M50 Muppet

Berkel

<rant>

This morning I had the pleasure of driving along the M50 - now I am one of the few people in this country that believes that the 'overtaking' lane is for...er....overtaking. Now as it happened I was cruising along at 70 in the outside lane and came up past this guy who was sitting in the overtaking lane. Now I wasnt going to reduce my speed so kept on going, upon which I undertook the car who was in the overtaking lane. I made my way up further and came up behind another car whereupon I indicated and move back into the overtaking lane. Next thing I get a barrage of headlight flashes from the muppet who I had passed! Not one but multiple flashes. Even though I had loads of room, he seemed to take offence in my coming back into his lane...Maybe I 'invaded his space' or something. I flashed the indicators once and from the ballymount exit to past the tallaght exit, he switched his full beams on in some sort of futile attempt to annoy me.... if you are reading this dude, you need to get your headlights checked coz they are not very bright at all... Only when a car moved in between us did he switch them off....
Just wanted to get that off my chest... Its amazing what people turn into when put behind the wheel of a car! ...and I'm no angel either...

...ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
</rant>

Mr Magnolia

Do it all the time, it's the only way to make progress on motorways here, but I never take any risks when undertaking, i'll only do it after giving the person time to pull in and when it's safe to proceed.

fletch

Sparks400 wrote:

Do it all the time, it's the only way to make progress on motorways here, but I never take any risks when undertaking, i'll only do it after giving the person time to pull in and when it's safe to proceed.

Agree to everything you said.....
To the OP, that other driver seems like a complete twat....I'm sure he thought he was doin the speed limit (or close to) so nobody else could possibly overtake him. God with so many people ranting about people hogging the overtaking lane, you'd imagine that people might get the message and stop doing it

ballooba

[edit]Talking about coming upon people hogging the overtaking lane, not post road rage incidents.[/edit]

If this happens to me I give my full beams a flash so that the person will see me. If that doesn't work then I flick on full beams to really wake them up and generally they move over to the left.

Do ye think that's rude?

Ratchet

Berkel wrote:

<rant>
...... Next thing I get a barrage of headlight flashes from the muppet who I had passed! Not one but multiple flashes. ...


</rant>

this is the time when i pull the handbrake;)



it's a pain it always happens a lot on m50 and some people just love to hug the line

sharkman

ballooba wrote:

[edit]Talking about coming upon people hogging the overtaking lane, not post road rage incidents.[/edit]

If this happens to me I give my full beams a flash so that the person will see me. If that doesn't work then I flick on full beams to really wake them up and generally they move over to the left.

Do ye think that's rude?

No your right , people just dont know how to use roads properly . I use the M50 every day and was thinking of getting a roof mounted machine gun fitted , The headlights are no longer working on these idiots !

sandyg

At that stage i would hit the fog light and slow right down or tip the brakes just to p*ss him off and then take off again! Hate people that hog the outside lane when the inside lane is free.:mad:

Corben Dallas

fcuking idiot... these guys are morans its liek they're doing 70 and NOBODY is allowed overtake them. Its like they are their own private Garda.

These are the tyres of ejeets that drive in France on three lane Autoroutes, hogs the far outside lane and cant under stand why irate french ppl flash and horn them out of it when they eventually have to undertake. In France the overtaking lane is exactly that and its normally empty.

Plus should he have been doing (just under:D )100kph? 82mph????? if hes not even doing 95/100kph the guy should be kept off the road.

iregk

I think it boils down to education. A lot of irish drivers are stupid and think that two lanes are for driving in and the insite lane is the fast lane! This of course is untrue as thats the overtaking lane. Its all about ignorance.

What gets me is the lads that get a bee in their bonnet when you over take them. Happened to me on Saturday on the N81. Old white charade in front with 3 lads I came up behind them doing roughly 65 and over took them. As soon as I got in front of them he drove right up my a$$. Now when I say right up, you'd be lucky to squeeze an after eight in between the two cars. Why do people do this?

Idleater

ballooba wrote:

If this happens to me I give my full beams a flash so that the person will see me. If that doesn't work then I flick on full beams to really wake them up and generally they move over to the left.

Do ye think that's rude?

Flashing of lights is a polite reminder for them to move over into the space where they should be anyway in order to let other roadusers progress as they wish. It is common practice in many European countries: Germany, BeNeLux, France etc. In Italy I noticed that car drivers overtaking drive with their indicator on.

As regards undertaking, such a manouvre has been described to me as where you move from the right hand lane to the left hand lane, pass a vehicle and then return to the right hand lane.

If however, you move from the right hand lane and remain in the left hand land, making sufficient progress, while possibly slower moving cars are still in the right hand lane then I don't think you can be accused of undertaking. Or at the very least you have an excelent case for "making sufficient progress" according to many of the ROTR.

My opinion is that if there is room for an undertaking manouvre (as outlined by the OP and also by my example above) then there is room for the vehicle being undertaken in the left hand lane where they should be in the first place.

My favourite is where I approach a car (eg. on the M50) who is sitting in the overtaking lane with nobody else for miles. Quick flash of the lights and he kindly moves into the left. I pass and then he pulls back out into the overtaking lane as I move back to the left hand lane!

L.

CrowdedHouse

iregk wrote:

I think it boils down to education. A lot of irish drivers are stupid and think that two lanes are for driving in and the insite lane is the fast lane! This of course is untrue as thats the overtaking lane. Its all about ignorance.

I remember years ago - well actually probably decades ago - RTE used to have 'infomercials' about driving which were shown regularly.The catch-phrase of one sticks in my mind 'If you're a boreen driver-stick to your own boreen' LOL

IIRC they used to point out the finer points of the Rules of the Road and advise seat belt use etc,I remember the front passenger seat was called 'the death seat'

We could do with some updated ones for our times

fletch

If there is somebody hogging the overtaking lane...generally I move in behind them and put on my driver's side indicator to let them know that I wanna pass (a gently flash of your lights can be interpreted as road rage)...
If they don't move over after a while...I just undertake them

ambro25

nereid wrote:

In Italy I noticed that car drivers overtaking drive with their indicator on.

It's actually a legal requirement in France (to indicate when you're overtaking in outermost lane on a two-lane or three-lane motorway).

Undertaking? Only when I'm alone in the car, only after sitting behind the guy/gal for a good minute or so, and then drop a gear and as quickly as possible (I've had the auld "How dare you undertake me? I'll squeeze you out!" trick played to me too many times to take any chances these days).

Full beams afterwards? Fog lights (I've fitted a second bulb to the Impreza ) on, and then gear and clutch out, and then coast and generally be at least as much of a nuisance to the guy/gal as he/she is with their headlights. Only inexperienced fools toy with brakes/handbrakes :rolleyes:

Riding the boot of my car afterwards? Same as above, but inverted: gear+clutch out, wait til the guy/gal doesn't get the message and is inches behind, then hit the fogs smack in his/her face. Of course, if overtures to overtake me are made, weaving is always fairly satisfying...

God forbid contact (happened to me once in France, guy went as far as trying to push me :eek: ) = from aggressive/defensive driving courses I've had, instant weave aside, drop anchors, get level with car ass and play tag. I was in it for €120 of bodywork, but I'd hate to think how much the other guy ended up paying (he ditched) - I didn't stop, needless to say...

Seth Brundle

regarding tailgaiters, someone here before mentioned using the washer jets to create overspray and get them - seems to work and is less dangerous then creating the impression of sudden braking!

fletch

kbannon wrote:

regarding tailgaiters, someone here before mentioned using the washer jets to create overspray and get them - seems to work and is less dangerous then creating the impression of sudden braking!

Yeh I use that technique all the time now,.....very effective....or sometimes I use my left foot to apply the brakes but accelerate slightly to counteract the braking so the result is that I don't slow down at all, but the car behind sees my braking light and backs off...alot safer than brakin & being rear ended IMO

blastman

fletch wrote:

If there is somebody hogging the overtaking lane...generally I move in behind them and put on my driver's side indicator to let them know that I wanna pass (a gently flash of your lights can be interpreted as road rage)...
If they don't move over after a while...I just undertake them

I always find that typically Irish and tragic. Any flashing light or horn, it's a personal affront, despite the fact that you were dozing a second ago! :rolleyes:

fletch

blastman wrote:

I always find that typically Irish and tragic. Any flashing light or horn, it's a personal affront, despite the fact that you were dozing a second ago! :rolleyes:

Sorry I don't get ya?

Zynks

A couple of year ago I was on the M50 on my bike and it was raining quite heavily. I approached a car that was on the overtaking lane at about 60 mph and flashed briefly hoping he would move to the slow lane. Instead, he waited till I got closer and slammed the brakes. Fortunately my reflexes were in good order and I avoided crashing into him.

I was so upset with the event that I just passed him by the slow lane. I don't know what I would have done if he had stopped. That was an incredibly risky maneuver and I personally qualify it as attempted murder. Somebody who would do that should be banned from driving for life.

el tel

I once spoke to a guy who told me he carries a few little pieces of spark plug insulator material (broken from a used plug) which he throws out the sunroof when there is a car behind that is driving aggressively. I personally wouldn't advocate doing it but apparantly the material is very hard and it can put a crack into a window very easily just like when a stone is thrown up...

On a side note, has anyone noticed that when a car with only one working headlight is driving behind you, that one working light is bright as fú:eek:k?

Stephen

The one-eyed-monster brigade usually put their high beams on all the time to compensate for the lack of visibility caused by having only the one light. Twats.

The Muppet

Berkel wrote:

<rant>

This morning I had the pleasure of driving along the M50 - now I am one of the few people in this country that believes that the 'overtaking' lane is for...er....overtaking.
...ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
</rant>

No You are not. I hate that too .It's most annoying when get behind someone like that. Recently I saw a traffic cop on a motorbike on the M50 pulling up beside slow movers in the outside lane and directing them to move into the inside lane. Unfortunately that does not happen enough.

Idleater

blastman wrote:

I always find that typically Irish and tragic. Any flashing light or horn, it's a personal affront, despite the fact that you were dozing a second ago!

fletch wrote:

Sorry I don't get ya?

As far as I am aware, there is nothing actually illegal or against the ROTR in using the flashlights to indicate to someone that you feel that they are in the way.

Closest thing I found was the following in the Highway Code:

90: Flashing headlights. Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights in an attempt to intimidate other road users.

Used from a suitable distance (ie not on someones rear bumper) it is not a personal attack, it is just a polite suggestion to get out of the way and obey the rules of the road.

L.

MrPudding

In the UK there are penelty point for flashing you lights in an aggressive manner. How they decide what is aggresive and what is not I do not know.

I use the right indicator method myself. It is largely successful and unoffensive.

MrP

saobh_ie

Yeah, the best approach to get people to move over on the motorways is right indicator on as you approach. It they don't move drop in behind them, leaving enough space and wait a moment. They usually get the message if they're any good. If they don't see it they probably haven't see you at all so go for the undertake.

Can't be helped, they're dawdling in the offside lane, preventing you from overtaking so you move into the near side and resume travelling at the speed limit. You find yourself slowly gaining on them, putting you near their blind spot, you already know that they are a potential hazard due to their poor observations so you absolutely floor it to get past a quickly and safely as possible. And remain in that lane until you need to over take again.

A lot of drivers do take offence to getting flashed at to move over. They’re absolute demons.

Idleater

MrPudding wrote:

In the UK there are penelty point for flashing you lights in an aggressive manner. How they decide what is aggresive and what is not I do not know.

I use the right indicator method myself. It is largely successful and unoffensive.

MrP

The only problem that I can see as far as using the right indicator is that the moron in front of you hogging the lane is going to look in their mirrors and see you with your indicator on and think "look at that muppet - he has left his indicator on"!!!

As I mainly drive on the motorbike the indicator trick does not work to well for me. Flashing the lights is only taken as offence because they realise they are in the wrong place but decide through what little their brain does, that they are morally superior to you and that you need to be taught a lesson in speed control.

Passed about 300m of cars queued in the "fast lane" in their minds on the way home. All doing 90 and if I am able to do 120, then there *is* room to drive in the "slow lane".

Nowadays "fast lanes" are for chumps, the "slow lane" is where it's at...

L.

Abelloid

N25 Waterford to Cork road- every morning bumper to bumper in the fast lane, nobody in the slow lane, guess where I drive? :rolleyes:

Johnny Storm

CrowdedHouse wrote:

I remember years ago - well actually probably decades ago - RTE used to have 'infomercials' about driving which were shown regularly.The catch-phrase of one sticks in my mind 'If you're a boreen driver-stick to your own boreen' LOL

IIRC they used to point out the finer points of the Rules of the Road and advise seat belt use etc,I remember the front passenger seat was called 'the death seat'

We could do with some updated ones for our times

100% agree

BrianD

This morning I had the pleasure of driving along the M50 - now I am one of the few people in this country that believes that the 'overtaking' lane is for...er....overtaking. Now as it happened I was cruising along at 70 in the outside lane and came up past this guy who was sitting in the overtaking lane.

Was he not doing exactly the same as you i.e using the 'overtaking lane' as a 'fast lane'? Having said that it is ridiculous the number of people who impose a speed limit by their driving in the overtaking lane. The NRA have legitimised this dangerous dangerous practice with their new signage on the southern leg of the M50. Given that the Government have given up on safety education it would be great if the AA Roadwatch crowd might give little safety announcements/reminders from time to time. Just like they tell people to have their lights on dipped during fog they might say keep left unless overtaking.

dil999

Berkel wrote:

<rant>

This morning I had the pleasure of driving along the M50 - now I am one of the few people in this country that believes that the 'overtaking' lane is for...er....overtaking. Now as it happened I was cruising along at 70 in the outside lane and came up past this guy who was sitting in the overtaking lane. Now I wasnt going to reduce my speed so kept on going, upon which I undertook the car who was in the overtaking lane. I made my way up further and came up behind another car whereupon I indicated and move back into the overtaking lane. Next thing I get a barrage of headlight flashes from the muppet who I had passed! Not one but multiple flashes. Even though I had loads of room, he seemed to take offence in my coming back into his lane...Maybe I 'invaded his space' or something. I flashed the indicators once and from the ballymount exit to past the tallaght exit, he switched his full beams on in some sort of futile attempt to annoy me.... if you are reading this dude, you need to get your headlights checked coz they are not very bright at all... Only when a car moved in between us did he switch them off....
Just wanted to get that off my chest... Its amazing what people turn into when put behind the wheel of a car! ...and I'm no angel either...

...ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
</rant>

How much is your insurance ?

Berkel

Er.... why you asking?

AMurphy

Berkel wrote:

<rant>

..... Now as it happened I was cruising along at 70 in the outside lane and came up past this guy who was sitting in the overtaking lane. Now I wasnt going to reduce my speed so kept on going, upon which I undertook the car who was in the overtaking lane. .......
Just wanted to get that off my chest... Its amazing what people turn into when put behind the wheel of a car! ...and I'm no angel either...

...ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
</rant>

Don't worry about it, just dip the mirrors, wave and carry one. Good work.

milltown

This right lane hogging is a vicious circle. Lane discipline in this country has been so bad for so long that once folks get into the right hand lane they daren't leave it again, even if they're not really in much of a rush.

"Sure what if I'm making steady progress at 56mph, that's when my car is most economical, I read it in a magazine, then I come up behind a truck that's limited to 55mph (hah!). The fast lane will be full of people like me who won't let me in."

My opinion on the headlight flashing: It's only acceptable after you've given them plenty of time to notice you and move aside. If I'm in the fast lane I'm generally doing as close to just over the speed limit as conditions allow and because it's easier and safer than leapfrogging in and out of the busy/slow left hand lane. If I see you coming, and I can, I'll move out of your way. If I see you bearing down on me with your headlights set to "strobe" however, I will back off, probably to exactly the same speed as the guy on my left, and hold you there for a while.

Regarding the terminology, though, can anybody point me to where it says that the outside lane on our two lane motorways are "overtaking" lanes? I thought we just had slow and fast lanes and that a third, overtaking lane was only to be found in the developed world.

jd

milltown wrote:

Regarding the terminology, though, can anybody point me to where it says that the outside lane on our two lane motorways are "overtaking" lanes? I thought we just had slow and fast lanes and that a third, overtaking lane was only to be found in the developed world.

Rules of the Road..

Seth Brundle

nereid wrote:

My favourite is where I approach a car (eg. on the M50) who is sitting in the overtaking lane with nobody else for miles. Quick flash of the lights and he kindly moves into the left. I pass and then he pulls back out into the overtaking lane as I move back to the left hand lane!

As I would be approaching them whilst in the driving/left hand lane, I would just continue on past them without moving into the overtaking lane, waiting for them to move left and then pass only to move back myself into the driving lane. I don't regard this as undertaking.
You make it sound like you are also in the overtaking lane on a quiet dual carriageway.

delly

Before i moved to Drogheda i would have only used the motorway on the odd occassion, however now that i use the M1 everyday, i'm disgusted at the amount of righthand lane hogging. Its not uncommon to have to drive on the inside lane which will be clear for several km's while the 'overtaking' lane is full.

I remember reading an article that said a large percentage of British motorways were wasted space because of drivers refusal to use inside lanes.

Idleater

kbannon wrote:

As I would be approaching them whilst in the driving/left hand lane, I would just continue on past them without moving into the overtaking lane, waiting for them to move left and then pass only to move back myself into the driving lane. I don't regard this as undertaking.
You make it sound like you are also in the overtaking lane on a quiet dual carriageway.

You are quite correct. On this occasion I purposly moved into the overtaking lane (in good time) as I was approaching the said lane hogger. I did this to empahsize the fact that I was attempting to complete a safer/legal overtaking manouver (go around the outside of him) rather than go with the express intention of undertaking him.
What prooves my point is that the guy had indeed noticed me and kindly moved out of the overtaking lane as I neared him to let me past. After completing the manouvre, I moved left into the normal lane while at the same time he moved right, into the overtaking lane.

milltown wrote:

If I see you coming, and I can, I'll move out of your way. If I see you bearing down on me with your headlights set to "strobe" however, I will back off, probably to exactly the same speed as the guy on my left, and hold you there for a while.

Which makes you just as bad as the person that the OP and yourself were complaining about. If you are going to do the same speed as the driver to your left, then you are not overtaking and should NOT be in the overtaking lane. Get out of the way and let those of us who can make progress (Motorbikes in my case) do so.

L.

mathie

Corben Dallas wrote:

Plus should he have been doing (just under:D )100kph? 82mph????? if hes not even doing 95/100kph the guy should be kept off the road.

100 kmph = 82 mph?!?!
What the?
M

milltown

nereid wrote:

Which makes you just as bad as the person that the OP and yourself were complaining about. If you are going to do the same speed as the driver to your left, then you are not overtaking and should NOT be in the overtaking lane. Get out of the way and let those of us who can make progress (Motorbikes in my case) do so.

L.

Actually, as a former biker, I find myself going above and beyond the call of duty to speed bikers on their way. I even have herself trained to watch the mirrors and leave plenty of room for filtering bikes. That in itself was an achievement!

Wrt your other point, if I am doing 120+ and passing slower moving traffic in the left lane I AM overtaking. If somebody coming up behind feels he is perfectly safe at a ton plus (in old money) even though the road is busy, which it must be if I'm not in the left lane, I for one am not going to take evasive action to get out of the pr1ck's way.

Bartonprince

Berkel wrote:

<rant>

This morning I had the pleasure of driving along the M50 - now I am one of the few people in this country that believes that the 'overtaking' lane is for...er....overtaking. Now as it happened I was cruising along at 70 in the outside lane and came up past this guy who was sitting in the overtaking lane. Now I wasnt going to reduce my speed so kept on going, upon which I undertook the car who was in the overtaking lane. I made my way up further and came up behind another car whereupon I indicated and move back into the overtaking lane. Next thing I get a barrage of headlight flashes from the muppet who I had passed! Not one but multiple flashes. Even though I had loads of room, he seemed to take offence in my coming back into his lane...Maybe I 'invaded his space' or something. I flashed the indicators once and from the ballymount exit to past the tallaght exit, he switched his full beams on in some sort of futile attempt to annoy me.... if you are reading this dude, you need to get your headlights checked coz they are not very bright at all... Only when a car moved in between us did he switch them off....
Just wanted to get that off my chest... Its amazing what people turn into when put behind the wheel of a car! ...and I'm no angel either...

...ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
</rant>

You're right. You are a muppet ;-D

ambro25

BartonPrince = big ugly green humanoid

Berkel

Bartonprince .... no need for that now. There's always sone smartarse isnt there.... :eek:

Bartonprince

Berkel wrote:

Bartonprince .... no need for that now. There's always sone smartarse isnt there.... :eek:

ha ha. Just kidding bud, I'm only learning to drive so have no clue really. I won't go so slow that everyone has to overttake me. But i won't go rocketing up the M50 either. Bit scared of going fast!!

mike65

JustinOval wrote:

N25 Waterford to Cork road- every morning bumper to bumper in the fast lane, nobody in the slow lane, guess where I drive? :rolleyes:

Towards Cork on the dual carraigway from Glanmire?

Mike.

fletch

nereid wrote:

What prooves my point is that the guy had indeed noticed me and kindly moved out of the overtaking lane as I neared him to let me past. After completing the manouvre, I moved left into the normal lane while at the same time he moved right, into the overtaking lane.

This happens me all the time too! You would imagine the idiot that was hogging the outside lane would realise after you overtaking him and moving into the left lane that he should do the same

el tel

milltown wrote:

Wrt your other point, if I am doing 120+ and passing slower moving traffic in the left lane I AM overtaking. If somebody coming up behind feels he is perfectly safe at a ton plus (in old money) even though the road is busy, which it must be if I'm not in the left lane, I for one am not going to take evasive action to get out of the pr1ck's way.

As soon as it's safe, you should move over.
Just like someone doing 60, 100 or 120, you are in the overtaking lane and are in someone's way.

Abelloid

mike65 wrote:

Towards Cork on the dual carraigway from Glanmire?

Mike.

Opposite direction, from Cobh cross in.

saobh_ie

nereid wrote:

As I mainly drive on the motorbike the indicator trick does not work to well for me.
L.

Disagree, if you stay center of your lane it probaly will go un noticed but if you move from side to side in your lane, alter your speed behind them, they do eventually notice you. Whether they move over or not is another bowl of fish alltoghter. You'll get everything from speed camera braking, ignorance, window washer fluid, cigarettes or left indicator and a clear road. Always wave or nod when they do get over.

As this topic however is about the M50... in the majority of cases your better off going invisible and sneaking around going for the filter when you get the chance.

milltown wrote:

I find myself going above and beyond the call of duty to speed bikers on their way. I even have herself trained to watch the mirrors and leave plenty of room for filtering bikes.

Thanks for that. =] It's people like you that keep us from loosing the plot and pulling people out through thier windows and stomping them to bits with a huge monster boots. =]

dil999

Berkel wrote:

Er.... why you asking?

Undertaking at 70 mph is a very dangerous and illegal manouver. You put youself in the other driver's blindspot, just at a time he is very likely to pull in ( which is in fact what you want him to do :rolleyes:) . People sauntering along in the fast lane is a bit annoying, but absolutely no excuse for dangerous driving.

People who complain over the high price of insurance for young drivers, particularly males. (I have no idea whether you are either) would learn a lot from reading this thread: braking in front of drivers at 70mph, getting close enough to spray them with the washer (wtf :rolleyes: ), chucking stuff out the sunroof (wtf x2:eek: )

Calm down. The purpose of driving is to get from A to B as safely as possible. If a guy was walking slowly in front of you on the path, you wouldn't dash aound him like a lunatic, spit at him if he said something to you, stop suddendly to intimidate him, throw stones at him? Why would you do it in a car?

Seth Brundle

milltown wrote:

Wrt your other point, if I am doing 120+ and passing slower moving traffic in the left lane I AM overtaking. If somebody coming up behind feels he is perfectly safe at a ton plus (in old money) even though the road is busy, which it must be if I'm not in the left lane, I for one am not going to take evasive action to get out of the pr1ck's way.

but do you slow down and hold up traffic just to prove a point?