Middle lane again (1 Viewer)

Feb 16, 2013
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How about this one, going down m6, the hard shoulder opens, hardly anyone goes into it , are they all guilty of being in middle lane, also the odd ones that do go in immediately undertake you, are they breaking the law?
 
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60 years, go on then tell us

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old-mo

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are u for real? how long u been driving

"Yes".............. there are many motorways that open up the hard shoulder to traffic at peak times... usually light on a gantry telling people so..

And under taking is illegal... :Smile:
 

DuxDeluxe

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Ah, but very frequently, the opening of the hard shoulder lane is due to traffic density (that was the idea of them) and is normally accompanied by "traffic congestion, stay in lane".

If you are in several lanes of traffic, all moving at approximately the same speed then any "undertaking" is permitted - check highway code section 6 para 268 which deals specifically with this.

Common sense prevails when changing lanes in these circumstances, if it is safe to do so then the hard shoulder lane should be used by those able to move over into it.

So, yes Shuggy - he is for real; as a professional HGV driver you would be aware of this and so I hope you were being ironic:winky:
 
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tonka

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I always use the hard shoulder part when open in our area. The surface is new and a better ride..:thumb:

I don't let it stress me out anymore.
Have to admit I used to be a young dash everywhere van driver, then an "up your a**" trucker, 3rd lane company car speeder !

But now i'm a chill out Grandad who aint in a rush....
Unless I am going to miss my ferry, then it all comes rushing back..:Doh:
:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

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4matt

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I'm a newbie in my second year.
We did the M1 the other day and the section between Milton keynes and M25 turn has now been completed with hard shoulder use. Some sections are always open like those round the service area at Toddington and a couple of junctions. I was quick to use these where i could but some drivers made a point of staying out in what was lane one and gave us some hand gestures as if you were in the wrong.:cry: Trouble with most drivers they don't look far enough ahead to see that all important gantry sign or that big queue of traffic in the centre lane and that free lane one, I can do 70 without anyone infront and pass all those middle lane bozo's without over taking as long I do not cut back out in in front of them, I am just driving at a faster speed that suites my lane.:ROFLMAO:
 

WAG2CRU

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There is no specific offence for passing on the near side (undertaking) however one would be open to prosecution for driving without due care if a Police officer considered that your manoeuvre was inappropriate.
 

sdc77

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I am starting to find these middle lane threads all seem to go down the same route of experienced Hgv drivers v the rest of the world. Although I agree that the experience and extra training involved should make Hgv drivers better some of the worst accidents on our motorways have involved hgvs. I have a couple of points;

There is no offence of middle lane hogging - it appears the existing legislation of careless or inconsiderate driving will be used. So... Not driving on the left when there's a free left lane and other traffic around will be inconsiderate at best.

Some of the questions that have been asked regarding driving are a worry and underline the need for some sort of mandatory motorway driving training for all drivers after they gain their licences.

Dealers to perhaps offer driving familiarisation courses to buyers of larger (or all) motorhome. (dealers selling high performance cars offers courses to purchasers). Drivers need to understand the capabilities and limits of their vehicle (and themselves)


I really believe there needs to be legislation to keep hgvs in lane 1 on large stretches of our motorways.. Esp the two lane stretches. That could be enforced with similar penalties. I think that it works well on the continent.

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Trikimiki

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I am starting to find these middle lane threads all seem to go down the same route of experienced Hgv drivers v the rest of the world. Although I agree that the experience and extra training involved should make Hgv drivers better some of the worst accidents on our motorways have involved hgvs. I have a couple of points;

There is no offence of middle lane hogging - it appears the existing legislation of careless or inconsiderate driving will be used. So... Not driving on the left when there's a free left lane and other traffic around will be inconsiderate at best.

Some of the questions that have been asked regarding driving are a worry and underline the need for some sort of mandatory motorway driving training for all drivers after they gain their licences.

Dealers to perhaps offer driving familiarisation courses to buyers of larger (or all) motorhome. (dealers selling high performance cars offers courses to purchasers). Drivers need to understand the capabilities and limits of their vehicle (and themselves)


I really believe there needs to be legislation to keep hgvs in lane 1 on large stretches of our motorways.. Esp the two lane stretches. That could be enforced with similar penalties. I think that it works well on the continent.

I have held my HGV and PCV for over 39 years. There is no argument surely. Both classes of vehicle are governed HGV to 56 and PCV to 100KmH so all you need to do is go at these speeds and you will fit nicely into their domain and save fuel by being towed along in their slipstream. The only reason a Truck or Coach pulls into the second lane is to pass a dipstick doing less than 55 on a motorway, or else they never get their work done. As for driving anyone not confident driving a MH sure there are lots of experienced guys living near them that would give them an hour or two to help get confidence levels up. After all we want to make motorhoming fun, even getting there.
Then again I am HERE not THERE, hence my wee quote.
 
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Mar 29, 2011
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I have learnt to accept that sometimes a fully loaded HGV will be doing 54 and is overtaken by a " grand prix" HGV at 56.9 and I understand in fact sometimes I let them out so they do not lose their momentum, not as annoying as a middle lane hogger
 

TheBig1

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I feel that the tone of slagging off the driving abilities of other members is sailing very close to breaching the rules of this forum. Nobody's perfect and that goes for truck drivers who think themselves the oracle of all things driving as much as the newer members of the motorhome fraternity. A lot comes down to experience with various vehicles. problem is though that some see themselves as a better class of driver to others.

continually criticising others that ask questions about driving their new vans is going to make people reluctant to ask in the future. This community has always supported new members and treated no question as being ridiculed. Long may that continue, as a bit of good friendly advice makes all the difference in most cases and could save an accident or injury.
 

Jaws

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And under taking is illegal... :Smile:

You aint gonna believe it Mo, but since the amendments to the road traffic act ( 2002 or 2004, can never remember which ) that is no longer true ! How scary is THAT !!

If anyone is interested I can get chapter and verse off my legal eagle man who specialises in road traffic law and works for us on BIRD
 

ShiftZZ

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look guys some guy asked a question on here about middle lane driving ill make it simple .we drive on the left so on the motorway keep in the near side lane wen driving only wen u over take. I am sure use all do that :winky::roflmto:but some of the questions on here about driving wen u drive a car a motorhome a truck or ne thing else which goes on the road its the same principal drive safe enjoy but Oh Please! stop [HI]asking stupid question pls[/HI]:thumb:
Rule ONE.

well if u been driving 60 yrs and uve got to ask that question omg mate :Doh:
Rule ONE.

too many sunday drivers on here its nonsence

What is it with you?
Someone asked a sensible question and you decide to have a pop. Why?

I also wish you would try and type in English not some abbreviated txt nonsense, and yes we all know that truckers are the knights of the roads but they also are not immune to the odd accident or two.

welsh guards lol:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

Have you considered a reply about your previous posting about the Welsh Guards?
 

ShiftZZ

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shiftz your awful and the welsh guards well :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

You may find an unused key on your phone or computer it has the following printed on it. Caps Lock.

By the way its [HI]S[/HI]hift[HI]ZZ[/HI] and [HI]W[/HI]elsh, so you dont have a thought/comment on the Welsh guards?
 

Wildman

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too many sunday drivers on here its nonsence
there is no requirement for motorhome owners to drive on any other day of the week, after all they may run foul of some truckers if they drive on ther days.

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OP
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well if u been driving 60 yrs and uve got to ask that question omg mate :Doh:

Doesn't worry me what he says, I just asked a light hearted question, and in fact I don't think anyone knows the full answer to it, driving 60 years doesn't make any odds they have only opened hard shoulders this last couple of years and I think they are downright dangerous, what if someone breaks down where are they going to go, and are you going to run into them, also a lot of the carriage way only goes for less than a mile then you have suddenly got to get out of them again. But the fact remains when they are open is lane one the middle lane or not!!!!! Is it compulsory to get into the hard shoulder.
 
OP
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well if u been driving 60 yrs and uve got to ask that question omg mate :Doh:

FYI mate
I have driven tractors, cars, trucks, tankers ,fork lifts ,diggers, vans,trailers, mostly probably before you were on a tricycle, but evenso it's got nothing to do with new motorway rules about things that have only just started.:winky:
 

JJ

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In earlier days I would have said that Funsters were having a bit of a squabble on this thread but...

... recently I have been active on a footy site... if you want to see forum members having a real squabble that is the place!!! :ROFLMAO:

Not my fault... someone "dissed" Edin Dezko... I wasn't going to let that pass... :winky:

JJ :Cool:

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sdc77

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... Once again.. There is nothing new here.. Its just going to be enforced a bit in future.

Regarding the answer to the question (I think)
If the hard shoulder is open then you will ALLWAYS be in a speed limits zone with the speed limit shown on gantries (in the correct font). These zones are opened up at peak times and have proved to be very successful as traffic trends to all be moving at a similar speed. If someone comes up behind you as you are incorrectly travelling in.. Say.. Lane 2 and he then goes to lane 1 to pass you then he will be undertaking you. (you may have been driving inconsiderately driving in lane 2 to start with though)
If on the other hand if traffic in lane 1 is travelling faster generally than lane 2 then it's normally accepted that is not 'overtaking'.

Hope this makes sense. :thumb:
 

dna

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In my advanced driving lessons it was pointed out that the "rules" are keep left unless over taking. So if someone passes you on your near side then you (I) should consider why that situation arose - were you(I) not in the correct lane?
Of course sometimes it could be that the person in the left lane is not keeping a safe distance behind the car in front and will then pull out into your safety gap.

On the actively managed sections of motorway where the hard shoulder can be used there are regular emergency refuges for breakdowns and lots of cameras monitoring the hard shoulder. If a breakdown blocks the lane then the signs are switched to stop running on that section.

In my experience drivers take the easy option both on these motorways and with part time bus lanes - if they never use them then they cant be caught out!
 

DuxDeluxe

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too many sunday drivers on here its nonsence

Shuggy, why are you being so offensive? Most of us drive a lot in various types of vehicles and although not a superior knight of the road as you clearly are, we are not idiot drivers.

Have a think for a moment....... Why are motorhome drivers regarded as low risk by insurance companies? Then deride our driving.....

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