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It seems that lane discipline on the motorways is becoming a thing of the past. I see many examples of drivers overtaking on the inside lanes. Is it time to adopt the USA's system and allow passing slower vehicles in any lane?
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as long as the middle-lane-owner's-club exists, I'll keep doing it! (legally, here)
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Having driven on American freeways you can\'t really compare the two. For a start everybody seems to drive at roughly the same speed while the differences in pace over here are dramatic. People also seem to be more accepting of others lane changes in the states. Besides undertaking on the freeway isn\'t legal but you can pass if you\'re not changing lane.
As annoying as middle lane hoggers are my biggest beef is with the sub-set that like to move into your blind spot while your in lane one then stay there forcing you to brake behind the next lorry or worse have cars trying to enter the motorway in the same position as your car at junctions
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Agree with everything you say OP.
On US freeway, get in lane, match speed of traffic around you & set cruise control. Less stress, less bunching, easier life......not exactly exciting but better chance of arriving with mind & body intact (if you survive the suicide on/off ramps that is!)
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Agree with everything you say OP. On US freeway, get in lane, match speed of traffic around you & set cruise control. Less stress, less bunching, easier life......not exactly exciting but better chance of arriving with mind & body intact (if you survive the suicide on/off ramps that is!)
Cruise control should be standard on all cars (as it is on the new 2004 model Mondeos now) it's the people that drive at varying speeds all the time that cause problems. As mentioned above in another reply, the ones that drive up behind you catching up then move out to overtake and slow down to the same speed as you when the catch you up causing you to either slow down or pull out in front of them as you are catching up with traffic. I usually give them about a minute to get past and if they are still there I accelerate and pull out.
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"Is it time to adopt the USA's system and allow passing slower vehicles in any lane?"
Actually it is illegal to undertake(pass on the right) in the USA. That said it is a law that is widely ignored.
There has been considerable debate in the Backroom on the merits & demerits of undertaking. There is generally not a problem on the wide open freeways. However on congested multi-lane highways it can be a nightmare with everyone jockeying to gain a car space or two.
The most common problem occurs when several cars are queuing in the outside lane to pass a slower vehicle. Cars - often pick-ups - slide up the inside and force their way into non existent gaps; many of these are on cruise control until the last moment. The cars in the queue close up to a couple of feet between them to prevent this happening; tailgating the like of which you rarely see in UK. If a gap even a quarter the safe distance is left, you will be undertaken and the gap filled.
For all the sedate driving style in the USA it is pertinent to point out that their accidents/injuries/deaths are higher than the UK by any way the statistics are examined - population, per mile driven etc etc.
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