Motorways

We have these wonderful things in this country, they are called motorways, and they allow traffic to travel at highers speeds than on normal roads and are usually the quickest way of travelling long distances. They have them in other countries too, and go by the names of freeways, autobahns, snelweg, autostrada to name but a few, but the principles are the same.

Anyway, motorways, like all roads, have rules (you can find them in the Highway Code), and the principle is that if you break the rules, then you pay the price, which  often in this country (unless you do something really stupid and serious) is a fine and points on your licence. But as we all know, the police are often overstretched and so some of the lesser rules shall we say, often get ignored.....by drivers and the police when it comes to enforcement.

So, I drive on the motorway to work every day, and home again. In fact, the majority of my 50 mile plus round trip is on the M40. Now rule 264 explains that we should all be driving in the inside lane unless overtaking a slower moving vehicle. And rule 265 explains that certain vehicles are not generally allowed in the outside (right hand) lane when then road has three or more lanes.

Lane discipline

264

You should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear. If you are overtaking a number of slower-moving vehicles, you should return to the left-hand lane as soon as you are safely past. 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 the police, HA traffic officers in uniform or by signs.
265

The right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes MUST NOT be used (except in prescribed circumstances) if you are driving

• any vehicle drawing a trailer
• a goods vehicle with a maximum laden weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes, which is required to be fitted with a speed limiter
• a goods vehicle with a maximum laden weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes
• a passenger vehicle with a maximum laden weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes constructed or adapted to carry more than eight seated passengers in addition to the driver
• a passenger vehicle with a maximum laden weight not exceeding 7.5 tonnes which is constructed or adapted to carry more than eight seated passengers in addition to the driver, which is required to be fitted with a speed limiter

All I can say is 'yeah right'!!! Many a journey I spend in the inside (left hand) lane speeding past the middle lane hoggers going more slowly that I am. And while lorry and coach drivers follow the rules, some of those long wheel base big vans fall into point two and they are often then ones up your arse in the outside lane doing 90 plus!