A new trend - driving un-necessarily in lane 3!

[SurreyGuy]

I've noticed lately that when I'm in lane 1 of a 3 lane carriageway and driving at the speed limit, there are many slower vehicles in lane 3 when there is nothing in lane 2. Of course, this means that I undertake them which is against the law, but I don't have any other option! - WHY DO THEY DO THAT??!

I can't believe we all learn to drive by the same set of rules and take the same test!

[osprey]

Because they are ignorant toss*rs who forgot everything they learnt the moment they passed their driving test.

[mushroom25]

a friend (in the fire service) told me that anyone arriving from the continent might conclude that British motorways have 4 lanes, and they are (L-R), hard shoulder 1, hard shoulder 2, lorry lane, car lane.

[almcd007]

We are assuming there is nothing else on the road - a rare thing - but legally you should move to the outside lane and move up behind them and hope they get out of the way and return to lane 1 or 2 - but not everyone does this. It also depends on what is ahead of them in lane two or lane one. If there is something slower moving in lane two then they dont have to do the speed limit in lane three to pass. You have caught them up by doing 70 in lane 1 or 2, but it's not always their fault that this situation occurs. Every situation is unique and we should all move over to the left when we can.

[SurreyGuy]

almcd007 - these people are in lane 3 with nothing directly inside them (in lane 2)!

If I'm already "on the left", then why should I need to cross an empty lane to get to lane 3 and then sit waiting for the car(s) in lane 3 to move over? If they don't move over, then i'm doing exactly what they are - sitting there for no good reason!

[Grunty]

I've noticed three reasons why people do this:

1. As osprey says

2. After they have overtaken, they stay there in case some clown passes them on the inside while they are changing lanes.

3. If there are two lorries close together in the inside lane, they are safe from the rearmost one pulling out without warning.

[xxyyabikes]

this motorway law was written many years ago,when there were not many vehicles on the roads and is perhaps nowadays a little outdated,the amount of taffic on the motorways today,sometimes does not allow every vehicle on the road to stay in the left hand lane unless overtaking as it says in the highway code,..perhaps it is time for a re-think into this and to legally allow vehicles in the left hand lane to legally overtake,as the americans do on freeways ..there are simply too many on the road now for this rule to realistically work

[rojash]

This is hardly a new trend. In fact by law, Volvos, BMWs and white Astra vans are required to drive in the overtaking lane at all times. (Volvo drivers are also obliged by law to avoid using their indicators).

[SurreyGuy]

Grunty - there was NO TRAFFIC in lane 2 when at least 5 cars were in lane 3.

Also (in response to your point number 2), if the drivers are in lane 3, then other drivers have no option but to undertake them! If other drivers joined them in lane 3 hoping they'd move over (they WON'T!), then they're just as bad!

[SurreyGuy]

rojash - I'm a NICE BMW driver! :o)

[pagey]

not illegal.

as far as I am concerned, if someone is driving inappropriately in an outer lane, I am not responsible for thier actions. I can drive 70 in the inside lane and worry about overtaking the next slower vehicle when I get to it.

Slowing other traffic by remaining in an overtaking lane causes congestion, accidents, stress and unnecessary delay to other road users. I don't understand how people can do something so malicious. How difficult is it to return to where you came from (lane1)?

[SurreyGuy]

here, here! (or is it hear, hear?!)