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The mkiv Supra Owners Club

Finally, someone convicted for hogging middle lane


jamesmark

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Education can only help the situation, giving points and fines to the odd driver out of thousands won't fix anything

 

Where these drivers are seen on camera perhaps a courteous letter warning them could help. I imagine like

most things the cost of doing anything is prohibitive. or they get a NIP if its do able with modern camera tech ?

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It's not the fault of the test as such but it's partly down to learner drivers not getting any instruction on how you drive

on a motorway, including how you get on it and how you get off it.

 

Also educating them that they're not safer sitting in the middle lane and are actually in a far more

unsafe position driving there when the nearside or first lane is clear.

 

There should be something in the new test, at least a simulated motorway part would be helpful. The issue

is that won't educate the thousands out there all ready that either don't know, don't care or actually think

they're safer sat in the middle lane

 

Just because its in the highway code means nothing, how many people have read that :)

 

Education is obviously key and you are right Dunk but as James mentioned they are taught how to drive on a dual carriageway and the same rules apply.

 

As mentioned the people who are doing it are well aware what they are doing and know exactly what the lanes are for, just choose to ignore it.

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Very small part to blame on the driving test regarding not using motorways, but passing the test is only one part in compliance with driving law. There is an onus on the driver to have sufficient current knowledge of the highway code and road laws to maintain a permit to use the public roads. (The old adage that ignorance is no defense in court plays well in this field).

The practical test may not have motorway lane discipline but I do think it can be a question as part of the theory test.

 

Basically its not much of a thing to remember though, "use lane 2 (or 3 or 4 or whatever) to overtake". If you're not overtaking then you should not be in any other lane than lane 1.

(Taking out of the equation "get in lane" directives of course).

 

Good to see it being policed more heavily and with more vigor.

 

Completely agree. one would have to be a complete tool to not be aware of what is essentially basic motorway driving discipline

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Might be different now but my lessons included keeping to the left hand lane in all situations. The only time it was acceptable for me to be in any other lane was when I needed to turn right, or if the left lane wasn't for the direction I was going in. Driving any way contrary to this would have lead to minor infractions during my test.

 

This alone would suggest that we are all taught to keep to the left in all situations, not just the motorway, some choose to do different as they no longer care once the test is done.

 

I genuinely have good lane discipline. I've never forgotten that aspect of my training and I've honestly never felt the need to drive contrary to it. If I want to overtake someone, I move to the right, when I can I move back in. It's really not difficult.

 

I've heard a few excuses of reasoning over the years:

 

Lorries use the left lane so it's all potholed and damaged, I don't want to have a blowout.

If I'm in the middle lane it makes it easier to move into the left or the right lane at a more convenient notice, for off ramps etc.

It's hard to micronap while changing lanes.

It's scary.

"Maybe if I don't move noone will see me"

Noone should be doing over 70 anyway (according to their speedo apparently).

Etc, etc, etc.

 

For what it's worth I've only personally heard of one minor bump during a lane transition. It was simply because the person didn't look before they changed lanes, yet another massive issue with todays driving.

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Might be different now but my lessons included keeping to the left hand lane in all situations. The only time it was acceptable for me to be in any other lane was when I needed to turn right, or if the left lane wasn't for the direction I was going in. Driving any way contrary to this would have lead to minor infractions during my test.

 

This alone would suggest that we are all taught to keep to the left in all situations, not just the motorway, some choose to do different as they no longer care once the test is done.

 

I genuinely have good lane discipline. I've never forgotten that aspect of my training and I've honestly never felt the need to drive contrary to it. If I want to overtake someone, I move to the right, when I can I move back in. It's really not difficult.

 

I've heard a few excuses of reasoning over the years:

 

Lorries use the left lane so it's all potholed and damaged, I don't want to have a blowout.

If I'm in the middle lane it makes it easier to move into the left or the right lane at a more convenient notice, for off ramps etc.

It's hard to micronap while changing lanes.

It's scary.

"Maybe if I don't move noone will see me"

Noone should be doing over 70 anyway (according to their speedo apparently).

Etc, etc, etc.

 

For what it's worth I've only personally heard of one minor bump during a lane transition. It was simply because the person didn't look before they changed lanes, yet another massive issue with todays driving.

 

I see a lot of people changing lanes and not giving others room or just plain not checking mirrors. At the end of the day, if you are causing people to change speed or direction, you are doing it wrong..!!

 

H.

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I see a lot of people changing lanes and not giving others room or just plain not checking mirrors. At the end of the day, if you are causing people to change speed or direction, you are doing it wrong..!!

 

H.

 

indeed. Although I must admit to having done that in a few semi-emergency situations :D

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The blaming of the driving test is just an excuse with zero substance. Yes you are not allowed or taught on the motorway but you are allowed and taught on dual carriageways. So if you are taught to overtake and if safe to do so merge back into the left lane, this rule applies to 3 or 4 laned motorways. The rule does not automatically become exempt due to the number of lanes.

 

 

 

Exactly this, the issue is not people driving in the middle/outside lanes and doing a speed where they are overtaking quite merrily. It is those that think it is acceptable to stay there and plod along and overtake only if they come across a vehicle that is going slower than them.......let's say some one who has sadly broke down fits the bill.

 

I too do a lot of Motorway miles and it gets even more dangerous when you get said person in middle lane and a lorry is traveling quicker than them. Lorry drivers are up there chuff so much they can smell their deodorant, but middle lane higher still refuses to budge.

 

I disagree, its a massive part to do with the driving test. I learned to drive and took my test in macclesfield which has 1 dual carriage way. I never went on it once and in the test they actively avoid it - I believe they still do.

If the test included entry and exit to a motorway and driving at 70 mph with lane discipline you would have to have lessons on a motorway too and become more comfy with changing lanes and speed.

 

And in the scenario where a truck is faster than a tit in the middle lane that still won't move despite being able to whisper in their ear 'move out of the way' then truck drivers should legally be allowed to move into the 3rd lane, pull along side the car in front and physically force it into the first lane :D

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I disagree, its a massive part to do with the driving test. I learned to drive and took my test in macclesfield which has 1 dual carriage way. I never went on it once and in the test they actively avoid it - I believe they still do.

If the test included entry and exit to a motorway and driving at 70 mph with lane discipline you would have to have lessons on a motorway too and become more comfy with changing lanes and speed.

 

I agree with Mark regarding this. Regardless of whether it's in the test or not, everyone knows. Do you honestly believe the majority of people driving on the motorway have no idea that the lanes other than the left most are for anything other than overtaking? There's enough media coverage, word of mouth and motorway sign age out there to cover every base that I can think of so there is no way that not being told on a lesson can be justifiable.

 

Also, did you never approach any roundabouts with more than one lane being the option for going straight through? Were you not always told to keep to the left if possible? It was, and I believe it still is, a requirement for any driving test with multiple lanes regardless of road type (A, B, Town, Motorway, etc).

 

Lessons do not teach discipline, they teach you how to pass the test.... IMO that's it. Once I got the piece of paper I started learning to drive.

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In regards to the test, I did pass plus after my test which is 3 hours of Motorway, 3 hours of country lanes and 3 hours of night/adverse weather.

 

I must say I learnt a lot about motorways and I believe it should be compulsory training to achieve your fall license. And there should be restrictions for being without

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I agree with Mark regarding this. Regardless of whether it's in the test or not, everyone knows. Do you honestly believe the majority of people driving on the motorway have no idea that the lanes other than the left most are for anything other than overtaking? There's enough media coverage, word of mouth and motorway sign age out there to cover every base that I can think of so there is no way that not being told on a lesson can be justifiable.

 

Also, did you never approach any roundabouts with more than one lane being the option for going straight through? Were you not always told to keep to the left if possible? It was, and I believe it still is, a requirement for any driving test with multiple lanes regardless of road type (A, B, Town, Motorway, etc).

 

Lessons do not teach discipline, they teach you how to pass the test.... IMO that's it. Once I got the piece of paper I started learning to drive.

 

Spot on, especially with regards to learning to drive after you have passed. :thumbs:

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In regards to the test, I did pass plus after my test which is 3 hours of Motorway, 3 hours of country lanes and 3 hours of night/adverse weather.

 

I must say I learnt a lot about motorways and I believe it should be compulsory training to achieve your fall license. And there should be restrictions for being without

 

I didn't do it, but I totally agree with you. Like most teenagers I was pretty headstrong and felt no need for it. I would be all for it becoming compulsory, even retrospectively. I would happily go through it if it meant that the dingbats on the road also had to :)

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I agree with Mark regarding this. Regardless of whether it's in the test or not, everyone knows. Do you honestly believe the majority of people driving on the motorway have no idea that the lanes other than the left most are for anything other than overtaking? There's enough media coverage, word of mouth and motorway sign age out there to cover every base that I can think of so there is no way that not being told on a lesson can be justifiable.

 

Also, did you never approach any roundabouts with more than one lane being the option for going straight through? Were you not always told to keep to the left if possible? It was, and I believe it still is, a requirement for any driving test with multiple lanes regardless of road type (A, B, Town, Motorway, etc).

 

Lessons do not teach discipline, they teach you how to pass the test.... IMO that's it. Once I got the piece of paper I started learning to drive.

 

Spot on :thumbs:

 

Get a copper to tailgate them and watch how quickly they jump back into the 1st lane (that's if they notice it is there in the first place).

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