Why do car owners drive in the middle lane?

markmoto

I have notice for sometime on motorway, car owners keep driving in the middle lane. Is there any reason for that?

Del2005

Non enforcement of the keep left law.

I know someone who was advising another who wasn't confident on a motorway to just drive in the middle lane on a 3 motorway. I asked why they drove in the middle lane and the reason was that you risk getting cut up by people exiting from the middle lane if you drive in the left lane. When I said that if everyone drove in the correct lane you wouldn't risk getting cut up it was like a light bulb going off in their head, only a few million more to convert.

markmoto

Some car owners when they see HGV lorry behind move over to middle lane.
Is there some new regulations?

Cal4567

Tis a great shame motorway driving is not part of the Driving Test. I think also many just want to drive in a straight line whereas on the left you do have many drivers not going anywhere need the motorway speed. I reckon most people do think the middle lane is the correct lane.

Kewreeuss

Sheep.
Brains switched off.

Kewreeuss

Cal4567 wrote: »

Tis a great shame motorway driving is not part of the Driving Test. I think also many just want to drive in a straight line whereas on the left you do have many drivers not going anywhere need the motorway speed. I reckon most people do think the middle lane is the correct lane.

The same people think the outside lane is a normal lane too.

If you are on the inner lane on a road like the M50 you will constantly encounter traffic merging on, then you have to accommodate that by switching to middle lane or adjusting speed. After a while of this it becomes tedious and sometimes dangerous so it's easier just to drive in the middle lane.

Don’t encourage them. I love having the left hand express lane on the M/N7.

Princess Calla

[Deleted User] wrote: »

If you are on the inner lane on a road like the M50 you will constantly encounter traffic merging on, then you have to accommodate that by switching to middle lane or adjusting speed. After a while of this it becomes tedious and sometimes dangerous so it's easier just to drive in the middle lane.

This!!!

If the on/off slip roads (like the M50) are close together you will be constantly adjusting your speed or else jumping in and out of lanes.

Personally I think it's safer to cruise along in the middle lane, so that's where you'll find me.

However there is a place in hell for drivers in the middle lane ticking along well below the speed limit when the road is empty infront of them.

markmoto

Deleted User wrote: »

If you are on the inner lane on a road like the M50 you will constantly encounter traffic merging on, then you have to accommodate that by switching to middle lane or adjusting speed. After a while of this it becomes tedious and sometimes dangerous so it's easier just to drive in the middle lane.

I just checked RSA website and it says "Build up speed on the acceleration lane before merging with motorway traffic"
to math speed of motorway flow.

Perhaps there is another issue car drivers not accelerating enough to merge?

markmoto

markmoto wrote: »

I just checked RSA website and it says "Build up speed on the acceleration lane before merging with motorway traffic"
to math speed of motorway flow.

Perhaps there is another issue car drivers not accelerating enough to merge?

Sometimes there's no space, then the car in the inner lane should accommodate the merging car so it can get on safely. It's not a written rule I think, but just the right thing to do.

Manic Moran

Some more arguments. I don't know how applicable they are to Ireland but as you drive more and go around the world, things to keep in mind.

Smoother ride. HGVs destroy roads much faster than cars, and they are usually found in the slow lane, that lane often is more broken/ rough. Indeed, I have seen many roads where the repeated wheels of trucks have created gutters in the road, creating a phenomenon called tramlining, where your cars wheels start to steer according to the road, not you.

More reaction time. When an animal (or idiot, both happen) decides to run across the motorway, you get an extra lane's worth of time to identify and dodge. Particularly for motorways in rural/wooded areas.

Options and maneuver space. If I'm in one of the side lanes, should something happen which requires the taking of evasive action, my options are cut by half. You should be driving defensively, always asking "what if?". What if two cars ahead merge into each other? What if the cars behind are too close to you to stop before rear ending you? That sort of thing. I've seen enough motorway incidents just in front to be wary.

I realise that officially its the "wrong" answer, but as long as I remember that the default must be to not present an obstacle to faster vehicles overtaking, my lame of preference from experience is the middle one.

markmoto

Manic Moran wrote: »

Smoother ride. HGVs destroy roads much faster than cars, and they are usually found in the slow lane, that lane often is more broken/ rough. Indeed, I have seen many roads where the repeated wheels of trucks have created gutters in the road, creating a phenomenon called tramlining, where your cars wheels start to steer according to the road, not you.

Tramlining usually occur during hot weather season and should be look after by local road maintenance.

According to New independent research conducted by the Freight Transport Association has shown that HGVs pay enough tax alone to cover almost the whole spending on road maintenance.

So if someone budgeting money elsewhere we cant blame HGV for that but for Ireland with mild weather, Tramlining / bad slow lane conditions is irrelevant.

Kewreeuss

I can frequently go faster in the inside line outbound from Liffey valley junction to Adamstown because all the fearful hesitant people who have forgotten how they are supposed to drive are all crawling along in the middle lane. The limit is 80 by the way
If I come off the M50 from north, people clog the outside line, tootling along and they never move in until they pass Woodies. Do not ask me why Woodies, but there you are.
I think Irish drivers are too bloody polite. If they were zombie-ing along in the outside lane in France Germany or Italy they’d be lifted out of it by the horn or flashing lights. They’d soon learn the lesson and that’s what we should be doing here.
It is probably take about six months and we’d all know the new regime:D
People are doing to many other things in their car instead of paying attention to their driving.

plus you can’t be hesitant when entering a motorway or major road. You have to be going slightly faster to merge safely.

Odyssey 2005

OP. How do you know that they own the cars ?

Guy:Incognito

[Deleted User] wrote: »

If you are on the inner lane on a road like the M50 you will constantly encounter traffic merging on, then you have to accommodate that by switching to middle lane or adjusting speed. After a while of this it becomes tedious and sometimes dangerous so it's easier just to drive in the middle lane.

You don't have to move anywhere, just drive with a proper gap between you and the car in front and people can merge.

The problem with the M50 is people all want to exit as soon as the hatch marks end and the people merging on all insist on doing the same. All the while both sets are in lines of traffic with less than a cars length between them . Then both sets start slowing and the whole lane is then dropped to 60 or 70 . This country is full of idiots that don't know how to drive.

Just this morning I was coming down the slip at tallaght northbound, I'm in the left slip that merges to the right one and then continues as the aux lane all the way to ballymount about 2km down the road. Of course some eejit decides that right where the hatch marks end and where the 2 slip lanes merge is the point he should exit at 70 to go to ballymount, despite a lovely big long lane ahead he could have exited in to at any other point.

Darc19

34 years ago I was stopped on the M6 at 2am driving in the middle lane (took ferry) and was given a pleasant chat and a £30 fine.

I never sat in the middle lane again when lane one was clear

athlone573

Honestly I don't mind as long as they stick to the speed limit, it annoys me if I'm in the inside lane at 95 and I have to switch lanes 4 times to get round someone driving at 70,usually an aul lad with a peak cap or a woman driver.

Panjandrums

athlone573 wrote: »

Honestly I don't mind as long as they stick to the speed limit, it annoys me if I'm in the inside lane at 95 and I have to switch lanes 4 times to get round someone driving at 70,usually an aul lad with a peak cap or a woman driver.

And then the other middle lane drivers are thinking how "dangerous" your driving is.

Guy:Incognito

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Sometimes there's no space, then the car in the inner lane should accommodate the merging car so it can get on safely. It's not a written rule I think, but just the right thing to do.

There can only be no space of people are driving too close to the car in front...........

Guy:Incognito

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

There can only be no space of people are driving too close to the car in front...........

Ah come on, do you actually drive on the M50 or any motorway? Its common practice to adjust speed or move over to allow others to merge. Nothing to do with tailgating or bad driving, just normal every day procedure on a motorway. If you think that's not normal motorway practice you're either a non driver or looking for a pointless argument.
Or possibly you just drive along happily like Mr Magoo oblivious to what's going on around you.

ohnonotgmail

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

There can only be no space of people are driving too close to the car in front...........

If am driving in the left lane with sufficient space between me and the car in front and another car merges into that space then I no longer have sufficient space to the car in front. Add that to people who merged at below motorway speeds and its a recipe for disaster. the gaps between exits on the M50 is far too small so sticking to the middle lane makes for a smoother drive. on the M1 or other motorways I will happily sit in the left lane.

markmoto

Hi Ladies, now that I understand your point of view for driving in the middle lane.
And I do realise that many of you who prefer middle lane or lane called number 2 not actually aware that you're the main cause of traffic jams and fatal road collisions.

By holding middle lane in a matter of 30 minutes drivers behind you ending up in congestion.
Congestion is not the only factor. Holding lane N2 stress other drivers to weave in and out of the traffic

According to RSA
You should always use lane N1 (slow lane) for normal driving. And stay in this lane unless you are overtaking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AGzWyOChnQ

ohnonotgmail

markmoto wrote: »

Hi Ladies, now that I understand your point of view for driving in the middle lane.
And I do realise that many of you who prefer middle lane or lane called number 2 are not actually aware that you're the main cause of traffic jams and fatal road collisions.

By holding middle lane in a matter of 30 minutes drivers behind you ending up in congestion.
Congestion is not the only factor. Holding lane N2 stress other drivers to weave in and out of the traffic

According to RSA
You should always use lane N1 (slow lane) for normal driving. And stay in this lane unless you are overtaking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AGzWyOChnQ

try that on the M50 in rush hour and come back and talk to me about stress.

KaneToad

Kewreeuss wrote: »

The same people think the outside lane is a normal lane too.

Do you mean the fast lane?

markmoto

KaneToad wrote: »

Do you mean the fast lane?

There is no fast or slow lane rather Lane1, 2, 3 etc
So everyone should stay on Lane1 (slow lane)

markmoto

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

try that on the M50 in rush hour and come back and talk to me about stress.

We are not talking about rush hours rather when people holding middle lane while lane1 (slow lane) empty. See first post picture.

markmoto

markmoto wrote: »

Hi Ladies, now that I understand your point of view for driving in the middle lane.
And I do realise that many of you who prefer middle lane or lane called number 2 are not actually aware that you're the main cause of traffic jams and fatal road collisions.

By holding middle lane in a matter of 30 minutes drivers behind you ending up in congestion.
Congestion is not the only factor. Holding lane N2 stress other drivers to weave in and out of the traffic

According to RSA
You should always use lane N1 (slow lane) for normal driving. And stay in this lane unless you are overtaking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AGzWyOChnQ

Hi Mark, from reading your posts in this thread I assume that you are a new driver more comfortable with driving theory but with little driving practice. Otherwise why would you even be asking such basic questions.
The only advice I can give you is to practise and get actual experience of the roads and your reactions. The rules of the road are great guidelines but your best friend is common sense. Especially when you are protecting yourself and your passengers from harm.

jimmycrackcorm

If ever there was an argument for using average speed cameras, it would be to utilize them to fine people driving in the wrong lane instead of speed.

Habits would soon change...

markmoto

Deleted User wrote: »

Hi Mark, from reading your posts in this thread I assume that you are a new driver more comfortable with driving theory but with little driving practice. Otherwise why would you even be asking such basic questions.

Basic question in what way?
I created thread to bring awareness to people who love to drive in middle lanes while lane1 is empty and that they causing huge problems from congestion to fatal road collisions.

Many countries already introduce fines for drivers who holding middle lane for no reason. Run youtube search to see for your self.

markmoto

markmoto wrote: »

Basic question in what way?
I created thread to bring awareness to people who love to drive in middle lanes while lane1 is empty and that they causing huge problems from congestion to fatal road collisions.

Many countries already introduce fines for drivers who holding middle lane for no reason. Run youtube search to see for your self.

Mark, you created thread in 'Learning to drive' forum.
That implied to me that you were just starting out.
Your subsequent posts didn't dispel this idea.

Sharpyshoot

A lot of suv drivers drive all over the road as they can’t drive them.

mojesius

I call the left lane the 'stonecutters' lane. Especially on the M7. There is often a trail of idiots lumbering along at 90k for no reason in the middle lane to saunter past.

M50 is just a **** show most of the time so I don't judge anyone during busy times.

SCOOP 64

As anyone undertaken in lane one when a car is hogging lane 2 below speed limit just to try to prove a point, ive never done it myself.

markmoto

Deleted User wrote: »

Mark, you created thread in 'Learning to drive' forum.
That implied to me that you were just starting out.
Your subsequent posts didn't dispel this idea.

TimeLad, I found this category more appropriate in a hope that people who learn how to drive will read and we have less newcomers with bad habits.
Thanks

StevenToast

If someone is hogging the middle lane....i overtake them...problem solved

markmoto

StevenToast wrote: »

If someone is hogging the middle lane....i overtake them...problem solved

is not that easy for HGVs, they get trapped and that's what initiate congestion.

SCOOP 64 wrote: »

As anyone undertaken in lane one when a car is hogging lane 2 below speed limit just to try to prove a point, ive never done it myself.

Having no choice majority of HGVs will overtake in lane1.

alias no.9

Panjandrums wrote: »

And then the other middle lane drivers are thinking how "dangerous" your driving is.

Don't worry, I've come to the conclusion that the Middle Lane Moron is a phenomenon driven by a lack of awareness of other road users, they won't even have noticed what happened.

When people justify Middle Lane Moronism on the basis of avoiding the need to change lane when someone is merging, it's because this process sends them into a tailspin.
Instead of always being aware of traffic around them they suddenly have to wake from their daydream and figure out in a panic if there's room to change lane. Things like this should be second nature, if they're not, it's almost always due to poor observation.

Guy:Incognito

Deleted User wrote: »

Ah come on, do you actually drive on the M50 or any motorway? Its common practice to adjust speed or move over to allow others to merge. Nothing to do with tailgating or bad driving, just normal every day procedure on a motorway. If you think that's not normal motorway practice you're either a non driver or looking for a pointless argument.
Or possibly you just drive along happily like Mr Magoo oblivious to what's going on around you.

I drive on the M50 every day, as well as other motorways in and out of Dublin. Whats common practice is a large percentage of drivers being bad at using motorways. The middle lane is usually full of cars. The idiots then all try move across 2 lanes to exit while joining with the few people that were already in the left lane and end up in a line with about a car length between them while the idiots merging are doing the same while both lines try to swap lanes in the same place.

"merge like a zip" is like some form of witchcraft to Irish drivers.

If people left a proper gap there would be no issue with other cars merging with them.

If youre on the motorway, you dont adjust speed, the cars merging match speed with the traffic on the motorway. Eejits all "adjusting speed" to suit the people merging is why the traffic all brakes and slows to 70-80 or less at junctions. 2 lanes of traffic both braking to merge. Its ridiculous, drivers brake to exit the motorway, brake to enter it, brake to change lanes. FFS outside of an emergency situation, you shouldnt need to brake on a motorway.

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

If am driving in the left lane with sufficient space between me and the car in front and another car merges into that space then I no longer have sufficient space to the car in front. Add that to people who merged at below motorway speeds and its a recipe for disaster. the gaps between exits on the M50 is far too small so sticking to the middle lane makes for a smoother drive. on the M1 or other motorways I will happily sit in the left lane.

Sufficient space for what? The sufficent space was for them to merge. You can then ease off a touch and create the gap again.


The space between junctions isnt the issue, its the stupid drivers. Look at the shortest one,between ballymount and red cow. 2 lanes of traffic (1 entering and 1 exiting) try to change lanes right as the hatch marks end. Both slowing to try get in to gaps with the other and neither actually leaving gaps for the other to merge. Bloody simpletons, meanwhile , after the first 50-100m of broken line after the hatch marks, there nothing in either lane because theyre all slowing to way below the limit to try get across .

Guy:Incognito

SCOOP 64 wrote: »

As anyone undertaken in lane one when a car is hogging lane 2 below speed limit just to try to prove a point, ive never done it myself.

If someone overtakes you on the left, youre in the wrong lane.

Wishbone Ash

athlone573 wrote: »

Honestly I don't mind as long as they stick to the speed limit, it annoys me if I'm in the inside lane at 95 and I have to switch lanes 4 times to get round someone driving at 70,usually an aul lad with a peak cap or a woman driver.

Sticking to the speed limit is doing anything under that limit. A driver doing 70 in a 120 zone is sticking to the speed limit.

Guy:Incognito

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

FFS outside of an emergency situation, you shouldnt need to brake on a motorway.

No one said anything about braking on a moterway. You are not understanding the difference between adjusting speed and braking.
That is worrying assuming that you are a driver.

KaneToad

markmoto wrote: »

There is no fast or slow lane rather Lane1, 2, 3 etc
So everyone should stay on Lane1 (slow lane)

And there was me, thinking I wasn't being subtle enough...

Guy:Incognito

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

This country is full of idiots that don't know how to drive.

Just this morning I was coming down the slip at tallaght northbound.. . .

Isn't it always the way?

markmoto

KaneToad wrote: »

And there was me, thinking I wasn't being subtle enough...

Sorry, some car driver think "fast lane" for cars and "slow lane" for trucks only. Hence RSA have changed that to Lane1,2,3
Don't want anyone to fail into confusion.

Victor

markmoto wrote: »

According to New independent research conducted by the Freight Transport Association has shown that HGVs pay enough tax alone to cover almost the whole spending on road maintenance.

Would you happen to have a link for this?

markmoto

Victor wrote: »

Would you happen to have a link for this?

Run google search on this phrase "Freight Transport Association has shown that HGVs pay enough tax alone"

blackvalley

Aw yes . Another tread that should be titled ." Lets all us really good drivers moan about the rest " The usual moaning and bitching about what " other drivers do " and how bad the " standard of driving is " .
So who are all these really bad drivers .?
Haven driven for fifty years I have been involved in numerous conversations over coffee , pints , work and family where everyone gave out about all the " bad drivers " out there . And do you know what ? . I have NEVER spoken to a bad driver yet . Everyone I know is a great driver and if it wasnt for all the OTHER bad drivers everything would be great .
So I will put my hand up and admit to being an average to bad driver who sometimes gets things wrong . Please excuse me for posting on a topic where most contributors are really good drivers. :rolleyes:

markmoto

blackvalley wrote: »

Aw yes . Another tread that should be titled ." Lets all us really good drivers moan about the rest " The usual moaning and bitching about what " other drivers do " and how bad the " standard of driving is " . :rolleyes:

Don't hog middle lane please : )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AGzWyOChnQ

MrMusician18

alias no.9 wrote: »

Don't worry, I've come to the conclusion that the Middle Lane Moron is a phenomenon driven by a lack of awareness of other road users, they won't even have noticed what happened.

When people justify Middle Lane Moronism on the basis of avoiding the need to change lane when someone is merging, it's because this process sends them into a tailspin.
Instead of always being aware of traffic around them they suddenly have to wake from their daydream and figure out in a panic if there's room to change lane. Things like this should be second nature, if they're not, it's almost always due to poor observation.

The reason you have middle lane hogging is that it's a far easier way to drive for the driver. They do not have to worry about traffic leaving or in particular merging. And it's merging that's the real issue. No matter how big of a gap you leave you could still end up travelling parallel to someone trying to merge - leaving you having to brake or move out and it may not always be safe to do either of those, or you might find that situation stressful. Driving down the middle avoids this.

This isn't to excuse the behaviour, but it can explain it.

GarIT

SCOOP 64 wrote: »

As anyone undertaken in lane one when a car is hogging lane 2 below speed limit just to try to prove a point, ive never done it myself.

Almost always. I drive at the speed limit in the left lane until I need to get around someone who is alead of me in the left lane. If someone is going slower than me in the middle lane it would be unsafe for me to change lane 4 times to get around them.