Middle Lane..

[Technonotice]

When driving in really wet weather I tend to use the middle lane(quiet motorway permitting) to avoid the standing water in the grooves that HGV's create. I do move over if I see another driver approaching behind me but I think its a lot safer if your driving a crap car.

Is this acceptable or am I a middle lane hog?

cheers

[Holst]

I think your only a hog if you dont look in your mirrors and dont move over.

I do exactly the same thing in heavy rain.

[brisel]

Given your explanation, I'd say you were fine using the middle lane as long as you moved over for faster traffic. The tramlines/ruts created by HGVs can be very unpleasant for cars with a narrower track width, especially in lane-shifting roadworks.

I wonder if tramlines are used as the excuse for lane 1 phobia by true Middle Lane Owners Club members...

[alphadog]

You still got the middle lane fraternity in the days when there was less traffic and better maintained, less rutted motorways.

I think the golden rule is 'do not inconvenience anybody' which you are upholding by checking your mirrors and moving over so I think you are in the right.

[Bing o]

brisel said:

I wonder if tramlines are used as the excuse for lane 1 phobia by true Middle Lane Owners Club members...

The MLM I play golf with calls L1 the loser lane.

[brisel]

Does he/she lose at golf???

[henrycrun]

So long as you signal well before moving over. If not you risk being undertaken.....

[deeps]

henrycrun said:

So long as you signal well before moving over. If not you risk being undertaken.....

No need to signal when moving over, if you're in the middle lane in the given scenario it should be because there's nothing around, and you should spot anything approaching from behind when it's half a mile away, and move over well in advance of it being anywhere near you.

I travel at a fair rate of knots on motorways, and if anything approaches from behind it has to be moving some. I'll spot it at least half a mile behind, ease off, shift over a lane and let it catch up and pass. Occasionally it will be BiB, especially more likely if it has Xenon HID headlamps.

Edited by deeps on Monday 23 February 01:28

[Poledriver]

brisel said:

Does he/she lose at golf???

Cue "Bad driver" jokes!

[Poledriver]

deeps said:

henrycrun said:

So long as you signal well before moving over. If not you risk being undertaken.....

No need to signal when moving over, if you're in the middle lane in the given scenario it should be because there's nothing around, and you should spot anything approaching from behind when it's half a mile away, and move over well in advance of it being anywhere near you.

I travel at a fair rate of knots on motorways, and if anything approaches from behind it has to be moving some. I'll spot it at least half a mile behind, ease off, shift over a lane and let it catch up and pass. Occasionally it will be BiB, especially more likely if it has Xenon HID headlamps.

Edited by deeps on Monday 23 February 01:28

I find it quite unbelievable how many people hog the outer lanes, on a near empty motorway at above the ACPO guideline speeds and don't pull over or slow down when a car is approaching them at a higher speed. Obviously not paying attention and inviting a pull from BiB!

Edited by Poledriver on Monday 23 February 01:39

[Red Kite]

deeps said:

henrycrun said:

So long as you signal well before moving over. If not you risk being undertaken.....

No need to signal when moving over, if you're in the middle lane in the given scenario it should be because there's nothing around, and you should spot anything approaching from behind when it's half a mile away, and move over well in advance of it being anywhere near you.

I travel at a fair rate of knots on motorways, and if anything approaches from behind it has to be moving some. I'll spot it at least half a mile behind, ease off, shift over a lane and let it catch up and pass. Occasionally it will be BiB, especially more likely if it has Xenon HID headlamps.

Edited by deeps on Monday 23 February 01:28

Had a bit of a ding-dong with Flemke over that one, once. He suggested nobody (no matter how arrogant I am) could possibly have such failsafe rear view observation skills.