Been working Sven the Volvo hard on the M25 last few weeks and have been surprised and exasperated by some of the driving behaviour.

Seems on the M25 there are some unwritten or local rules about lane behaviour, doesn't seem to matter which lane you are in you just plough ahead, overtaking anything in outer lanes.

Also folks seem quite happy when the M25 is 4 or 5 lanes, to get out into the next to outside lane and just sit there (and not even at 70), even when it is completely clear on the inner lanes (and that is when they go out there!)

Finally, mid lane drifters. When the motorway is clear enough I hit Cruise at just under 70. This usually means overtaking people who are not on Cruise going up hills, who then overtake me again and slow down again, in front of me, meaning I then catch them again, and they then speed up again. A right cretin in a Jag tonight! Many drivers just undertake them...

Any rules written or otherwise, or local code of conduct I should know about..... .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

If you’re too close for missiles, switch to guns!

Actually Joe I totally agree with all you’ve said. There is a large part of the driving population who are total twunts most of the time. I put it down to poor instruction by BSM and the like.

The worst new invention is adaptable cruise control. You see someone in your mirror coming up in your outside lane and gauge when you will have to pull out to Overtake stg in your own lane and then they either slow down alongside you (penning you in at the same time) due to some one up ahead appearing on their”radar”, causing you to brake and then a chain of brackers forms behind you.

Over here , the majority of drivers see lanes and white lines ( even traffic lights ) as general guides if not just suggestions , certainly not something that needs much care taken of. Middle lane hogs can often cut across the inside lane at the last second to enter a service area or exit. Roundabouts are only taken using the 'racing line' !!! I travel from Dublin to Cork regularly and its 95 % motorway. I stick mine in cruise at 75ish and wonder at cars that pass me and head off into the distance only for 10-20 mins later for me to pass them and they pass me again sometime later !!!! Amazing. 2015 4.4 AB
GSXR 1000 K5
R1 1998

Unfortunately this kind of behaviour only used to be evident at holiday times! Now a days the twunts seem to have taken over the driving world all year round!!!

Driving these days “in this country at least” seems to very quickly boil my pi55!!! Europe however is a different matter! Worth going on a driving holiday just to fall in love with the FF and driving all over again... 🤬🤬🤬

I commute on the M25/M1 everyday and like you am amazed (I.e. appalled) at the standard of driving. Almost without fail, outrageous undetakes, swerving in and out of the inside lanes and cutting into gaps that are barely there! What a shame that the myriad of speed cameras are unable to pick up these truly dangerous safety issues, rather than the poor sod who creeps over the speed limit!

Totally agree Nick, travel round M25 every week. Only yesterday had a Polish van regularly diving across 3 lanes and back trying to "make progress" and then a little red corsa that I eased out infront of (with plenty of space) as I was in the middle lane letting cars overtake but a lorry pulled out ahead, decided to take umbrage so dived passed me on the inside and squeezed back in fromt with about 18" clearance

Whilst I am no slow coach on the motorways I have an very defensive driving style as it is the only way to stay in one piece.

The number of times I see fast lane traffic slowing 3-400 yds ahead and start braking to slow the traffic down behind me, only to see cars ahead not realise the traffic infront of them is slowing and suddenly do emergency braking manouveres

And don't even get me started on the people who just sit in lanes 2, 3 or 4 doing 60 oblivious to anyone trying to get past

To be honest, I will undertake in those situations but in a "sensible" manner.

On the north side clockwise (St Albans etc) I have also worked out it is often quicker to be in lane 1 with the trucks as these move at a slow but consistent speed rather than continuous stop start

Cheers,

Paul. 2011 TDV8 AB
2006 TD6 AB (Gone to Wales)

dolph34 wrote:

Over here , the majority of drivers see lanes and white lines ( even traffic lights ) as general guides if not just suggestions , certainly not something that needs much care taken of. Middle lane hogs can often cut across the inside lane at the last second to enter a service area or exit. Roundabouts are only taken using the 'racing line' !!! I travel from Dublin to Cork regularly and its 95 % motorway. I stick mine in cruise at 75ish and wonder at cars that pass me and head off into the distance only for 10-20 mins later for me to pass them and they pass me again sometime later !!!! Amazing.

I’ve only ever driven through Italy in a Ferrari! They all seamed OK to me sir 😏

As for the Greeks! That’s where I am this week and yep, chaos!!! Chaos in a rental 😅

agree with craig...on my road trip to venice i found the italians well behaved on the autostradas....

i find driving in europe pleasant and relaxing with their well kept roads and good lane discipline....get off the eurotrain and its white knuckle all the way home.. ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
.

Try Malta

Seriously, they should make anyone who wants to drive (on a motorway if not at all), take a more advanced test and regularly.

I have captured a few stipid ID 10 T's on my dash cams and often fire the footage off to the old bill to progress. Its the only thing that keeps me sane when I see such bad driving.....

Ian. Current: RR L322 2010
Past: RR L405 2017, RR L322 2012, 2008 & 2004, 2018 D5, 2016 Defender, 2011 D4, a few Disco2s, P38, RR Classic, couple of Disco1's, SIII SWB

Some good advice from mm289 about lane choice on motorways

As soon as I see heavy traffic I head for lane 1, or 2 on a 4 laner, because they tend to keep moving.

Have to say, the variable speed limit thing does help, and most drivers, except for the cretins in the outside lane, take notice, and this keep the traffic moving.


Sven, by the way, (given I had no real history on the engine or gearbox) has behaved impeccably, just chundles along at 70 in cruise at 2250 rpm, eats the miles without any fuss. .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

Quote:

the Italians only drive in the outside lane, 1cm from your bumper at Mach 3. And that's in a Fiat 500.

had that several times recently and lost count the number of times I was cut up on the autostradas - Italian driving certainly was an experience You can paypal direct using - www.paypal.me/duckworthparts
Please supply your full name address when sending a paypal payment.
https://www.facebook.com/duckworthparts
www.duckworthparts.co.uk
My Direct Line: 01673 849873
Email: robin.hall@duckworth.co.uk
Supplier of Genuine Land Rover & Jaguar Parts For All Models

mm289 wrote:

I have also worked out it is often quicker to be in lane 1 with the trucks as these move at a slow but consistent speed rather than continuous stop start

I plod along at 52mph (thats it with the HGV's I drive) in lane one, gently passing everyone else in the other lanes and being amused the times I pass the lane hoppers stationary in the other lanes time after time.
The adaptive cruise is actually quite handy when it's busy.

As long as the air-con and radio works then I just make the most of it. The scenery is not much (well, some inside the cars is*) but I'm getting paid for it & someone else is picking up the cost of the diesel & the repairs.

* so is some of the action.  2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6

M27 is the same on my daily commute for last 16 years (apart from the 50mph at the moment).
The 4 into 3 lanes nr Fareham coming eastbound is a hoot to watch as you plod along in lane 1 or 2 (overtaking I might add for latter) and watch the cretins fight it out. Utter in Audi/BMW/Clancy Docwra vans etc
I fitted a dashcam about 8 years ago and it gives me that peace of mind Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
--------------------------------------------------

If you think it`s bad here try driving in Australia it`s normal to undertake and even legal in certain circumstances eyes up your backside there? Here you are accused of dangerous driving, points, fine, stripped of all assets, put on a register, community service. and anything else that can be thrown at you.