fines for middle lane hogging

[joe-90]

Don't get hung up on speed guys.

When your car says you're doing 70 you could be doing 63 or 77 as the speedos only need to be accurate to within + or - 10% so theoretically you could both be serial slow coaches or serial speeders while thinking that your doing 70.

Driver awareness and ability and a well maintained vehicle are much more important than watching the speedo constantly to make sure your not exceeding a limit

You are given a licence on the condition that you follow the rules of the road. You shouldn't have a licence. You speed and hog the middle lane.

 

[kingandy2nd]

You are given a licence on the condition that you follow the rules of the road. You shouldn't have a licence. You speed and hog the middle lane.

Where do I hog the middle lane? That's you guys, I thought that was the whole point of this discussion?

I take a chance of a fine when I drive in excessive of the speed limit.

You take a chance of a fine when you drive unnecessarily in the middle lane when the left lane is free.

We both have a choice and we both (now) run the same risk of being penalised.

 

[joe-90]

So you go from 85 in the middle lane to 58 behind the trucks in the left lane? C'mon mate - at least be honest about it.

And I keep on asking you - WHAT DO YOU USE THE OUTSIDE LANE FOR?

 

[kingandy2nd]

Problem is sooey that not all middle lane hoggers drive at 70. Surely you must have encountered the odd OAP on the M62 or M57 driving at 50mph in that same middle lane you love so much when there's no other traffic on the road.

I've got no argument with that, but like I said at the beginning if some copper wants to fine me 100 squid for doing 70 in the middle lane he's going to have to take me to court. I think that the position of the authorities on this is untenable. They can't say on the one hand that 70mph is the speed limit and on the other hand fine people for blocking the road if they are doing 70 whatever lane they are in.

That's the trouble sooey, the laws are in place to stop the extreme examples. Ie the just doing 85 in the rain, or the OAP doing 50 in the middle lane on an empty road.

I very much doubt you'll be pulled for doing 70 in the middle lane if the left hand lane is empty. But at the same time there's very little likelihood of me getting pulled and fined for doing 75 on the motorway.

Both are illegal now, but it's all down to how it's enforced (or not enforced)

 

[sooey]

Andy: So if there are trucks and caravans in the left lane it is okay for me to stay in the middle lane at the speed limit? We are in agreement then eh? Do you ever use the outside lane?

Yeah joe. You move into lane 2 or 3 to overtake slower moving vehicles and then move back into lane 1 when it is clear and safe to do so.

Anyone who uses the motorways will realise that in reality this will mean 90% of drivers constantly changing lanes. If anyone seriously thinks that this won't result in more accidents they need their heads examing.

 

[joe-90]

...and more cars getting squashed between trucks.

 

[kingandy2nd]

So you go from 85 in the middle lane to 58 behind the trucks in the left lane? C'mon mate - at least be honest about it.

And I keep on asking you - WHAT DO YOU USE THE OUTSIDE LANE FOR?

Sorry joe, I'm missing what you're getting at there. I would use lanes 2 and 3 for overtaking.

Why would I change speed to 58? I don't follow?

Providing I'm travelling a speed in excess of the vehicles in the lane immediately to my left (I.e I was overtaking them) I would stay in the lane I was in. If the lane I was in had a slower moving vehicle ahead I would move into the lane to my right (if there was one and it was safe to do so) otherwise I would adjust my speed to maintain a safe gap to the car ahead I my lane).

That is not hogging a lane, that using it to overtake.

You could drive the whole M25 the middle lane at 70 without fear from prosecution if there was a constant stream of slower traffic in the left hand lane.

This new legislation is designed to fine people that sit in the middle lane when the left lane is empty and there's no reason for them to be in an over taking lane

 

[kingandy2nd]

...and more cars getting squashed between trucks.

I think I get where you're coming from.

This new law isn't designed so that you have to move back into the left hand lane after each vehicle you overtake. It's trying to stop people sitting in the middle or outside lane where there is a clear and obvious gap ahead in a lane to their left.

 

[sooey]

This new legislation is designed to fine people that sit in the middle lane when the left lane is empty and there's no reason for them to be in an over taking lane

And if they're doing 70 when the speed limit is 70 what reason is there for them to change lanes?

 

[kingandy2nd]

Anyone who uses the motorways will realise that in reality ....

many people exceed the 70mph speed limit (a limit that was set in the 60s I think) and do so perfectly safely in modern vehicles

 

[joe-90]

Anyone who uses the motorways will realise that in reality ....

many people exceed the 70mph speed limit (a limit that was set in the 60s I think) and do so perfectly safely in modern vehicles

When the law changes then you can do it. Until then - you will lose your licence.

 

[sooey]

Do you agree that this will result in more lane changing?
Do you agree that that will result in more accidents?

 

[kingandy2nd]

When the law changes then you can do it. Until then - you will lose your licence.

Same goes for hogging the middle lane now joe.

 

[kingandy2nd]

Do you agree that this will result in more lane changing?
Do you agree that that will result in more accidents?

Yes
No

 

[kingandy2nd]

The second one being no on the assumption that anyone driving on the motorway should have sufficient ability to manoeuvre between lanes safely.

If people stick to the middle lane because they lack the confidence/ability to move between the lanes safely then I would question why they are on the motorway in the first place.