ok,,, so what im hearing is, that there is no such thing as slow lane, middle lane and fast lane on a motorway

Question

and in fact i could and maybe should be driving at 70 in the inside lane? and therefore if i want to over take the car in front, i move to the middle lane and then move back again?

i havent driven on a motorway yet, im just asking because im interested from a question was asked on here earlier

Answer 1

There are only overtaking lanes on motorway.
Inside lane if you aren't overtaking.
Maybe worth investing a few quid for an instructor to just go with you first time. Motorways can be daunting to some people

Answer 2

Dear Puddy,
You are hearing quite right. Have a good read of the Highway Code, it will really be a lot safer for you than getting the uninformed opinions of some (apparently dangerous) people.

You MUST disregard all American contributions to road safety and law because their laws are often very different from ours. They really shouldn't be using this UK & Ireland forum. It could be dangerous if somebody acted on their advice.

Motorway lanes do not officially have names. They are simply lanes 1, 2 and 3. You should always use the left lane (#1) whenever you can, even at 70 MPH. But there are circumstances when weaving in and out may be hazardous in itself.

I usually use the "10 second" rule of thumb. That is, if I'm in lane 2 (middle lane of a 3 lane motorway, or RH lane of a 2 lane dual carriageway or motorway) then I count 10 seconds from the last vehicle which I have overtaken. If all is clear and safe then I pull back into Lane 1. The exception to this is if there is something slower in Lane 1 that I would be liable to come behind within a futher 3 seconds. After a few weeks of motorway driving you get to be good at estimating distances in terms of Time.

On that theme, when you start motorway driving try and keep at least 3 seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. You just select a fixed roadside feature such as a signpost or bridge and count how many seconds are between when the other vehicle passes it and you pass it. This is a good system because it maintains a safe distance regardless of your speed so it simplifies thinking. Try it and see.

Please do not be one of those people who sit in Lane 2 when they're not passing something. They're called CLODs (Centre Lane Only Drivers) or BMW drivers. Sometimes people sit there because they're afraid or nervous of lane changing. If you ever feel that nervous then motorways are not for you.

Answer 3

Or to use an old cb radio term
Lane 1 Granny Lane
Lane 2 Sandwich Lane
Lane 3 Suicide Lane
But seriously:
Its OK to travel at 70 in the nearside (left) lane provided there are no other vehicles in front going slower Trucks / Coaches etc, but usually car drivers tend to keep to the centre lane & outside lanes to keep out of the way the slower vehicles,and only dropping back to the left lane once past them -- if at all!! As other posters have suggested, book a few motorway lessons, preferably book a block lesson 3-4 hours. 1 hour on these roads is NOT enough time to get to grips with the sheer speed and volume of FAST moving traffic. Its ok travelling at speed, but you have got to be aware of what is going on all around you ,by frequent use of ALL your mirrors, not just the interior one The door mirrors are best placed to check the blind spots ie for vehicles part of the way along your car. A tip I use is to keep the drivers window open about 1 inch so you can 'hear' if a car is overtaking,in case you have missed it in your mirror, easily done!! When joining , try to match your speed to vehicles already on the road,they have 'right of way' Give way to the right

Answer 4

you are right. They are called lanes 1, 2 and 3

If the road is empty, you should be in the left hand lane - lane 1.

move into lane 2 if you are travelling faster than lane 1 cars/lorries and overtaking.

use lane 3 for overtaking only, returning to lane 1 as soon as it is safe to do so.

here are the words from the highway code:

Lane discipline
238: You should drive in the left-hand lane if the road ahead is clear. If you are overtaking a number of slower moving vehicles it may be safer to remain in the centre or outer lanes until the manoeuvre is completed rather than continually changing lanes. Return to the left-hand lane once you have overtaken all the vehicles or if you are delaying traffic behind you. Slow moving or speed restricted vehicles should always remain in the left-hand lane of the carriageway unless overtaking. You MUST NOT drive on the hard shoulder except in an emergency or if directed to do so by signs.

and here is the whole motorway section in the highway code for you to read:

http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/23.htm#227

Answer 5

Slow Lane

Answer 6

Lane 1 - Lane 2 - Lane 3
Nearside lane - centre lane - offside lane
Left lane - middle lane - right lane

Always stay in lane 1 / left lane / nearside lane unless overtaking - that is the law.

Anyone who refers to a 'slow lane', a 'cruising lane', a 'fast lane' or an 'overtaking lane' either doesn't have a driving licence or doesn't have a brain...

Answer 7

Hi Paddy, Ignore any posts on motorways from our American Cousins. Your question is fine and lane changes correct - don't forget to indicate and check mirror before manoeuvre though. If you are really worried or unsure. Pay for an extra hour tuition and ask the instructor for a run up your local motorway.

Answer 8

The LH lane is for 'normal' travel, the other 2 for overtaking - except where directed by road signs. For example where a motorway merges with another one or another major road (even a motorway) 'splits' from it. Another example is the M6 Toll in the Midlands vs the 'normal' M6.

Answer 9

there is the near side lane and tho others are overtaking lanes. you can do 70 on the near side lane and would only pull out to overtake if the vehicle in front is doing less than 70

Answer 10

Spot on, puddy. However, in practice it is often impracticable, or even impossible, to return to lane 1 between each vehicle in a slow-moving bunch, so it's sensible to pass the entire "clot" in one and then return to the left. It's a question of judgement.

Always default to the left if you can get there.