Why do car owners drive in the middle lane?

GreeBo

Princess Calla wrote: »

You will be constantly adjusting your speed or else jumping in and out of lanes.

AKA "Driving".:rolleyes:

WishUWereHere

WishUWereHere wrote: »

Seen something today that stunned me: coach in middle lane on the M7 NB, car behind it, car shifted to inside lane,, undercut the coach, then pulled back into the middle lane in front of the coach & carried on.



what goes on in people's mind?

Have to say I admired your innocence here, stunned to witness an undertaking manoeuvre on the motorway?
Perhaps it's best to sit in the middle lane and stay safe.

Paddigol

realdanbreen wrote: »

I cannot understand all the hoo haw about motorway driving where, regardless of the number of lanes, all the traffic is going in the same direction.
The real drivers in this country are the rural folk who drive on narrow windy roads where very often there isn't room for two cars to pass never mind tractors, gravel trucks etc. You never know when some gob****e is going to come flying around the bend on the wrong side. If you do hit him on an unmarked road it's tough **** as those collisions are regarded as 50/50 regardless of the fact the gob****e was in the middle of the road. As for cyclists! They should be barred from country roads, let them into a park or somewhere to cycle round.

Good man, replying to yourself. Would explain why your post comes across as the rantings of a lunatic. Just take the likes of yourself off the road and the rest of us can drive around in peace.

realdanbreen

Paddigol wrote: »

Good man, replying to yourself. Would explain why your post comes across as the rantings of a lunatic. Just take the likes of yourself off the road and the rest of us can drive around in peace.

Bye:D

Upgrading of the M7 has to have been the biggest waste of time and money, never mind the inconvenience to everyone who had to use it while work was being done. Adding a 3rd lane that nobody seems to use

Could they not have seen that the bad usage of the N7 would indicate that turning the M7 into a 3 lane motorway was a waste of time.

Everyone just plodding along in the middle lane, even if there is no traffic.

Infuriating. To safely pass these idiots you have to change lane 4 times.

If youre going to turn a road into a 3 lane motorway, at least add a sign or police it.

The inside lane will still be brand new in 20years.

Pure ignorance

Princess Calla

GreeBo wrote: »

AKA "Driving".:rolleyes:

Yeah and if I want to do that level of " up and down speeds/in and out lanes" I'll drive through the city.

On the m50 where I have the option to stay in one lane and travel for the most part at the one speed without holding anyone else up, I'll do that and get on with my day, and let others get on with theirs.

Princess Calla

Princess Calla wrote: »

Yeah and if I want to do that level of " up and down speeds/in and out lanes" I'll drive through the city.

On the m50 where I have the option to stay in one lane and travel for the most part at the one speed without holding anyone else up, I'll do that and get on with my day, and let others get on with theirs.

But you don’t have the option to sit on the middle lane, as, it’s NOT one of the options.
The option is to keep left unless overtaking.
Thats like saying you have the option to speed or use your mobile phone while driving.

liamog

Princess Calla wrote: »

On the m50 where I have the option to stay in one lane and travel for the most part at the one speed without holding anyone else up, I'll do that and get on with my day, and let others get on with theirs.

Most of the people sitting in the middle lane are holding up other traffic, they've turned a 3 lane road into a 2 lane road. I prefer to maintain a steady speed, in order to this, when I approach a car going slower than me I will move out a lane, once I've finished the overtake I pull back in, the amount of time on the M50 I have to go from lane 1 to lane 3 then immediately back to lane 1 is ridiculous. I do this because is also illegal to overtake on the left

GreeBo

Princess Calla wrote: »

Yeah and if I want to do that level of " up and down speeds/in and out lanes" I'll drive through the city.

On the m50 where I have the option to stay in one lane and travel for the most part at the one speed without holding anyone else up, I'll do that and get on with my day, and let others get on with theirs.

Can I suggest a merry go round if you want constant speed with no actual driving?

Your "option" is fecking up the entire road for everyone who wants to drive properly AND efficiently.

GreeBo

GreeBo wrote: »

Can I suggest a merry go round if you want constant speed with no actual driving?

Your "option" is fecking up the entire road for everyone who wants to drive properly AND efficiently.

I don't agree. I think the current system that has evolved through drivers using common sense works as well as any other would.
The idea that M50 traffic congestion would be fixed if everyone stuck to the left lane is very naive. In actual fact I believe it would make it worse. No point comparing it to Germany or US. The M50 is a very unique breed of motorway.

Princess Calla

GreeBo wrote: »

Can I suggest a merry go round if you want constant speed with no actual driving?

Your "option" is fecking up the entire road for everyone who wants to drive properly AND efficiently.

You can suggest all you like but you'll still find me in the middle lane.

Sure throw up your reg there and I'll give you a wave as I overtake you.

liamog

Princess Calla wrote: »

You can suggest all you like but you'll still find me in the middle lane.

A classic sign of the level of selfishness in modern society, so many people have stopped caring about their impact on others. It's all about making yourself comfortable and ignoring the impact on others.

A random internet person is disappointed in you!

Tombo2001

Andrewf20 wrote: »

Its known as public choice theory (on wiki). People will sometimes choose their own selfish interests over the common good. Its part of human behaviour and is found in pretty much every walk of life and we are all guilty of it somewhere, sometime.

A cognitive bias thats also seen in people is a tendency to hold other people to higher standards than themselves. So, for example if another driver beeps you for a transgression, you will tend to go on the defensive and say you judgement is not in the wrong. Or another example is people who will give out about cyclists breaking red lights but they themselves will jaywalk all day long.

Explain though why it is that people obey traffic laws in Germany far more so than here.

I remember first time visiting Germany - standing at a pedestrian light, traffic clear, no cars at all....and I wander on across. Red man.

There are 10 or 12 people at the lights and suddenly its like I've been caught by an offside trap. I am out in the middle of the road on my own....

The colleague shouts out to me - "what are you doing!!"


I'm just doing what I've always done back home, and what everyone else back home does too....

liamog

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Explain though why it is that people obey traffic laws in Germany far more so than here.

I know in Poland it's due to likelihood of a fine, I've been on a few trips to Wroclaw, colleagues have pointed out Police watching pedestrian crossings, I've even seen a couple of people being issued fines.

ED E

liamog wrote: »

I know in Poland it's due to likelihood of a fine, I've been on a few trips to Wroclaw, colleagues have pointed out Police watching pedestrian crossings, I've even seen a couple of people being issued fines.

That's the city police. We should have municipal police here.

Cilldara_2000

This rule where you're supposed to increase your speed on the slip road to match the speed of the traffic in lane 1. Nobody told the designer of the N7 this. So many junctions with ridiculously short slip roads where it's near impossible to do this unless you're in some sort of sports car.

_Kaiser_

Cilldara_2000 wrote: »

This rule where you're supposed to increase your speed on the slip road to match the speed of the traffic in lane 1. Nobody told the designer of the N7 this. So many junctions with ridiculously short slip roads where it's near impossible to do this unless you're in some sort of sports car.

What I tend to do with one of those slow mergers (of which there are many) is hang back until there's a sufficient gap for me to not only join the motorway at a decent speed, but quickly overtake them as well.

Admittedly a 3.0 TDI with 245 horsies helps

magicbastarder

Tombo2001 wrote: »

I remember first time visiting Germany - standing at a pedestrian light, traffic clear, no cars at all....and I wander on across. Red man.

There are 10 or 12 people at the lights and suddenly its like I've been caught by an offside trap. I am out in the middle of the road on my own....

The colleague shouts out to me - "what are you doing!!"

a colleague of mine was issued an on the spot €5 fine for doing this. the policeman/traffic warden was carrying a credit card machine. almost certainly was in duesseldorf.

liamog

I much prefer the European style of fines, it's a small annoyance that is regularly enforced. Here they'd try an implement a €200 fine for crossing the road and then never enforce it as its seen as too draconian.

Andrewf20

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Explain though why it is that people obey traffic laws in Germany far more so than here.

I remember first time visiting Germany - standing at a pedestrian light, traffic clear, no cars at all....and I wander on across. Red man.

There are 10 or 12 people at the lights and suddenly its like I've been caught by an offside trap. I am out in the middle of the road on my own....

The colleague shouts out to me - "what are you doing!!"


I'm just doing what I've always done back home, and what everyone else back home does too....

Not sure. It could be a number of things. But I have seen impatience and bad driving in Germany also. Less stressed people in traffic could be one. Busy, stressed people in Dublin for example usually brings out the worst in driving. Better driving training also could be a factor over there. Alot of old people here who never sat a test.

liamog

Andrewf20 wrote: »

Alot of old people here who never sat a test.

45,000 people 42 years ago, apparently this one set of drivers is responsible for every single bad driving incident.
They must be driving like Monty Python Hell's Grannies at this stage

GreeBo

Deleted User wrote: »

I don't agree. I think the current system that has evolved through drivers using common sense works as well as any other would.

Wouldn't common sense have everyone driving by the same principals?
What is your common sense approach? Could you define it?
It seems, from an outsider, to be pretty much "I drive in the lane that means I can pay the least amount of attention to my surroundings"

Deleted User wrote: »

The idea that M50 traffic congestion would be fixed if everyone stuck to the left lane is very naive. In actual fact I believe it would make it worse. No point comparing it to Germany or US. The M50 is a very unique breed of motorway.

I don't think anyone has suggested that it would be "fixed", but it would certainly significantly help. How could it possibly make it worse?

Princess Calla wrote: »

You can suggest all you like but you'll still find me in the middle lane.

Of that I have no doubt.

Princess Calla wrote: »

Sure throw up your reg there and I'll give you a wave as I overtake you.

But that would require you to actually be aware of other drivers and your surroundings...

Tombo2001

liamog wrote: »

I know in Poland it's due to likelihood of a fine, I've been on a few trips to Wroclaw, colleagues have pointed out Police watching pedestrian crossings, I've even seen a couple of people being issued fines.

Could be right.

The basic view on all fronts here is that if it happens often enough, it becomes impossible to enforce.

I can step outside the house right now and see 30 or 40 cars parked on the pavement. All doing so illegally.

liamog

It's mad to think that with a little bit of enforcement a number of M50 drivers would be banned from driving within the week. They'd rack up 12 penalty points incredibly quickly for "Failure to drive on the left hand side of the road"

Andrewf20

liamog wrote: »

45,000 people 42 years ago, apparently this one set of drivers is responsible for every single bad driving incident.
They must be driving like Monty Python Hell's Grannies at this stage

I didnt say it was the reason for every bad incident. But its likely to be part of the problem.

liamog

Andrewf20 wrote: »

I didnt say it was the reason for every bad incident. But its likely to be part of the problem.

Well there are 2.5 million registered drivers in Ireland, I'm sure the 1.8% (if they're even still driving) are the ones on here defending middle lane usage and camping there on the road.

Andrewf20

Tbh, if it was me, I would consider the notion of allowing undertaking to be legal like in the USA. It seems to work fine over there. There is more of a blind spot over your right shoulder than your left.

Andrewf20

liamog wrote: »

Well there are 2.5 million registered drivers in Ireland, I'm sure the 1.8% (if they're even still driving) are the ones on here defending middle lane usage and camping there on the road.

Ok so its probably small but I think its still a factor. As I say, there are likely to be a few reasons. I think the biggest reason why people sit in the middle lane is the frequent lane hoping thats needed due to merging & slow moving traffic in this lane. All to often you end up getting boxed in more than in any other lane.

What bugs me is people in the middle lane sitting there 20 under the limit. But on busy enough days, I dont mind it if people are in the middle lane doing the speed limit.

Larbre34

Middle lane eh. That hoary old chestnut.

The rules versus the practical and indeed the safe.

On a moderately busy M50 I will stick mostly to the speed limit and will generally keep left, but if the left lane is scattered with slow moving heavy vehicles and there is, as there tends to be, a decent amount of merging traffic from the busier intersections, I have no problem defending my decision to be doing 100/110 in the centre lane and staying there, rather than shifting middle to left to middle frequently.

That said, if I were for any reason driving at the same speed as the slower moving traffic in the left lane, that is where I will stay.

GreeBo

Andrewf20 wrote: »

Ok so its probably small but I think its still a factor. As I say, there are likely to be a few reasons. I think the biggest reason why people sit in the middle lane is the frequent lane hoping thats needed due to merging & slow moving traffic in this lane. All to often you end up getting boxed in more than in any other lane.

What bugs me is people in the middle lane sitting there 20 under the limit. But on busy enough days, I dont mind it if people are in the middle lane doing the speed limit.

You really only get boxed in by other MLMs though.

Andrewf20

GreeBo wrote: »

You really only get boxed in by other MLMs though.

Whats a MLM?

Does anyone really believe that those who complain and rant about drivers in the middle lane are drivers who stick in the left lane?
They aren't. You will find them in the 3rd lane. And they will try to justify this by saying they are forced there by those taking the middle lane.
Well, boo-hoo.
You're as much part of the problem as anyone else you try to blame.

liamog

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Does anyone really believe that those who complain and rant about drivers in the middle lane are drivers who stick in the left lane?

I can only speak for myself, I have an equal disdain for outside lane drivers, its the failure to keep left that I have an issue with. My problem is that the drivers failure to show either the competentancy or curtesy to drive in the correct lane impacts me when I need to pass them. Driving along at 95km/h in the incorrect lane causes me to have to cross lanes 4 times instead of the 2 it should take me. I will admit when I'm in lane 1 and someone is driving along in lane 3 with lane 2 clear, I will commit the mortal sin of passing on the left.

GreeBo

Deleted User wrote: »

Does anyone really believe that those who complain and rant about drivers in the middle lane are drivers who stick in the left lane?
They aren't. You will find them in the 3rd lane. And they will try to justify this by saying they are forced there by those taking the middle lane.
Well, boo-hoo.
You're as much part of the problem as anyone else you try to blame.

Except that those in the 3rd lane are there because of people needlessly driving in the 2nd lane, unless you want them to illegally pass on the left?

If they were correctly using the first lane the 2nd lane would have light traffic and the 3rd lane would have even less.

Miscreant

Andrewf20 wrote: »

Whats a MLM?

Middle Lane Motorist perhaps? Or the last M could be something less complimentary.

FrankC21

Inner lanes are for big-slow lorries, dublin bus, old people, cars carrying sofas, mattresses, beds, the whole bedroom, new reg car owners - ye I see it a lot and cars joining the motorway and people who just chill driving one hand.

Third lanes driver fast builders, contractors with their ford rangers, transit, vw vans, toyota land cruiser, car reg from north, ESB vans, UPS, DPD, garda X5, emergency vehicles, boy ricer and people who are in hurry to go to the loo.

Driving in the middle lane you get to see lots of things.

tcawley29

FrankC21 wrote: »

Inner lanes are for big-slow lorries, dublin bus, old people, cars carrying sofas, mattresses, beds, the whole bedroom, new reg car owners - ye I see it a lot and cars joining the motorway and people who just chill driving one hand.

Third lanes driver fast builders, contractors with their ford rangers, transit, vw vans, toyota land cruiser, car reg from north, ESB vans, UPS, DPD, garda X5, emergency vehicles, boy ricer and people who are in hurry to go to the loo.

Driving in the middle lane you get to see lots of things.

which one are you?

FrankC21

tcawley29 wrote: »

which one are you?

I am the one you see when you look at your rear view mirror. Blinking my headlights to say move out of the lane.

Sharpyshoot

I drive in the fast lane with my white duster.

tcawley29

FrankC21 wrote: »

I am the one you see when you look at your rear view mirror. Blinking my headlights to say move out the lane.

I forgot that fluence was such a weapon

FrankC21

tcawley29 wrote: »

I forgot that fluence was such a weapon

harmless

Sharpyshoot wrote: »

I drive in the fast lane with my white duster.

The driving lane is the new "fast lane" if you are on the upgraded part of the M7

https://youtu.be/UrgpZ0fUixs?t=90

matchthis

harmless wrote: »

The driving lane is the new "fast lane" if you are on the upgraded part of the M7

https://youtu.be/UrgpZ0fUixs?t=90

Geez that brings me back

Samuel T. Cogley

One thing that pisses me off here is the range of speeds. You get everything from 80kph to 140kph. Any driving I've done in France everyone goes around the limit,makes for a much more relaxing drive.

Panjandrums

Samuel T. Cogley wrote: »

One thing that pisses me off here is the range of speeds. You get everything from 80kph to 140kph. Any driving I've done in France everyone goes around the limit,makes for a much more relaxing drive.

Absolutely, but if I'm overtaking, I'll set my cruise to speed limit plus 2kmph and make no apologies for being in their way.

Samuel T. Cogley

Panjandrums wrote: »

Absolutely, but if I'm overtaking, I'll set my cruise to speed limit plus 2kmph and make no apologies for being in their way.

As someone who pulls in as often as they can, this can be problematic as well. You end up stuck behind someone bimbling along at 90 while someone very slowly overtakes you. Now I'm not having a go as no one has the right to ask you to speed but I'm just pointing out another issue connected with the people bimbling at 90.

Isambard

it's down to experience. Once you've a few miles and years under your belt, merging in and out of the inside lane is child's play. If you can't or won't use the left hand most available lane, you can't drive properly.

As said way back on page one : the biggest problem is lack of enforcement.

Zatoichi

No idea what happened here most likely a dangerous merge, but a white van is involved so could also be tailgating/road rage.

stephen1968

I am a hgv driver i drive midleton cork to redcow Dublin daily...and constantly see cars sitting in middle lane doing 80km in a 100km zone and on m7 which is 120km in lane 2 doing the same.. I just under take them as found the minute I move out to overtake they speed up...and i also noticed sitting there for 20km then at the very last minute move in to turn off so I do my very best to block them 😀...many years ago while driving coaches around Ireland and UK another driver told why would you sit in the middle lane as your constantly looking in both your mirrors like a meerkat...stay in inside lane and only use one mirror...another good reason to stay in that lane and not upset people...and i think the other reason that driver do this is either busy talking on phone or to there passenger that they don't realise where they are.

_Kaiser_

On 3-lane roads like the M50 or N7 to the Carlow exit, and during non-nightime hours, I generally spend most of the time in L3 doing the limit-ish or as close to it as traffic volume permits and overtaking the dozens upon dozens of cars who can't even manage that.

Given the volume and the proximity of the exits (particularly between J6 and J11 on the M50) I've no interest in constantly switching lanes on the M50/N7 during the day, slowing and speeding up unnecessarily, watching to be cut off by someone merging/breaking the hatch markings or diving for an exit at the last minute and so on. I will instead cruise as far away from all that as possible until I reach my exit and only having 1 lane of cars to worry about beside me rather than caught in the middle while all this goes on around me.

On 2-lane stretches/at quieter times though I alternate between L1 and L2 to overtake when needed, but I've done enough driving over the years and seen enough of the above daily that - in the generally complete absence of any enforcemrnt beyond speeding - I will use my own experience and judgement to keep myself, any passengers, my car and those around me as safe as possible, and if that means cruising along in L3 at the limit-ish, then that's what I'll do.

AGS vehicles incidentally are always in L3 and while yes, they are exempt from normal traffic laws, they are still expected to abide by them while not on an active call as I understand it, so if it's good enough for them it's good enough for me.