Speaking of hurling insults....Wanderer wrote:that's a lot nicer term than I usually call thememmline wrote: Yes, I agree. I do move for this reason. I move while reserving the right to think he's a troll.
Whaddya mean - you know you only tailgate me because you like the look of my arse!djm wrote: Sure, I'm right with you on this, Steve. Now get outa my feckin' lane!
Same rule of the road here only all the other way round as we drive on the left. It is simply not on to drive in the middle lane when the inside lane is clear, even if you're doing 120. Three-quarters of the UK population don't appear to understand this basic rule.Sorry, don't mean to sound like I'm picking on you, but if you are "somewhere in the middle" lanes and not passing anything, you are in the wrong lane, and the tailgater may well be telling you so. You should be in the right-most lane unless passing, or unless you are Steve, in which case you are driving on the wrong side of the road anyway.emmline wrote:I'm somewhere in the middle, and that the tailgater is fully free to pass me.
djm
When's the last time you shaved this thing. Ooops! Wrong forum.SteveShaw wrote:you know you only tailgate me because you like the look of my arse!
I don't know about where you live, but here they have big electronic message boards over the freeways, dispensing road and traffic conditions ahead, as well as smarmy little safe-driving blurbs. Not once have I ever seen these signs say, "Passing lanes are for passing only!"SteveShaw wrote:It is simply not on to drive in the middle lane when the inside lane is clear, even if you're doing 120. Three-quarters of the UK population don't appear to understand this basic rule.
Yes. I'm frequently on highways with 3-4 lanes (one direction.) We'll call them, r to l, 1,2,3,&4. (That's 4,3,2,&1 to Steve.)djm wrote: I don't know about where you live, but here they have big electronic message boards over the freeways, dispensing road and traffic conditions ahead, as well as smarmy little safe-driving blurbs. Not once have I ever seen these signs say, "Passing lanes are for passing only!"
djm
In Texas, the law (545.051.b of the Texas Transportation Code) reads:emmline wrote:Yes. I'm frequently on highways with 3-4 lanes (one direction.) We'll call them, r to l, 1,2,3,&4. (That's 4,3,2,&1 to Steve.)djm wrote: I don't know about where you live, but here they have big electronic message boards over the freeways, dispensing road and traffic conditions ahead, as well as smarmy little safe-driving blurbs. Not once have I ever seen these signs say, "Passing lanes are for passing only!"
djm
Typically I'm in lane 2, because I'm passing people in lane 1 often enough that it's a nuisance to hang out there. If I'm supposed to stay in lane 1 unless I'm passing, what are 3 and 4 for? (Evidently, as I've previously stated, there are many aggressive drivers who don't think 3 and 4 are for them, since they prefer to tailgate me in lane 2.)
I'm not trying to hack this thing apart with a machete, but I'm just curious about this question, as I've stated it. If I'm violating a basic, common-sense law of driving safety I'd like to know.
Makes sense to me. Another reason to avoid lane 1 is that people are merging in that lane so why be there creating more congestion and having to deal with in-coming cars unless you're getting on or off. I really believe driving in lane 2 is quite sensible for someone driving at the speed limit. If others wish to go faster they have two lanes to drive in. People going slower than the speed limit should stick to lane 1 unless they need to pass someone going even more slowly. If someone was obviously tailgating me in lane 2 I would be quite alarmed because the only reason for doing it would be to try to scare me or mess with me somehow. I would probably get off the freeway if there was a safe place to go.emmline wrote:Yes. I'm frequently on highways with 3-4 lanes (one direction.) We'll call them, r to l, 1,2,3,&4. (That's 4,3,2,&1 to Steve.)djm wrote: I don't know about where you live, but here they have big electronic message boards over the freeways, dispensing road and traffic conditions ahead, as well as smarmy little safe-driving blurbs. Not once have I ever seen these signs say, "Passing lanes are for passing only!"
djm
Typically I'm in lane 2, because I'm passing people in lane 1 often enough that it's a nuisance to hang out there. If I'm supposed to stay in lane 1 unless I'm passing, what are 3 and 4 for? (Evidently, as I've previously stated, there are many aggressive drivers who don't think 3 and 4 are for them, since they prefer to tailgate me in lane 2.)
I'm not trying to hack this thing apart with a machete, but I'm just curious about this question, as I've stated it. If I'm violating a basic, common-sense law of driving safety I'd like to know.
We have indicators in UK cars and big round things in front of the driver called "steering wheels." In combination with the rear-view mirror, these can be used to do a thing called "changing lanes." It isn't difficult. Basically, you stay in the inside lane at all times unless you are passing other vehicles. You do not stay in the middle lane just because at some future time you may have to pass other vehicles. If you are in the inside lane and you approach a junction with traffic merging with you, you move out into the middle lane if you have to. Let's face it, a lot of people hog the middle lane because they're scared of getting boxed in. That is just very unintelligent driving. You are, effectively, reducing the width of the carriageway by a whole lane for all other road users.Cynth wrote:Makes sense to me. Another reason to avoid lane 1 is that people are merging in that lane so why be there creating more congestion and having to deal with in-coming cars unless you're getting on or off. I really believe driving in lane 2 is quite sensible for someone driving at the speed limit. If others wish to go faster they have two lanes to drive in. People going slower than the speed limit should stick to lane 1 unless they need to pass someone going even more slowly. If someone was obviously tailgating me in lane 2 I would be quite alarmed because the only reason for doing it would be to try to scare me or mess with me somehow. I would probably get off the freeway if there was a safe place to go.
But dont'cha think it's a context thing, kind of like handicapped stalls in public restrooms? Iow, if there's a lady in a wheelchair, waiting to use the toilet, one would obviously defer the larger stall to her. But if there are nothing but able-bodied users behind you, why leave the handicapped stall empty?SteveShaw wrote:Basically, you stay in the inside lane at all times unless you are passing other vehicles. You do not stay in the middle lane just because at some future time you may have to pass other vehicles.
SteveShaw wrote:We have indicators in UK cars and big round things in front of the driver called "steering wheels." In combination with the rear-view mirror, these can be used to do a thing called "changing lanes." It isn't difficult. Basically, you stay in the inside lane at all times unless you are passing other vehicles. You do not stay in the middle lane just because at some future time you may have to pass other vehicles. If you are in the inside lane and you approach a junction with traffic merging with you, you move out into the middle lane if you have to. Let's face it, a lot of people hog the middle lane because they're scared of getting boxed in. That is just very unintelligent driving. You are, effectively, reducing the width of the carriageway by a whole lane for all other road users.Cynth wrote:Makes sense to me. Another reason to avoid lane 1 is that people are merging in that lane so why be there creating more congestion and having to deal with in-coming cars unless you're getting on or off. I really believe driving in lane 2 is quite sensible for someone driving at the speed limit. If others wish to go faster they have two lanes to drive in. People going slower than the speed limit should stick to lane 1 unless they need to pass someone going even more slowly. If someone was obviously tailgating me in lane 2 I would be quite alarmed because the only reason for doing it would be to try to scare me or mess with me somehow. I would probably get off the freeway if there was a safe place to go.
Steve, I honestly think we must be talking about different situations. The term "middle lane" must mean something really particular to you, but it doesn't to me. We don't even always have a middle lane. Sometimes there are two middle lanes or none. But I will get one of those steering wheel things and see if it helps 
. Heheh. If ever an American sentence needed a translator's note for the Brits...emmline wrote: kind of like handicapped stalls in public restrooms?
What? They don't have special toilet cubicles for people confined to wheelchairs in English public restrooms? I find that hard to believe.SteveShaw wrote:If ever an American sentence needed a translator's note for the Brits
I think I can see where you are going with this, and if I'm right, then sorry, but I agree with Steve. If the slow lane is congested and/or there is a lot of traffic merging, then yes, it makes sense to stay in the next lane over. My experience here is that NOBODY is driving in the slow lane. The slowest drivers have all parked their butts in the other passing lanes, so that the ONLY lane available is the slow lane, and yes, you will see me buzzing by the morons in this lane at rush-hour, and it is illegal as all hell.Emmline wrote:why weave in and out of lane 1, if lane 2 is open and the speedsters have lanes 3 and 4?
Aha. Nearly there! But not "restrooms," please. Bogs, lavs, or just plain toilets. When I go into one the last thing I do is rest. It's usually a bloody struggle, actually...djm wrote:What? They don't have special toilet cubicles for people confined to wheelchairs in English public restrooms?SteveShaw wrote:If ever an American sentence needed a translator's note for the Brits
No more pulp for you, sir.