Although This Annoys Me.

[TWR]

So called middle lane hoggers, how are they going to police this?

[Graham-W]

There are already cameras above most motorways that could monitor sections of road.
We already have police cars, both marked and unmarked.
Hopefully, once people start getting fined, people will begin to take notice and pull into the correct lane after overtaking.

[EDDIE51]

A few things about this i don't quite understand.
I seem to remember that years ago we were told that on a 3 lane motorway the inside lane was for lorries and other slow moving traffic , the centre lane for cars and 'normal' traffic and the outside lane was for overtaking only.
Perhaps my memory is wrong but I seem to remember it.
As to policing it I wondered that as well , last month I drove to central Scotland and back from Hertfordshire , nearly 1,000 miles , I saw 1 police car the entire time and that was in a McDonalds car park while the officers were inside eating.

[Graham-W]

Another thought. The publicity itself may make people aware that middle lane hogging is wrong.
Just like people have stopped using their mobile phones when driving.
Oh, maybe that's not such a good example.

[EDDIE51]

Another point , if you are in the centre lane and doing 70 mph the only way you can be overtaken is if the overtaker breaks the law.

[TWR]

The Motorway overhead Sign's at intervals should state clearly, Prosecution for the hoggers.

[Graham-W]

From the Highway Code.
264

You should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear. If you are overtaking a number of slower-moving vehicles, you should return to the left-hand lane as soon as you are safely past. Slow-moving or speed-restricted vehicles should always remain in the left-hand lane of the carriageway unless overtaking.

[barney4444]

What is the thinking behind staying in the centre lane when the inside one is quiet. I believe that it is because people do not feel competent enough to pull out and overtake and so just trundle along causing frustration and delays..

[tonyav]

I know what you mean TWR, I think that the motorway speed limit should be raised.

[doctordb]

There are enough cameras on motorways to pick up on offenders. They could be sent letters giving them the option of a fine or compulsory motorway lessons in order to bring them up to the same driving standard as the rest of us.

[shoota]

Could have done with you around the other day Graham......:

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Question1249087.html

[EDDIE51]

I always use the inside lane if the traffic is low , but on virtually every motorway there is a continuous line of lorries in the inside lane , it is not possible to use it safely in a car . Problems arise when a lorry pulls out of the inside lane to overtake another lorry , due to the low difference in speed this can block 2 lanes for several miles. How about a law restricting HGVs to the inside lane ?

[Svejk]

Yes Barney, pretty sure you're right there. If people are too wary to pull in and out maybe they shouldn't be on the motorway.

[barney4444]

That`s why the outside lane is there eddie..

[boxtops]

They tried that here for a while, Eddie, on the hill coming out of the docks towards the M20. We never heard the outcome of the trial, but we all thought it was a very good idea.

[barney4444]

As a coach driver I can assure you that large vehicles get far more aggro from cars than the other way round, numpty`s mun..

[DTCwordfan]

The AA chief man was totally evasive on R4 when asked about this by two of the R4 Morning interviewers who had lived in LA - why don't we adopt the US practice of any lane as it slows down speeding? - Their serious accident rate is far lower than ours.......... His performance was pathetic.

[TWR]

Morn all, Tony, you will have seen on your M6 Journey's Hold ups especially around your area, the volume of traffic, lo & behold some knob in the Transport system decides to ban Buses / Coaches from the over taking lane in turn causing more hold up's, some Pratt in Brussels getting late home for his tea decided to Limit HGVs to (50) in Europe ( 56) in the UK, before some pick up on the HGV issue, half on the pile ups o Motorways are caused by some private motorist that do not know how to use the motorways. ( Let's have it)

[EDDIE51]

Most of these problems would be eliminated if we had a 2 part driving test. The first part as now and a second part if drivers wanted to use motorways. There is no requirement at all now to have even seen a motorway to pass the test let alone have been taught how to drive on one. The current 'P' plate that some cars use could be compulsory for people who have only passed the 1st part of the test and are not allowed on motorways but can drive unaccompanied on other roads.
I was lucky my driving instructor took me on a stretch of dual carriageway that was like a motorway and taught me how to drive on that as well as the town driving , he insisted I did 70 mph and knew how to overtake on a dual carriageway. Modern instructors are just interested in getting you past the basic test as soon as possible and never go over 30 mph.

[shoota]

I love the theory behind this as middle lane hogging is a pet hate of mine.
My problem with camera enforcement is that the decision to stay in the middle lane whilst overtaking (say) two HGV's is completely subjective.
Is it OK to stay in the middle lane if the gap is 50 yards?
Suppose the gap is 55 yards? Would you get a ticket?
It also depends on 'closing speed'. You close a gap between lorries obviously more quickly at 70 mph than 60 mph.
The only way I can see camera enforcement working is that if you are in the middle lane whilst going through two or three cameras with nothing in the inside lane then you gat a ticket.
But I'm all for increased enforcement of this one.
I'd even like a camera in the front grille of my car.....

[tonyav]

TWR, on the M6 in my area they are in the process of making part of it into 4 lanes, getting rid of the hard shoulder. Interesting to see if it makes it more free flowing.