When I say I slow down , I mean by 2 or 3 mph , just enough to give the accelerating joining traffic a chance. That is of course assuming they are accelerating and not joining the motorway at 50mph Do it now ! Your a long time dead !!

Unfortunately, it's a sign if the times. As the population increases, with the younger generation only ever knowing a time when police are heard of but never seen, it has become the norm to drive poorly and almost guaranteed not to be caught. It never ceases to amaze me how we, as a nation, allowed the police to become reactionary rather than a deterrent when it comes to crime.

taztastic wrote:

If there is nothing behind you then you are at liberty to slow down, if there are cars or lorries behind you then you shouldn't slow down, its becoming the norm and causes more problems. Those coming up the slip road need educating on how to join, sadly you are right that people will accelerate to get in front.

If I'm on the inside lane approaching a slip road and can see vehicles coming down it, if the opportunitiy is available I'll pull into the middle lane to make things easier for them and safer for me. Lorries generally do this as a matter of course. In my experience vehicles joining the motorway aren't doing 70mph so even if they merge in safely in front of you, you are on them before they are up to speed so you still have to slow up or pull out anyway. 
Hung like Einstein, smart as a horse.

Post removed as it caused offence.

Last edited by taztastic on 3rd Jan 2017 7:03 pm. Edited 1 time in total

I wad questioned very hard on my driving test (over 40 years ago) about the "driving lane" and the TWO "overtaking lanes" on a motorway. Hammered it home to me.
I've always believed that all drivers should have additional instruction on motorway driving after passing normal driving test. In todays traffic I think this is a must. Might, just might, get rid of this bad habit.
I believe this is being considered now as part of instruction. Andy
Freelander2 HSE (59 Plate, MY10 spec)

Indeed, the 'forities' are looking allowing learners onto motorways with 'approved' instructors, stupid idea personally, I think 12 months after they pass, limited to A roads then take advanced instruction and pass a motorway test, if they fail that then they go back to provisional status.

+1 Andy
Freelander2 HSE (59 Plate, MY10 spec)

andyk159 wrote:

I wad questioned very hard on my driving test (over 40 years ago) about the "driving lane" and the TWO "overtaking lanes" on a motorway. Hammered it home to me.

In my yoof you just didn't enter the middle lane unless doing at least 75 and the outside lane unless at least 90, however all that went with the 70mph limit, now all lanes are blocked by those doing 50 to 65 mph as it's their right and the speedo says 70, so they all are speeding  my PC is slightly to the right of Genghis
2012 HSE SD4 In Orkney Grey now gone, best car ever.

Can I add smart motorways to the mix???

A good idea in principle by offering an additional lane (the hard shoulder for any lucky sole who hasn't been on one yet) when required but I cannot believe how many drivers ignore the giant red cross above the 'smart' lane and drive along the hard shoulder when it is quite clearly 'closed'.

Another rant is when I move over to the middle lane to allow traffic to join the motorway - the morons who join and decide to slip into lane 2 and lane 3 is less than 50 yards causing all 3 lanes of traffic to slow down!

You can ! I often see the sign that says
" use hard shoulder for J29 only " ,
well it reads that to me, but apparently translates as

" drive past queueing traffic on hard shoulder, then stop in lane 1 with your left indicator going because the 600 people behind you will not mind." .

In theory smart motorways are great , but they need smart people to use them. I'm amazed at the number of people I see on the M62 and M1 who don't realise that the gantry mounted speed cameras are linked to the speed displayed on the gantry ! 2009 GS Auto Zermatt Silver - Sold June 21 after 10 years of ownership

2016 Subaru Outback SE 2.0 diesel SE Premium Lineartronic Sold 2024 after 8 years and 80k miles . Best Car I ever owned !

2023 Toyota Hilux invincible X 2.8 Auto .

Not sure how true it is but I once heard that the gantry camera above the hard shoulder would catch every vehicle using it if the lane was closed. Initial offence would be a polite notice in the post and prolific offenders would be prosecuted.

I've seen the overhead gantry cameras flash quite often on the 62 near Leeds, but I've also seen a different type of camera ( yellow) mounted on the side of the gantry which appear to point down the hard shoulder so you might be spot on . 2009 GS Auto Zermatt Silver - Sold June 21 after 10 years of ownership

2016 Subaru Outback SE 2.0 diesel SE Premium Lineartronic Sold 2024 after 8 years and 80k miles . Best Car I ever owned !

2023 Toyota Hilux invincible X 2.8 Auto .

I swear I'm not a Lane Hogger Spotter, but I saw a simultaneous double undertake of a lane 3 hogger , and I couldn't let it pass (pun intended)

 
Hung like Einstein, smart as a horse.