Middle Lane Hoggers To Face On-The-Spot Fines

[mushroom25]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22770064

sounds good - but on the basis that it will be incredibly difficult to enforce, isn't this just a case of distraction politics?

[vulcan42]

I would agree with TTT in one respect and that is we are taught to pass the driving test, which is woefully inadequate for today's road conditions. Having passed the test the new driver is legally allowed on the road without being tested for motorway and night driving or ever been on a skid pad. As for "independent thinkers" on the roads? the cemeteries are full of them.

[ToraToraTora]

I'm not blustering, my position hasn't changed. You seem to be the one getting angry over this. I can find no explanation as to why it's bad.

[anaxcrosswords]

Not sure it'll be difficult to enforce. The news items describing these new measures suggest that fines/points will be based on video camera evidence (probably monitor cameras mounted around motorways) and the the need for court procedure will be removed.
The degree to which it will be enforced is another matter. I'm pretty sure that fines will only be applied where it's very clear that the offence is being committed, so don't worry about sticking to the middle lane as you go past exit and entry slip roads. Even I do that and I'm very, very conscientious about lane discipline.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure the application of these rules will have teething troubles, but any measure to improve driving standards (as well as safety) is good in my book.

[jno]

if it's all to be done with cameras they could make themselves a million just by putting up unmarked speeed cameras tomorrow. My guess is about 50% of drivers speed.

[ludwig]

// My guess is about 50% of drivers speed. //

More like 90%. The only things going at less than 70 on the motorway are lorries with speed limiters fitted.

[ludwig]

I use the M1 every day at rush hours, and the only way to avoid hogging the middle lane is to keep skipping in and out of the 'slow' lane every few seconds. That's because it's virtually a procession of slow moving lorries. I reckon this constant lane hopping has to be more hazardous than simply sticking in the middle.

It's only really a problem if you're trundling along in there at 50mph, basically acting as a slow moving obstacle.

[ichkeria]

I've also never understood the fuss about "middle lane" hogging".
Dangerous driving of whatever sort should be targeted, but I'm afraid this does sound like gesture politics.
On the spot fines are all very well but are surely an encouragent to corrupt policing.

[jno]

I'm a middle lane hogger: juggernauts and Model Ts doing 50 in the left lane, white vans and German saloons doing 90 in the right, the rest of us clustered round the speed limit in the middle. Isn't that how it works?

[anaxcrosswords]

There’s a big difference between hogging the middle lane and avoiding a constant switching from lane to lane. This is just about sensible driving. If you’re in the middle lane and the inside lane is taken by slower traffic – even if it’s spaced 100 metres or so apart – it would be foolish to keep moving over then overtaking. Stay in the middle until it’s obvious you have a long stretch of clear inside lane available.
I feel confident this new measure will target those who are completely oblivious to that simple concept and just hog the middle lane regardless. When I see comments like “I don’t understand what the problem is” it just emphasises how oblivious these drivers are to the effect they have on others. They’re in their own little world, unaware of the potential havoc they can cause.
There have been several occasions when, after overtaking a middle lane moron, I’ve moved quite sharply to the inside lane – you’d be amazed at how many of then drivers then move over. It’s as if they’ve been woken up.

[ichkeria]

I appreciate what "middle lane" hogging is all about, and that it can be irritating and possibly (?) dangerous. It certainly annoys me. But I am always bemused by the reaction to it. It seems to be a "buzz term" to get people going.
My simple belief is that no matter the iniquities of it, a slow offender is less of a problem than a fast one :-)

[Bazile]

What's the definition of a ' middle lane hogger'

[ummmm]

To me it's someone who sits in the middle lane even when the inside lane is clear enough to move into.

[Bazile]

so what's the middle lane for ?

[ichkeria]

Undertaking people who hog the outside lane :-)

[ummmm]

Lol...

[Bazile]

If i'm driving at the speed limit in the middle lane - what's wrong with that ?

[anaxcrosswords]

The middle lane, like the outside lane, is for overtaking. That has always been the case.
At some point we began to assign labels - 'slow lane', 'fast lane' and (presumably) 'sitting in the middle like a plonker lane'. Only the last one is accurate; the other two don't actually exist.

[anaxcrosswords]

Speed has nothing to do with it. If the inside lane is clearly available at 70mph that's the one you should use.

[Zeuhl]

/If i'm driving at the speed limit in the middle lane - what's wrong with that ? /

As long as you watch out for me - overtaking you in Lane 1 LOL