Motorways

[TWR]

Middle lane, do you know it's purpose? comment's made by Compare.com

[mushroom25]

it belongs to the centre lane owner's club.

[Baldric]

We have Certificates of Ownership.
And the problem is?

[Baldric]

All I can find is this, which is over 3 years old (June 2013), so I'm sure it can't be the right 'Red Rag' piece.

http://www.gocompare.com/covered/2013/06/stuck-in-the-middle-road-hogs-face-100-pound-fine/

[1ozzy]

I would have thought the middle lane of a motorway is for those that wish to pootle along at a decent speed. The far left lane for slow vehicles and the far right lane for overtaking, then moving back into the middle lane.

That's what its purpose is down under. Keeps traffic flowing freely.

I could be wrong though ;-(

[1ozzy]

Ahh Balders, that link throws a bit more light on the subject.
One should always drive in the left lane unless overtaking.

Simples ;-)

[Maydup]

Refering to this TWR?

http://www.confused.com/on-the-road/driving-law/third-of-drivers-hog-the-middle-lane

[TWR]

That's it Maydup.

[EDDIE51]

When I was being taught to drive I was told there were 3 lanes. Slow lane for lorries and other slow vehicles, fast lane for 'normal' traffic and the overtaking lane , for overtaking only. When did it change?

[EDDIE51]

Yet another reason for including Motorway driving in the driving test !!
It is ludicrous that you can pass your driving test never having gone over 30 mph in a residential area and the second you get your pass go straight to a motorway and drive at 70 mph. Motorways are a different ball game!
I accept that many people never wish to drive on a motorway so there could be a 2 part test.You pass the first part as now but to use a motorway you should get a second test in high speed motorway driving.
I was lucky my instructor took me onto a section of 'A' road dual carriageway that had not been designated as a motorway and made me drive at 70 mph and taught me about safe overtaking etc. ( but he still told me that there were the slow,fast and overtaking lanes)

[ummmm]

Eddie...driving lessons include dual carriageways which are not that much different to motorways.

And yes, I do know the purpose of the middle lane.

[Baldric]

The Middle Lane is there so you can avoid the self-righteous in the Slow Lane.

[EDDIE51]

Yes, most driving instructors will give lessons on dual carriageways , but as far as I know it is not compulsory and it is not part of the driving test.

[ummmm]

I don't travel on the motorway often but the stretch of the M1 I usually use it would be completely pointless to go in the 'slow' lane.

[taichiperson]

We have been forced to overtake middle lane hoggers or MLH (where there was NO traffic in the inside lane as far as the eye could see), pulled back in to the inside lane, only for them to slowly pull just ahead in the middle lane. There's a stretch of the M74 on the way to Glasgow and Edinburgh that seems to attract MLH in both directions. I think they are mesmerised by the scenery and go into a trance.

[mikey4444]

You know, this isn't rocket science !

The middle lane is for traffic that wants to go faster than the slow-moving traffic in the left-hand lane. But if the motorway is empty, then you should always be in the left-hand lane.

If you pull out to overtake someone in the left-hand lane, then you should get back into the left-hand lane as soon as possible.

Simples !

[New Judge]

All lanes other than lane one on motorways (and indeed non-motorway dual carriageways) are for overtaking. Drivers should return to the nearside lane asap. (Highway Code paragraphs 137, 138 and 264).

[EDDIE51]

^^ Probably true in Wales mikey but here in the south east I defy you to find an empty inside lane.

[mikey4444]

Eddie....the M4 through South Wales can be very crowded and busy most of the day. But the M50, from Ross-on-Wye, to the M5 can be empty most of the time, and its my favourite motorway for that reason !

[ummmm]

And where I live moving into the left lane would be pointless.

[bhg481]

Free left-hand lanes on the M4 and M20 overnight but few takers.