overtake people in other lanes. It's really easy...[/i]

Just about sums up the standard middle lane driver attitude. "It's easy. I don't have to change lanes or indicate or think or consider anyone else at all"

dont feed the troll 🙂

Sorry, but I have to sit with the seat all the way forward 'cause my arms are too short, and its the only way my feet touch the pedals.

I really don't see what the big deal is.

I'd much rather be a middle lane driver regularly passing trucks and slower vehicles, rather than some prick constantly cutting the motorway up with their pathological desire to get back into the inside lane, usually driving a white "1.9 diesel with the sports pack innit".

Another way to think of this is that middle lane drivers are considerate... considerate of the people they've just past, rather than idiots driving far too fast racing each other.

It's a road not a racetrack.

" i overtake people in other lanes"

That is a problem. We do not expect "undertaking" because it is prohibited, so "undertaking" is dangerous. I don't mind changing to the inside lane to pass centre lane hoggers but it is awkward to plan when it is busy in that lane.

I just don't understand how they feel safe trundling along in the centre lane - do they not notice juggernauts bearing down on them in their mirrors?

Another way to think of this is that middle lane drivers are considerate

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[i]I just don't understand how they feel safe trundling along in the centre lane - do they not notice juggernauts bearing down on them in their mirrors? [/i]

I overtook (in the correct lane!) a middle lane driver who'd been holding up miles of traffic by sitting there, completely oblivious to people flashing their lights, overtaking and cutting sharply back in, trucks hooting, people undertaking. Nothing fazed this driver, he was in his own little bubble at 55mph in the middle lane, just didn't have a clue.

I drive in the middle lane a lot, and sometimes i overtake people in other lanes.

So do I. However, I also do the same in the other two lanes as well. I'd recommend it.

Just about sums up the standard middle lane driver attitude. "It's easy. I don't have to change lanes or indicate or think or consider anyone else at all"

Tell me who else there is to consider, except for those going faster than about 70, who then only have to overtake. Why do you find it so hard? You might need a motorway lesson from your instructor.

That is a problem. We do not expect "undertaking" because it is prohibited, so "undertaking" is dangerous. I don't mind changing to the inside lane to pass centre lane hoggers but it is awkward to plan when it is busy in that lane.

Undertaking? How would i be 'undertaking' you unless you were going even slower in the overtaking lane?
And if it is busy in that lane it is usually busy in all lanes, at which point switching lanes often, can lead to traffic snarling up behind

I just don't understand how they feel safe trundling along in the centre lane - do they not notice juggernauts bearing down on them in their mirrors?

No, because the juggernauts are going slower than 70 and are usually in the inside lane

Cougar - Member

I drive in the middle lane a lot, and sometimes i overtake people in other lanes.

So do I. However, I also do the same in the other two lanes as well. I'd recommend it.

You overtake people when in the inside lane? Well, thanks for your recommendation, but it think that's quite dangerous, besides which, it is prohibited.

What Realman said. Unless you really are that thick.

Sticking in one lane makes it much safer to text & take the gherkis out of your maccy d.
Plus if you drive an auto you can do both at once!

Changing lanes is dangerous

Yeah if you fall asleep there's a 50/50 chance of swerving either right or left, so driving in the middle lane gives you the best chance of surviving.

What Realman said. Unless you really are that thick.

Not so thick that I don't have my own opinion, find it difficult to express in my own words, or find it necessary to just repeat the comment of a previous poster

ooOOoo - Member

Changing lanes is dangerous

You might just have hit the nail on the head

middle laners are scared of the big bad lorries in lane 1 and as for lane 3, well that's too fast!

😉

I genuinely heard someone say that on a phone in 😯

Ok, maybe your middle lane driver and mine are confused.

What i'm saying is, that when i'm doing 70+ in the middle lane i'm not going to pull back in all the time to overtake the next truck every 20 or so seconds. Seems to me staying there for a bit is a better idea than screwing it all over the 3 lanes.

Do people actually do 55mph on the motorway in the middle lane? Can't say i've seen much of it.

Yeah but everytime you do that, only 1 car can overtake you. If you pulled in, 2 cars could overtake you.

Come on, changing lanes is fun 😛

Observation: No one minds a middle-laner that does 80mph+

It's the ones doing 58mph that really grip people's shit.

buzz-lightyear - Member

I just don't understand how they feel safe trundling along in the centre lane - do they not notice juggernauts bearing down on them in their mirrors?

Clearly it is not just middle lane drivers who are afraid of the big bad lorries

Correct me if I'm wrong, but we're talking about people who stay in the middle land regardless of speed or traffic conditions. Not people who just use the middle lane.
[i]Do people actually do 55mph on the motorway in the middle lane? Can't say i've seen much of it.[/i]
Yes, I've seen plenty of it. And I will just ignore them and undertake. They don't even notice so there's no danger involved.

It's time we adopter the US approach -overtaking inside as well as outside. That'd wake the middle lane hogging Mr McGoo's up!

And yeah, entirely agree with Wozza, unless someone is right up my arse and the outside lane is blocked then there is no point pulling in if I'll have to pull out again a few seconds later.

I'd say I wouldn't bother pulling in if I'd be in for less than around 15-20 seconds.

Likewise if the road is totally empty behind me then I might not bother pulling in at all if there are cars ahead that I am gaining on.

It's the people approaching you from behind you should be considering. (as GrahamS says in the last line)
[****t]"But I'm doing 70 and that is the speed limit"[/****t]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but we're talking about people who stay in the middle land regardless of speed or traffic conditions. Not people who just use the middle lane.

There are very few of these.
If all three lanes were clear ahead and behind, middle laners would probably take the inside lane, but it wouldn't actually matter.

If there is a lot of traffic, then all lanes move at about the same speed, once again the choice of lane is irrelevant, in fact switching lanes tends to slow traffic down across all lanes.

If I'm doing 70 in the left hand lane and I come across someone doing 55 in the middle lane then passing them on the left is not an undertaking manouvre on my part as far as I'm concerned (assuming the left hand lane is clear a safe distance ahead of us both). They're contravening the highway code so they're doing it wrong not me. Simple as that isn't it?

You overtake people when in the inside lane? Well, thanks for your recommendation, but it think that's quite dangerous, besides which, it is prohibited.

If I'm in an empty first lane doing 70, and you're in the middle lane doing 55mph, then which is safer; passing on the left, or making four lane changes to get past you?

Passing on the left is pretty safe IME, most of the time the person you're passing is so oblivious to the world around them that they haven't even noticed you, and they're so glued to the lane that they aren't going anywhere. The only time it's ever an issue is when people do it intentionally.

Contrary to popular belief, it's not illegal. You might be 'driving without due care' if you're doing it aggressively, carving through traffic, but I don't do that.

Fortunately their cars are usually fitted with that big bright red warning light on the back to let everyone know that their mirrors are defective thus making good observation an impossibility, and that their accelerator is stuck in the same position regardless of gradient.

If all three lanes were clear ahead and behind, middle laners would probably take the inside lane, but it wouldn't actually matter.

Sadly, that's simply not true.

They're contravening the highway code so they're doing it wrong not me. Simple as that isn't it?

Moreover, you're allowed to pass slow-moving traffic on the left. Rule 268:[i] Do not overtake on the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake. In congested conditions, where adjacent lanes of traffic are moving at similar speeds, traffic in left-hand lanes may sometimes be moving faster than traffic to the right. In these conditions you may keep up with the traffic in your lane even if this means passing traffic in the lane to your right. Do not weave in and out of lanes to overtake.[/i]

[i]If all three lanes were clear ahead and behind, middle laners would probably take the inside lane[/i]

Then they aren't a middle laner. Middle laners don't change lanes, except when entering and exiting the motorway. Surely you've seen these people?
Outside lane of the slip road at 50, brake brake brake to "merge" onto the motorway... indicate, skip out to middle lane. Cruise.
They do exist you know!

If I'm in an empty first lane doing 70, and you're in the middle lane doing 55mph, then which is safer; passing on the left, or making four lane changes to get past you?

Making the lane changes.

Passing on the left is pretty safe IME, most of the time the person you're passing is so oblivious to the world around them that they haven't even noticed you, and they're so glued to the lane that they aren't going anywhere. The only time it's ever an issue is when people do it intentionally.

Contrary to popular belief, it's not illegal. You might be 'driving without due care' if you're doing it aggressively, carving through traffic, but I don't do that.

In general you are supposed to stay in the kerbside lane, unless overtaking. Seems to me undertaking may be more dangerous and problematic than middle lane 'hogging'

Tell me who else there is to consider, except for those going faster than about 70, who then only have to overtake. Why do you find it so hard? You might need a motorway lesson from your instructor.

Are you for real? 😯

DezB - Member
[i]If all three lanes were clear ahead and behind, middle laners would probably take the inside lane[/i]

Then they aren't a middle laner. Middle laners don't change lanes, except when entering and exiting the motorway. Surely you've seen these people?

No, I've never seen someone sit in the middle lane when there are no other cars around.

I'd say I wouldn't bother pulling in if I'd be in for less than around 15-20 seconds.

If you can be undertaken by a car doing the speed limit in that time, you're in the wrong lane.

To the ones using "I'm doing 70 so you're speeding" as an excuse, it's probably worth bearing in mind that it's not your job to maintain the motorway speed like some middle lane vigilante. Two wrongs don't make a right. Also, there's every chance that your speedo is underreading, so whilst you're being all smug about doing 70 you're probably doing nearer 60 and wondering why everyone behind you is getting frustrated. For instance, at 70mph, my speedo reads around 77mph.

There are very few of these.
If all three lanes were clear ahead and behind, middle laners would probably take the inside lane, but it wouldn't actually matter.

Maybe they just all decide to drive when I'm about then?

Their behaviour is particularly curious when three lanes go down to two. They'll sit in the middle lane when the only traffic in sight is a faster moving car a few hundred yards behind (and thus in the slow lane) gradually catching up with them and then when the overtaking lane merges into the middle lane they continue on usually for a good few hundred yards in the now overtaking lane. Passing on the inside seems to usually trigger a similar delayed reaction to change to the correct lane.

I'm sure it's almost all down to lack of observational skills and thus fear of blindspots when changing lane, plus an irrational fear of being boxed in the slow lane and squashed by a lorry. By sitting closer to the front of the car they feel they can see further forwards but this plan is usually foiled by an inability to focus on anything more than two car lengths ahead...

PeterPoddy - Member
[i]Tell me who else there is to consider, except for those going faster than about 70, who then only have to overtake. Why do you find it so hard? You might need a motorway lesson from your instructor.[/i]
Are you for real?

Yes, I am. But until now, I hadn't realised that changing lane to overtake was so difficult for some people. Especially if they are such 'good' drivers that they can go so fast in their cars.

i play with the middle lane hoggers at are doing 65ish mph

just before the middle-lane-hogger overtakes a lorry overtake the hogger in the outside lane
pull back into the middle lane, now in front of the middle-lane-hogger
take foot off accelerator and slow down to match the speed of the lorry, typically slower than the hogger
wait for a reaction from the hogger
it's amazing how many hogger slow down! though i had a hogger overtake today!
yes, i know, it's annoying of me

No, I've never seen someone sit in the middle lane when there are no other cars around.

Seen this while driving at night, on an empty motorway, some numpty sat in the middle lane on a deserted motorway?

Cougar - Member

For instance, at 70mph, my speedo reads around 77mph.

So far you've recommended undertaking on the motorway and told us that you drive with a defective speedo. Please do excuse me if I don't take your advice on safe driving practice too seriously

Making the lane changes.

If the first lane is empty, the middle lane has a myopic twit in a Micra, and the third lane is full of sales reps doing 100mph bumper-to-bumper? I think we'll have to agree to differ there then.

You mean you accidentally undertake?

You misunderstand; I mean, middle-laners who intentionally change into the left lane when they see they're being undertaken.

In general you are supposed to stay in the kerbside lane, unless overtaking. Seems to me undertaking may be more dangerous and problematic than middle lane 'hogging'

So it's ok to sit in the middle lane as there are other people doing arguably 'worse' things?

No, I've never seen someone sit in the middle lane when there are no other cars around.

Then you can't do much motorway driving, or live somewhere I don't (like the moon maybe). I see it on a daily basis.

told us that you drive with a defective speedo.

I hate to break it to you, but everyone drives with a "defective" speedo, outside of the emergency services. It's illegal to have an under-reading speedo and difficult / expensive to manufacture an accurate one, so most consumer speedometers underread by about 10%. Test yours with a GPS sometime.

Dougal, the probably think 'this guy is a bit of a c0ck, likely to do something else dangerous soon. Not much to be gained in trying to second guess him, better just take it easy and get there 5 minutes later, chill'

Cougar - Member
Test yours with a GPS sometime

I have, it's fine, on both my current cars and both my previous ones

If most speedos, under read by about 10% it seems like a pretty easy fix.

Seen this while driving at night, on an empty motorway, some numpty sat in the middle lane on a deserted motorway?

I had this once, joined a motorway with a couple of other cars on it. First lane clear to the horizon, one car in the middle lane and a couple overtaking in the third. I moved into the middle lane and blipped my headlights to alert them to my presence, and they changed into the third lane.

To this day I've not worked that one out. I can only think they were tourists.

If most speedos, under read by about 10% it seems like a pretty easy fix.

It's not broken, it's by design. If you have a perfectly accurate speedo, then the driver comes along and sticks a few extra PSI in his tyres, hey presto, illegal speedo.

Passing on the left is pretty safe IME, most of the time the person you're passing is so oblivious to the world around them that they haven't even noticed you,

It frigging well is NOT safe, because people are not expecting you to do it! If MLHs are oblivious to the world around them then chances are they won't see you flying up their inside when they finally do decide to pull in.

DO NOT undertake, kids! It makes for bedlam on the roads. Drive on i294 around Chicago for an example of this!

That's just pure unjustified speculation, if the over / under reporting of all speedos was due to tyre pressure (which is entirely plausible) then there would not be a uniform 10% under reporting in all speedos, would there? Unless we all have our tyres a the same pressure.

nah, the dangerous thing is when i go up the inside lane faster than those in the outside lane!
the middle-lane-hoggers pi55 me off
usually in a rover /ford