Middle lane morons on the motorway

Why do some drivers think that the middle lane on motorways is the correct one to use at all times, and don’t they realize that by doing so they are effectively blocking off the nearside lane to all other road users. I have my own personal acronym for such people M.O.R.O.N.S. (middle of the road obstructive nuisances).

Why do learner drivers not receive training on how to drive on motorways? As soon as they pass their driving test are allowed to do this without any guidance! I don’t really blame them I just blame the system. I talk from the point of view of someone who drives over sixty thousand miles a year and have done for over forty years.

Traffic at night on the M25, middle lane drivers

I have recently driven from Southampton to Antwerp in Belgium via Dover ferries. An amazingly simple motorway journey the whole way - just 280 miles. My gripe is the enormous number of inconsiderate motorists who block up the middle lane (and often the outside lane) on the British motorways. The French and Belgium motorways were in fact more congested throughout both journeys.

However I was not forced to slow down as both the French and Belgium drivers have far better road sense and allow the faster traffic to pass by automatically moving to the nearside (or middle) lanes as soon as they have passed a slower moving vehicle.

The benefits are two fold - even though there was heavier traffic it flowed without bunching up, and everyone was aware of the traffic around them. The second benefit is that the driving is therefore much more relaxed and less stressful on the continent with average speeds and fuel consumption greatly improved.

Drive off the ferry in Dover and we are back to the UK style - I have paid my Road Fund tax and I am going to sit in the middle lane and let everyone going even a little faster all bunch up behind me. This attitude often causes a domino effect. The average speed will drop down to 30-40mph as one car pushes out and takes 2 miles to overtake a middle lane moron doing just 65 mph.

Why not learn from our continental neighbours who know how to drive properly and make things easier for ourselves! Use your mirrors and move over even if there is no one directly behind you - It does make sense and I hope you agree!

By: Alan S. & Philip A. Smith

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Comments from visitors

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Pax-man, you're also just being a silly troll. Be quiet.

-10

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Dave - 13-Oct-11 08:39

Well at least pax-man owns up to being afraid to leave the middle lane. You should be commended for your honesty Paxman.

-13

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Boblet - 12-Oct-11 22:46

I own the middle lane at 80mph, every day. Screw you.

-17

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Pax-man - 12-Oct-11 20:12

I once came across a MORON on the M5 doing 65mph at around 10pm. There was no-one around but me and him. So I played ring-a-rosy with him. He was actually texting on his phone and completely oblivious to me running circles around him.

Then came the flashing blue lights in my mirror. He was pulled, I nearly wet myself with laughter.

+41

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Jack - 3-Mar-11 20:08

I am convinced by my weekly trips up & down the M62, M6, M56, that there is a good portion of drivers who are simply afraid to come out of the middle lane.

+89

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Boblet - 17-Feb-11 14:05

Middle lane drivers are the scurge of the motorway! They create potentially dangerous situations, are discurtious and should be fined as a speeder would! If you dont know how to use a motorway 1)get some lessons 2)do not use the motorway, If you do not know or do not have the necessary skills or confidence to use the motorway properly then you should either not be driving or 1)get some lessons 2)DO NOT USE THE MOTORWAY!!!!!

-27

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Banmiddlelane Drivers! - 17-Feb-11 13:26

JackFlash, you are a silly silly troll. Stop it.

+11

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Dave - 25-Jan-11 22:03

I travel at 70mph, no more, and yes I "hog" the middle lane because I cannot be bothered to pull in only to pull out a few minutes later. Will I change my habits? No way. Will I pull over for somebody flashing? Never.

-43

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JackFlash - 25-Jan-11 21:54

Nail hit right on head, Dave.

It's clearly too much of a chore for some to be aware of what is going on ahead and drive accordingly.

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Harsh But Fair - 31-Dec-10 17:14

Once again the point of this issue is totally missed. No one is suggesting you "zig-zag" in and out. If you read the road ahead, you'll probably see a further slower moving car/van/lorry etc so you can reasonably stay out in the middle lane to overtake that as well.

It's the mindless people who sit for miles and miles in the middle lane with NOTHING in the left lane for miles and miles, effectively wasting a lane. It isn't rocket science.

+16

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Dave - 29-Dec-10 19:57

If all of you who are defending driving in the middle lane with nothing in the left lane cannot understand why it's a problem, then to be honest you clearly shouldn't be driving as you lack any kind of common sense to be on a fast road. In most cases it's pure laziness that you can't be bothered to move over. The OP has it right with basic road sense and courtiousness to other road users - something that is sadly lacking in this selfish country of ours.

But don't take my word for it...

Highway Code rule 264:
"Lane discipline

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."

-63

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Dave - 29-Dec-10 17:22

You are a bunch of control freaks!!
Leave the middle lane guys alone. If they are overtaking row upon row of vehicles in the slow lane, then why not continue along the middle lane overtaking them? If you want to drive faster, then drive in the fast lane. what is the problem?

-83

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i hate control freaks - 21-Nov-10 23:54

"Anon is actually wrong, the middle lane is not the safest place to be on a motorway, the safest is the inside lane, the left lane, or what the Police refer to as Lane One"

Petrolhead that's what I'd expect from you! You just want everyone else out of your way so that you can benefit to the maximum and get to that parking space outside someone's house faster.

-33

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anon - 21-Nov-10 22:09

Moving from one lane to another is not beyond me. I choose not to do it sometimes. Traffic merging from the left, stubborn gits like you who won't yield to traffic trying to get out of the inside lane when they are approaching a slow moving vehicle etc etc. It makes no sense to burden yourself with the weaving job, and pay for the deceleration and acceleration needs of being a "good driver" as you would no doubt describe yourself.
You might do 80 in your Datsun 120Y, but what is 80 anyway? In any two cars its different. My 70 is probably 85 to your car.

+94

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anon - 21-Nov-10 22:06

Anon is actually wrong, the middle lane is not the safest place to be on a motorway, the safest is the inside lane, the left lane, or what the Police refer to as Lane One. The middle lane is for use when overtaking lorries or coaches that are in the left lane. Lorries and Coaches, where it is available, should move into what is called The Crawler lane.
The outside, or fast lane, should particularly be used when overtaking foreign left hand drive lorries.
The middle lane is used for overtaking caravans and other trailers. Always overtake in a straight line, always do so in a safe, committed, decisive and firm manner.

-74

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the crash expert - 21-Nov-10 17:15

If moving from one lane to another is beyond you, then you shouldn't be driving on motorways.

+54

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Harsh But Fair - 21-Nov-10 16:22

Wrong again. Who's the nuisance? Before you comment, appraise what evidence you have that I weave and flick as opposed to changing lanes in a safe manner?

Where and when possible, I drive at 80 MPH in the inside lane, as do many motorists. The police leave us be because there are so many of us and 80 is acceptable nowadays. Sue me for it.

How ironic that you mentioned driving gloves, when you appear to be perfectly suited to such attire.

+27

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Harsh But Fair - 21-Nov-10 16:19

No you are the nuisance flicking around dangerously weaving between cars and trucks "showing" us how it's done by the experts. Silly man. We'll all be fine without your guidance thanks. If you perceive someone doing the speed limit in the middle lane as a nuisance then, you clearly hope to exceed the speed limit and YOU are the nuisance.

+24

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anon - 21-Nov-10 16:11

Incidentally, you fit the profile of the typical middle lane driver very well. You see driving as boring, possibly because for reasons you see fit, you stick to the central lane of the motorway, regardless of traffic volume, conditions and the welfare of other drivers. If you drove properly and utilised the 3 (or 4 in some cases) available lanes properly then it may not be so boring.

"I drive down the middle. I'm never a nuisance."

I beg to differ. You habitually drive down the middle. Ergo, you ARE a nuisance. Deal with it.

-87

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Harsh But Fair - 21-Nov-10 16:07

So anyone who uses a 3 lane carriageway in the manner it is supposed to be used is weaving?

-88

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Harsh But Fair - 21-Nov-10 16:03

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