Views on straddling 2 lanes on Motorways / Dual Carriageways
Discussion
I see very little discussion of using two lanes on motorways (i.e. positioning the car so that the white line is underneath the centre of the car) and also very rarely see other drivers doing it. But it seems a sensible thing to do to me in certain circumstances and wonder what others think.
Most of these situations are at very high speeds. I'm not going to discuss that any further in this OP but feel free!
The situation I wish to discuss is when you are at the rear - and being at the rear is important, see the next paragraph - of two lanes (on a two lane road - adding additional lanes introduces various obvious dangers, but it also makes this scenario less likely to arise) of nose to tail traffic both going at roughly the same speed. This arises frequently due to elephant racing on the less good parts of the A1, the road I use this technique most on. Whichever lane you pick, and even if you hang back 10 seconds, you'll still see less than you will 2 or 3 seconds back from both lanes straddled in the middle. I don't need to explain why vision is important in this forum. That's the point in doing it.
The major disadvantage is that you are going to confuse, and possibly antagonise, other drivers. This is why I don't do it in a situation when it could be perceived I'm trying to prevent someone from getting past - I need to be at the rear of the queue. However I'm not so sure that in practice that this is a big deal - I've never witnessed any adverse affects on / reactions by drivers in front from doing this, but I am always mindful of course that I may be confusing them.
So what do you think about this technique? Seems a no brainer to me, but I've never seen it discussed and I essentially never see it being done - I only ever see lane straddling in the high speed scenarios. That suggests to me that I'm missing something obvious. But perhaps it's something we should consider doing more?
Most of these situations are at very high speeds. I'm not going to discuss that any further in this OP but feel free!
The situation I wish to discuss is when you are at the rear - and being at the rear is important, see the next paragraph - of two lanes (on a two lane road - adding additional lanes introduces various obvious dangers, but it also makes this scenario less likely to arise) of nose to tail traffic both going at roughly the same speed. This arises frequently due to elephant racing on the less good parts of the A1, the road I use this technique most on. Whichever lane you pick, and even if you hang back 10 seconds, you'll still see less than you will 2 or 3 seconds back from both lanes straddled in the middle. I don't need to explain why vision is important in this forum. That's the point in doing it.
The major disadvantage is that you are going to confuse, and possibly antagonise, other drivers. This is why I don't do it in a situation when it could be perceived I'm trying to prevent someone from getting past - I need to be at the rear of the queue. However I'm not so sure that in practice that this is a big deal - I've never witnessed any adverse affects on / reactions by drivers in front from doing this, but I am always mindful of course that I may be confusing them.
So what do you think about this technique? Seems a no brainer to me, but I've never seen it discussed and I essentially never see it being done - I only ever see lane straddling in the high speed scenarios. That suggests to me that I'm missing something obvious. But perhaps it's something we should consider doing more?
I'm struggling to see what you are getting at. If at the rear of a 2 lane queue, then why do you not just pick a lane and wait? Why do you need extra forward vision and what would you do anyway? Finally, are you not going to very quickly become the middle of the queue as others join behind?
As for the very high speed situation, if Germans can manage to stick to a lane at autobahn speeds, why do you need more in the UK? Maybe that is a sign to slow it down?
As for the very high speed situation, if Germans can manage to stick to a lane at autobahn speeds, why do you need more in the UK? Maybe that is a sign to slow it down?
If you're alone on a 2-lane (in one direction - as it's a DC) road it builds some separation between you and any badgers in the verges that may come wandering out, especially if you're approaching "a stern telling off" speeds. And it can be useful in the wet as the drainage camber on the road surface means puddles form at the edges first.
I don't usually do such things in traffic, though...
I don't usually do such things in traffic, though...
I can see what your getting at, we've all had that 3AM run somewhere at reckless speeds and it is always good to have as much runoff as possible in case of mechanical failure, will admit to moving from Lane 2 on entry on to the shoulder at apex and Lane 2 again on exit of some dual carriageway corners 
However in the kind of situation where this kind of positioning is even remotely necessary I think the velocity involved will be the offensive part to the public and law rather than your road positioning.
However on the other side of things it is beneficial in extremely adverse weather conditions where there is a lot of standing water or snow, it can do a lot to aid in your control, however again, if this kind of situation is mandating you straddling lanes the offensive part will most likely be your speed in the road conditions.
So ultimately it doesn't matter, if your going fast enough for it to make a difference people will most likely think your a bit of a dick anyway.
Of course the situation is entirely different if you happen to be in a high sided vehicle being blown about the road like a ragdoll, hazards on, ~30mph & straddling the s
t out of the lanes is the safest course of action.
However in the kind of situation where this kind of positioning is even remotely necessary I think the velocity involved will be the offensive part to the public and law rather than your road positioning.
However on the other side of things it is beneficial in extremely adverse weather conditions where there is a lot of standing water or snow, it can do a lot to aid in your control, however again, if this kind of situation is mandating you straddling lanes the offensive part will most likely be your speed in the road conditions.
So ultimately it doesn't matter, if your going fast enough for it to make a difference people will most likely think your a bit of a dick anyway.
Of course the situation is entirely different if you happen to be in a high sided vehicle being blown about the road like a ragdoll, hazards on, ~30mph & straddling the s
t out of the lanes is the safest course of action. Edited by caelite on Sunday 21st May 23:47
Extra information is only useful if you can use it.
Giving you the benefit of the doubt, if you're approaching the rear of two queues of traffic on a two lane dual carriageway, knowing what's ahead of them is irrelevant. The situation will change by the time that queue dissipates, and you will need to start to gather information again to decide what to do next.
If the queue is short enough for that not to apply, and you wish to overtake traffic in the left lane, then you join the queue of traffic that's overtaking. If you don't wish to overtake or you're not going to be able to do so in a reasonable time, then move to the left.
In my opinion, there is no advantage to what you propose, and you risk causing confusion to others.
Is that a fair answer, or am I missing your point?
(As for high speed, even forgetting legality I'm with the poster commenting about the Autobahn. If you don't have sufficient control of your vehicle to keep it in a lane designed to be wide enough for an HGV at motorway speed, then I think you're not in control of your vehicle. If you're trying to put space around you, there are ways of achieving that without breaking lane discipline.)
Giving you the benefit of the doubt, if you're approaching the rear of two queues of traffic on a two lane dual carriageway, knowing what's ahead of them is irrelevant. The situation will change by the time that queue dissipates, and you will need to start to gather information again to decide what to do next.
If the queue is short enough for that not to apply, and you wish to overtake traffic in the left lane, then you join the queue of traffic that's overtaking. If you don't wish to overtake or you're not going to be able to do so in a reasonable time, then move to the left.
In my opinion, there is no advantage to what you propose, and you risk causing confusion to others.
Is that a fair answer, or am I missing your point?
(As for high speed, even forgetting legality I'm with the poster commenting about the Autobahn. If you don't have sufficient control of your vehicle to keep it in a lane designed to be wide enough for an HGV at motorway speed, then I think you're not in control of your vehicle. If you're trying to put space around you, there are ways of achieving that without breaking lane discipline.)
Not sure the OP's point comes out very well but I try and position to the right or left of traffic ahead in order to increase visibility.
Snag is if it's the right-most lane then you're running in the unswept area and if you move to the left then the car in front thinks you're going to undertake.
Snag is if it's the right-most lane then you're running in the unswept area and if you move to the left then the car in front thinks you're going to undertake.
Dunno what all the comments about being high were about, the OP makes perfect sense to me.
Here's a diagram of what I was talking about. As you can see, straddling the lanes provides the most visibility, even if you are fairly close:
However
I think that's a fair answer, makes sense. I've probably been a bit obsessive about gathering information without thinking about what I'm going to do with it.
Here's a diagram of what I was talking about. As you can see, straddling the lanes provides the most visibility, even if you are fairly close:
However
blearyeyedboy said:
Extra information is only useful if you can use it.
Giving you the benefit of the doubt, if you're approaching the rear of two queues of traffic on a two lane dual carriageway, knowing what's ahead of them is irrelevant. The situation will change by the time that queue dissipates, and you will need to start to gather information again to decide what to do next.
If the queue is short enough for that not to apply, and you wish to overtake traffic in the left lane, then you join the queue of traffic that's overtaking. If you don't wish to overtake or you're not going to be able to do so in a reasonable time, then move to the left.
In my opinion, there is no advantage to what you propose, and you risk causing confusion to others.
Is that a fair answer, or am I missing your point?
(my boulding)Giving you the benefit of the doubt, if you're approaching the rear of two queues of traffic on a two lane dual carriageway, knowing what's ahead of them is irrelevant. The situation will change by the time that queue dissipates, and you will need to start to gather information again to decide what to do next.
If the queue is short enough for that not to apply, and you wish to overtake traffic in the left lane, then you join the queue of traffic that's overtaking. If you don't wish to overtake or you're not going to be able to do so in a reasonable time, then move to the left.
In my opinion, there is no advantage to what you propose, and you risk causing confusion to others.
Is that a fair answer, or am I missing your point?
I think that's a fair answer, makes sense. I've probably been a bit obsessive about gathering information without thinking about what I'm going to do with it.
To achieve the same thing I stay in lane 1 as long as I can, like you say you can see far better, and keep the front of my car in line with the rear of the car 'in front', who's in lane 2. Get the indicator on nice and early and it's only the idiots you'd prefer to have in front than behind that won't let you out. Works a treat for me and no chance of confusing anyone
Actual said:
Does it make more sense to use google to translate into Japanese an then translate back to English?
Nope, tried that and unfortunately it makes exactly the same amount of sense - i.e. fk all.JapaneseTranslation said:
I rarely see any discussion about using two lanes on a highway (ie positioning the car so that the white line is below the center of the car), other drivers are doing it It rarely happens. But it is prudent to think for me in certain circumstances what other people are thinking about.
Most of these situations are very fast. I do not intend to discuss anything further on this OP, but feel free!
I'd like to talk when I am behind. See the next paragraph on the 2 lane road - on a 2 lane road, there are various obvious risks by adding an additional lane But scenarios are unlikely to occur), traffic from the nose to the tail proceeds at roughly the same speed. This is the most common use of this technique because the elephant race happens frequently in a good part of A1. Whichever lane you choose, even if you hang after 10 seconds, it will not be displayed after 2 to 3 seconds from both lanes straddling the center. There is no need to explain why vision is important in this forum. That is that point.
The big disadvantage is to confuse other drivers and in some cases to antagonize it. This is the reason why I feel that trying to prevent someone from spending the past is why I do not do it. I need to be behind the queue. But in fact I am not convinced that this is not a big deal - I have never witnessed the negative impact of the front driver from this, but I may always confuse them I am always worried about not being.
So, what do you think of this technique? It seems I do not mind, but I have never been discussed. I have never seen it end essentially. In a high-speed scenario, it just straddles the lanes. It suggests to me that the obvious thing is missing. But perhaps it is something we have to think about doing more?
Most of these situations are very fast. I do not intend to discuss anything further on this OP, but feel free!
I'd like to talk when I am behind. See the next paragraph on the 2 lane road - on a 2 lane road, there are various obvious risks by adding an additional lane But scenarios are unlikely to occur), traffic from the nose to the tail proceeds at roughly the same speed. This is the most common use of this technique because the elephant race happens frequently in a good part of A1. Whichever lane you choose, even if you hang after 10 seconds, it will not be displayed after 2 to 3 seconds from both lanes straddling the center. There is no need to explain why vision is important in this forum. That is that point.
The big disadvantage is to confuse other drivers and in some cases to antagonize it. This is the reason why I feel that trying to prevent someone from spending the past is why I do not do it. I need to be behind the queue. But in fact I am not convinced that this is not a big deal - I have never witnessed the negative impact of the front driver from this, but I may always confuse them I am always worried about not being.
So, what do you think of this technique? It seems I do not mind, but I have never been discussed. I have never seen it end essentially. In a high-speed scenario, it just straddles the lanes. It suggests to me that the obvious thing is missing. But perhaps it is something we have to think about doing more?
Actual said:
Does it make more sense to use google to translate into Japanese an then translate back to English?
It seems that is not made the air in me, but even one time it had not been argued. As for me you have not observed at that ends essentially. With high-speed scenario the lane it just is ridden. That in me, has suggested that clear ones have been lacking. But, perhaps you must think that we probably will more do, it is something?Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff