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Is speeding on the motorway just as selfish as lane hogging?

I am not a frequent motorway driver, but when I use the motorway system I endeavour to keep to the leftmost lane whenever possible. Sometimes this is not practical because as I catch up with slower vehicles, usually a lorry, I have to pull out in order to pass. I am often prevented from doing this because of vehicles approaching from behind that are clearly exceeding the speed limit. Consequently I have to wait for them to pass before I can overtake. Meanwhile a queue of vehicles has formed behind me and as the speeding vehicle passes the queue peels of from the back and the rest have to slow down until it is their turn to pass, by which time the lead vehicle behind the slow vehicle is matching its speed and then has to take even longer to pass.

I do not advocate hogging the centre lane but can understand why some people do it. I believe that if I am driving at the speed limit on a motorway, 70 mph last time I looked, then the only thing catching me should be flashing blue lights. (Unmarked police vehicles are a possible exception, but how many are there of those?). On a two lane carriageway it is often the case that having pulled out to overtake it is not worth pulling in because another slower vehicle is ahead and if I pull in I know I won’t be able to get out again until all the speeding motorists behind me have gone by first, thus allowing them to make their journey shorter at the expense of mine, and nobody should be allowed to undertake if this means breaking the speed limit and therefore the law, or are you advocating this should happen anyway?

Often when passing a lane hogger I look across at the driver and some of them are driving as if terrified, leaning forward and staring like a rabbit caught in headlights. Clearly there is a case for some sort of motorway tuition. Most lane hoggers are selfish, but so too are speeding motorists. Doubtless you will disagree with all I have said, but this is my honest opinion.

Asked on 5 January 2013 by MO, Birchington

Answered by Honest John
I did 300 miles this morning an am happy to report some exemplary behaviour by drivers, some even anticipating my closing speed on the vehicle in front. Not all, but enough to convince me that British drivers habits are starting to change and that they are generally becoming more thoughtful and considerate. I've long since stopped getting annoyed at having to knock it out of 70mph cruise to let an overtaking car past before I can come out to pass a truck.
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