Being forced to undertake!

AndyMac · #1 (**Post Link**) 07-09-11

I'm a bad bunny, after following a car at a respectable distance in the outside lane of a dual carriageway for 4 miles with absolutely nothing on the inside I got cross and undertook it. I know I'm bad, but really, 4 miles in the outside lane with nothing on the inside at all. Grr. I backed off up to 200+ yards behind first in case he/she felt I was too close, I eventually flashed it, nothing. No response. Their speed varied between 50-70mph.

I feel dirty!

I am bad.

But why do people do it?

#2 (**Post Link**) 07-09-11

If I ever need to undertake, I always give an absolute bootfull in case the gormless git decides to 'wander' across lanes. Mostly these people get out of the way.....probably because I'm up their tail, but it shouldn't take that much, they should use their mirrors.

NineOneSix · #3 (**Post Link**) 07-09-11

Don't feel bad, you are allowed to do it in these sort of circumstances.

I have to do it quite often these days

#4 (**Post Link**) 07-09-11

See my rant elsewhere entitled ****** of the week. Sometimes you're left with the option of undertaking or sitting behind some clown doing 55 in the middle lane for 300 miles. Do it as quick as you can, always being wary as MMM says, and get on with your day.

LadyBug · #5 (**Post Link**) 07-09-11

I use the M5 every day and it's full of middle-lane hogs. They think they're overtaking lorries, even when there isn't a lorry for a mile.

Two options - move into the outside lane and cut back across all three lanes (politcally correct and also high on the smug-ometer) OR undertake them.

On the basis that I have more poke than them (coz they're ALWAYS in a 1.2 Yaris) I usually go for the undertake. It also scores highly on the smugometer, but means that you don't compromise the people in the outside lane.

Clovis · #6 (**Post Link**) 07-09-11

Originally Posted by AndyMac

But why do people do it?

Indeed. It betokens an entirely different approach to life. What is going on in their head?

Sometimes a swift undertake is the only way to go.

1of1 · #7 (**Post Link**) 08-09-11

How many times after performing said undertake do they go 'oh yeah' & and pull over once you have passed?

- obviously paying no attention

zulu ferret · #8 (**Post Link**) 08-09-11

Overtaker, undertaker, mortician? OK that's what the are termed over there in the USofA.

Qualified embalmer maybe here? Take care, road deaths are massive often caused by impatience?

:

paintergirl · #9 (**Post Link**) 08-09-11

I undertake too, don't let it worry you.

However why these folk feel the need to hog the middle lane as if they were on rails, I've no idea. They cause holdups and accidents. Total idiots <for want of a more explicit and infraction worthy word.

tigertown · #10 (**Post Link**) 08-09-11

Originally Posted by paintergirl

I undertake too, don't let it worry you.

However why these folk feel the need to hog the middle lane as if they were on rails, I've no idea. They cause holdups and accidents. Total idiots <for want of a more explicit and infraction worthy word.

If they are middle lane hoggers, why dont you use the 'fast' lane to over take them????

zulu ferret · #11 (**Post Link**) 08-09-11

They are out there everywhere. Heaven forbid that we should ever condone such reckless, selfish, and extremely dangerous manoeuvre's when we are driving?

#12 (**Post Link**) 08-09-11

Originally Posted by NineOneSix

Don't feel bad, you are allowed to do it in these sort of circumstances.

I have to do it quite often these days

+1

tigertown · #13 (**Post Link**) 08-09-11

£60 quid fine isnt it? And so's tailgating? Both being the preserve of those total idiots who generally drive X5's or big Audi's.

Scum. I cant beleive there is websites and groups set up over Middle Lane Hoggers, have these people not got bigger issues in the world than that??

I know its controversial on a car forum but tailgating and undertaking and flashing your lights at someone sticking to the speed limit is the behaviour of an A.Hole.

alfacool · #14 (**Post Link**) 08-09-11

After you overtake a vehicle the rule is to then return to the inside lane.
I do this, but will then have to undertake cars because they havnt followed this rule.
And im talking about driving at normal speeds.
A friend of mine ( a lady ) stays in the middle lane all the time as she claims it safer.
For her maybe, but not for the rest of us who have to cross 2 lanes to overtake her.

tigertown · #15 (**Post Link**) 08-09-11

I still fail to fully understand if someone is 'hogging' the middle lane then overtake using the 'fast' lane. Why would you have to undertake them?

1of1 · #16 (**Post Link**) 08-09-11

The OP refers to a dual carriageway...

#17 (**Post Link**) 08-09-11

F'kin hell tiger town, do you have to look for an argument in every thread?

1of1 · #18 (**Post Link**) 08-09-11

Not every one - most though

#19 (**Post Link**) 08-09-11

Originally Posted by alfacool

After you overtake a vehicle the rule is to then return to the inside lane.
I do this, but will then have to undertake cars because they havnt followed this rule.
And im talking about driving at normal speeds.
A friend of mine ( a lady ) stays in the middle lane all the time as she claims it safer.
For her maybe, but not for the rest of us who have to cross 2 lanes to overtake her.

I know someone who shall remain nameless who frequently travels from Rochdale to the Trafford Centre on the M62/M60. She knows that when the M62 splits off the M60 and heads to Liverpool at Worsley, she needs to be in the middle lane so that's the lane she gets in when she gets on the M62 15 miles away. Once there, she stays there regardless.

DeaDLocK · #20 (**Post Link**) 08-09-11

Originally Posted by tigertown

I know its controversial on a car forum but tailgating and undertaking and flashing your lights at someone sticking to the speed limit is the behaviour of an A.Hole.

Never drive in Italy then

tigertown · #21 (**Post Link**) 08-09-11

Originally Posted by DeaDLocK

Never drive in Italy then

I have done, it was pretty nuts, mainly the lorry drivers and whats with Italian roads! Worse than this hell hole of a country.

tigertown · #22 (**Post Link**) 08-09-11

Originally Posted by V6Hughes

F'kin hell tiger town, do you have to look for an argument in every thread?

What do ya mean?!! WHAT!??

I dont look for an argument in every thread, do you??! jeez!!!!!

ra ra ra ra ra

arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhhhh

(tigertown picks up computer and chucks it through window)

LadyBug · #23 (**Post Link**) 09-09-11

I'll still undertake for choice, even on a 3-lane motorway. I figure that if I'm moving at 70mph and need to get round a 65mph car in the middle lane, it's generally safer to undertake her (it's usually a "her" - and yes, I am a bird) than to try to move out into 90mph traffic in the right hand lane.

I know I shouldn't (and shouldn't have to) - but what can you do?

I blame cruise control. People waft along in the middle lane half asleep.

EddieGTA · #24 (**Post Link**) 09-09-11

I was on the M2 last week and all of a sudden brake lights came on and everything slowed up to about 50. When I finally got past, I found the cause was a micra in the middle lane oblivious to the chaos in their rear mirror

steveisfrowning · #25 (**Post Link**) 10-09-11

I think it denotes a lack of confidence.....it strikes me it's like someone walking down the middle of a path because they're scared they might fall off the curb.

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