Massive gaps on the m50

superflyninja

Hi all,
I just have to vent about this one. Im running into the same problem every day now on the m50 and its gotten very common lately it seems.Basically cars in the middle and outer(furtherest right overtaking lane) lanes are leaving MASSIVE gaps between them and the car in front. Im not talking 4 cars lengths here, Im talking gaps that a couple of 18 wheelers and buses can easily nip in and out of. I had put it down to the drivers just not paying attention but often the drivers are braking in tandem with the driver far ahead and so purposefully maintaining the huge gap. Or if another car pulls into the gap the slow car slows even more to recreate the massive gap with the new car. With the traffic the way it is at the moment this can create big delays for me trying to get to work in the morning and often Im forced to undertake. I just dont understand why they do it? If they are nervous of speed etc then why not drive in the left lane?
I've had people dangerously cut me off on a merge trying to get onto the m50 ahead of me only for them to slow right down once they are on the motorway. Its a real puzzle but what is really odd I find is the sheer number of people doing it.

Atomic Pineapple

No driver training on Motorways in this country explains all poor driver behaviour on them. Most people don't educate themselves, only when they are forced to.

Rubberchikken

It could be down to people not knowing how to drive on a motorway, but only some. Maybe people don't want to go into the left lane of a two lane as they don't want the 'bother' of having to pull out and overtake.

Don't drive on motorways much, and I'd be the one who remains in the left most lane and leaves everyone room to overtake.

Tbh, prefer to leave a little early, take my time and figure I'll get there eventually.

Can see where you're coming from though, if using it to go to work every day, must be a pain to deal with some people.;)

BrianD3

It's been a while since I've been on the M50 but no doubt the lane discipline is just as bad as it has always been.

However as regards gaps, the recommended minimum safe gap in dry conditions may be larger than you think. 2 second rule at 100 km/h is a gap of about 182 feet. For comparison an artic is about 55-60 feet.

dar83

I had someone brake test me yesterday coming onto the M50 at Finglas, because I was approaching them fairly swiftly due to them them only driving at 80km/h... They brake tested me three times as I approached and when they saw I was still maintaining speed (90-95km/h) they threw an indicator on and drove across the hatch markings into the driving lane. Bizarre!

MetzgerMeister

Maybe it's due to the fact that there has been so many accidents on the M50 lately. People are giving themselves the best chance of survival in case the car ahead hits something or is hit.

superflyninja

well leaving a biiiiiiiiiig gap fine. but do it in the left lane.the traffic is so slow these days that Im rarely travelling at the limit.

Anan1

superflyninja wrote: »

well leaving a biiiiiiiiiig gap fine. but do it in the left lane.the traffic is so slow these days that Im rarely travelling at the limit.

What size of a gap are you talking about, and at what speed?

Caliden

Lane 1 and 2 for me. Don't even bother with lane 3 anymore, waste of time.
When my exit is next I'm straight into the exit lane and use lane 1 to overtake.

I pass roughly 100 cars and it's probably deemed undertaking but if I were to do it correctly it would take me much longer to get home.
It's the people who are determined to remain in lane 2 / lane 3 ALL the time that cause the issue.

ironclaw

I'm all for people leaving gaps if they are maintaining the flow of traffic. Single biggest problem in Ireland, in my opinion, is the lack of gaps especially at rush hour. If you have to brake hard because the driver in front of you is braking, then your probably driving too close. Brake, and the idiot behind will brake and then you have a ripple.

I suggest anyone to honestly go to a busy overpass and watch the traffic. And you'll see how driving too close pretty quickly forms a massive jam. Its possible to get from Cherrywood to Bray South (M50 / M11) at 5.30pm in rush hour traffic without braking (I'm serious) if you leave a decent gap and anticipate those who are driving far too close. The problem? People jumping into the right most because 'its faster' or merely because you left two car lengths in front of yourself. There are people who, no matter what, assume the further right you are the faster you will get somewhere. Its boggles the mind, especially in heavy traffic. And then they brake and the whole thing becomes start-stop.

corktina

I don't believe this thread! Most if not all the cars on the M50 drive a lot too close!