Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Your default lane for driving on M50 or other 3 lane road

13

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,274 ✭✭✭twin_beacon


    default to the left most lane where possible.
    under heavy traffic, the rule book might as well go out the window, as people seem to try to stay or get into the lane that is moving. I drive most of the M50 every day, its like now laws apply. I gave up caring a long time ago though. In most cases, staying in the "fast lane" in heavy traffic on the M50 will take the longest.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,268 ✭✭✭crisco10


    The M50 is 100% the wrong way around most of the time.....Outside lane is the slowest, centre lane is slightly quicker then left lane is quickest!


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,793 ✭✭✭FunLover18


    I stick left and have no problem undertaking although I try not to do it around exits and if it's a large vehicle I'll try overtake.

    The way I see it if I'm doing the speed limit in the correct driving lane and I happen to undertake you then that means that you're a moron dawdling in the middle overtaking lane. And as we all know; two wrongs make a right ;)

    During rush hour I don't even bother trying to get out of the left lane as people slowing and braking to switch lanes are the main contributors to the jam in the first place.


  • Registered Users Posts: 274 ✭✭neil_


    The last time I drove on the M50, traffic in the leftmost lane was barely moving, traffic in the middle lane was moving at 60-100km/h, and the right lane was moving along more or less at the speed limit. So I sat in the right lane for half an hour; it would have been incorrect for me to be in any other lane. I moved left when the traffic had cleared up to the point that I could drive at the speed limit in the left-er lane.

    I've never experienced this supposed phenomenon of the right lane being jammed with near-stationary traffic while the middle and left lanes are empty. It seems to me that if Dublin was really so full of cut-throat drivers willing to risk life and limb for a 2 second gain then.... Those drivers would just go into the middle and left lanes in that situation.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,866 ✭✭✭Fat Christy


    Option 4, I get bad cases of road rage and want to kill everyone especially in rush hour traffic.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 820 ✭✭✭BunkMoreland


    murpho999 wrote: »
    What if you were driving at night time when road is empty?

    I've driven M50 late at night when it's very quiet and you still see people driving in Lane 3 whilst 1 & 2 are empty.

    Well if the road is empty I won't be overtaking anyone so would be in the left lane.


  • Posts: 25,611 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Irish drivers are poor on motorways but I've not seen many much better. Germany on unlimited Autobahns was good but with light traffic. In France and Belgium I've seen lorries blocking 3 lanes as they try to skip a queue on a junction which is as bad as anything I've seen here. Nordie drivers don't seem to have much respect for which lane is meant to be which, weaving in and out however they fancy.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,138 ✭✭✭SaveOurLyric


    iDave wrote: »
    Middle lane, happy medium sandwiched between terrified Micra drivers on the left and egotistical tailgating BMW/Audi driving w@nkers on the right.

    Audi marketing department will be so delighted at this post and finally having their customers perceived as w@ankers. They have coveted that market previously forward slashed BMW/Merc for years.
    Big bonuses all round.


  • Posts: 0 CMod ✭✭✭✭ Serenity Icy Vessel


    Left unless overtaking
    Idiots driving on the rightmost overtaking lane on an empty road makes me cross
    "but the middle lane is the driving lane too"
    No it isn't. It's been reduced to that but it's not officially that


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,674 ✭✭✭Skatedude


    Er? trick question, there is only one driving lane on the m50 or 3 lane road


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 95 ✭✭Kilmac1




  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,934 ✭✭✭MarkAnthony


    Lane three as I'm either always overtaking or lane two when someone faster is coming up or it's clear for a while.

    People are so slow. Well apart from the Mayor of Cork, I think he got pissed off one night when I was following his car at 140+ and he had to slow down because if I got pulled he it was obvious I was gonna say he was going the same speed. That said maybe he has diplomatic immunity or something?!

    I drive a Fiat 500 with engine problems, why is everyone doddering about.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,012 ✭✭✭eamonnq


    Kilmac1 wrote: »
    compared to the mainland.


    Where ?? :eek:


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 21,749 Mod ✭✭✭✭Brian?


    eamonnq wrote: »
    I think the key thing is here is the 'more slowly' bit, it does not say slower it says 'more slowly' which I would take it would mean that it only applies when in slow-moving traffic.

    More slowly and slower are the same thing.

    If you're in the left lane and the cars to your right are moving slower than you, it's perfectly legal to over take on the left. It's not called under taking either, not such offense exists.

    No ambiguity exists here. I honestly don't understand the confusion. The law is quite clear. You've applied some sort of qualification to "more slowly" which doesn't exist. It doesn't just apply in slow moving traffic or it would say so. Your interpretation is wrong, no interpretation is actually needed.

    they/them/theirs


    And so on, and so on …. - Slavoj Žižek




  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 11,451 Mod ✭✭✭✭Hermy


    ...why is everyone doddering about.

    Why is everyone in such a hurry?

    Genealogy Forum Mod



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,012 ✭✭✭eamonnq


    Brian? wrote: »
    More slowly and slower are the same thing.

    If you're in the left lane and the cars to your right are moving slower than you, it's perfectly legal to over take on the left. It's not called under taking either, not such offense exists.

    No ambiguity exists here. I honestly don't understand the confusion. The law is quite clear. You've applied some sort of qualification to "more slowly" which doesn't exist. It doesn't just apply in slow moving traffic or it would say so. Your interpretation is wrong, no interpretation is actually needed.

    More slowly and slower are not the same thing. More slowly would mean that something is going slow and something else is going slower again (more slowly).

    Whereas slower would just mean anything slower than than anything else, if someone is driving at 200mph in the middle lane and someone in the left lane is driving at 240mph, the middle lane is moving slower, but not slowly, nor more slowly.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 4,667 Mod ✭✭✭✭Hyzepher


    I wonder would express lanes work - i.e. lanes that start at one point and you can only leave it at another point well down the road. Used in the States a lot with some success


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,934 ✭✭✭MarkAnthony


    Hermy wrote: »
    Why is everyone in such a hurry?

    If you're not in a hurry why are you in the car?

    Get a bus, take the train, go on a nice bike ride.

    If you're not in a hurry why are you on the motorway, take a nice scenic drive.

    But most of all, if you're not in a hurry why oh why are you in the outside lane!

    Point taken though and tbh I stick my flat cap on anywhere else I just like to give it some welly on the motorway as thats the only place it has any :pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,275 ✭✭✭✭josip


    Use them all, the M50 isn't a motorway.
    It's a slowly moving car park.
    You can drive wherever you want.


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 178 ✭✭the nikkei is rising


    Left lane is for cowards who think that 100km/h is 'close enough'
    Right lane is for those of use that understand that 132km/h is the actual speed limit.


  • Posts: 50,630 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Brian? wrote: »
    More slowly and slower are the same thing.

    If you're in the left lane and the cars to your right are moving slower than you, it's perfectly legal to over take on the left. It's not called under taking either, not such offense exists.

    No ambiguity exists here. I honestly don't understand the confusion. The law is quite clear. You've applied some sort of qualification to "more slowly" which doesn't exist. It doesn't just apply in slow moving traffic or it would say so. Your interpretation is wrong, no interpretation is actually needed.

    Actually, it does say in slow moving traffic.

    The link posted earlier wasn't the rules of the road, it was a link to a driving school, which is even more disappointing. The rules of the road state:
    You may overtake on the left when:

    Traffic in both lanes is moving slowly and traffic in the left-hand lane is moving more quickly than the traffic in the right-hand lane.

    It further states:
    You must not overtake when

    You are in the left-hand lane of a dual carriageway or motorway when traffic is moving at normal speed.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,797 ✭✭✭Kevin McCloud


    I have a 150bhp tractor so i drive in the fast lane.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,275 ✭✭✭✭josip


    Is there any point using the Rules of the Road as a reference?
    Parts of them are worded vaguely, eg what's "normal speed" on a road?
    The limit? 50% of the limit? 36% of the limit? When it's wet? When it's dark?
    Try to navigate the Walkinstown/Glenageary roundabout using the Rules of the Road as your guide.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,536 ✭✭✭Pataman


    Kilmac1 wrote: »
    Driving length of country every two weeks and standard of driving on motorways is shocking compared to the mainland. I stick to lane two and three

    I think the bold part of your statement goes to prove the first sentence.
    Very bad from a professional driver


  • Posts: 50,630 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    josip wrote: »
    Is there any point using the Rules of the Road as a reference?
    Parts of them are worded vaguely, eg what's "normal speed" on a road?
    The limit? 50% of the limit? 36% of the limit? When it's wet? When it's dark?
    Try to navigate the Walkinstown/Glenageary roundabout using the Rules of the Road as your guide.

    Glenageary Roundabout is as straightforward as they come.

    The only road there was every ambiguity on was coming from DunLaoghaire to go up Sallyglen Road. Now they have that clearly marked out.


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,925 ✭✭✭✭anncoates


    Always in the overtaking lane, 3-4 feet behind the driver in front of me.

    Unless my exit is 500 yards away, in which case I'll veer suddenly across the lanes before turning my indicator on for 2 seconds just as I complete the manoeuvre.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,969 ✭✭✭Mesrine65


    2 wheels, I filter appropriately to make progress :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,207 ✭✭✭EazyD


    All I see from RSA ad's is speed kills, watch out for cyclists etc. Why don't they run a motorway ed campaign? Keep left at all times unless overtaking. Repeat it enough and start handing down fines and this irritating habit should be eradicated.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 21,749 Mod ✭✭✭✭Brian?


    Actually, it does say in slow moving traffic.

    The link posted earlier wasn't the rules of the road, it was a link to a driving school, which is even more disappointing. The rules of the road state:



    It further states:

    That's exactly my point. If you're not speeding and over take on the left you're not breaking the law.

    they/them/theirs


    And so on, and so on …. - Slavoj Žižek




  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 21,749 Mod ✭✭✭✭Brian?


    josip wrote: »
    Is there any point using the Rules of the Road as a reference?
    Parts of them are worded vaguely, eg what's "normal speed" on a road?
    The limit? 50% of the limit? 36% of the limit? When it's wet? When it's dark?
    Try to navigate the Walkinstown/Glenageary roundabout using the Rules of the Road as your guide.

    Normal speed is the speed limit.

    they/them/theirs


    And so on, and so on …. - Slavoj Žižek




  • Advertisement
  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 21,749 Mod ✭✭✭✭Brian?


    eamonnq wrote: »
    More slowly and slower are not the same thing. More slowly would mean that something is going slow and something else is going slower again (more slowly).

    Whereas slower would just mean anything slower than than anything else, if someone is driving at 200mph in the middle lane and someone in the left lane is driving at 240mph, the middle lane is moving slower, but not slowly, nor more slowly.

    If you're breaking the speed limit, that's illegal. So that's clearly breaking the law.

    More slowly and slower are the same thing.

    they/them/theirs


    And so on, and so on …. - Slavoj Žižek




  • Posts: 50,630 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Brian? wrote: »
    That's exactly my point. If you're not speeding and over take on the left you're not breaking the law.

    Um, it says if you are driving at normal speed you cannot overtake on the left.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 21,749 Mod ✭✭✭✭Brian?


    Um, it says if you are driving at normal speed you cannot overtake on the left.

    No, it says when traffic is moving at normal speed I.e. The speed limit. If the traffic on the right is moving below the speed limit, overtake away.

    they/them/theirs


    And so on, and so on …. - Slavoj Žižek




  • Moderators, Politics Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,269 Mod ✭✭✭✭Chips Lovell


    I wouldn't rely on the ROTR as the arbiter of what's strictly legal and what isn't. In several instances it misinterprets/misrepresents the law. You're always better looking at the legislation itself.


  • Moderators, Politics Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,269 Mod ✭✭✭✭Chips Lovell


    The most recent legislation on the matter states:
    (5)(a) A driver (other than a pedal cyclist) may only overtake on the left—

    (i) where the driver of the vehicle about to be overtaken has signalled an intention to turn to the right and the driver of the overtaking vehicle intends, after overtaking, to go straight ahead or turn to the left,

    (ii) where the driver of the overtaking vehicle intends, after overtaking, to turn to the left at the next road junction and has signalled this intention, or

    (iii) in slow-moving traffic, when vehicles in the traffic lane on the driver’s right are moving more slowly than the overtaking vehicle,


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,934 ✭✭✭MarkAnthony


    Brian? wrote: »
    That's exactly my point. If you're not speeding and over take on the left you're not breaking the law.

    EH? How do you work that one out?

    You don't undertake on the motorway despite the muppetry that goes on. Undertaking is simply adding to the issue. The rule is designed for slow moving traffic not going down the left hand-side of someone at 119Kph.


  • Moderators, Politics Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,269 Mod ✭✭✭✭Chips Lovell


    The law defines slow moving traffic as "when vehicles in the traffic lane on the driver’s right are moving more slowly than the overtaking vehicle".

    If someone's doing 80 in the centre lane and you pass them doing 100 in the left lane, you haven't broken the law.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,391 ✭✭✭whomitconcerns


    The law defines slow moving traffic as "when vehicles in the traffic lane on the driver’s right are moving more slowly than the overtaking vehicle".

    If someone's doing 80 in the centre lane and you pass them doing 100 in the left lane, you haven't broken the law.

    Good luck with that one in court....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,784 ✭✭✭✭AndyBoBandy


    The most recent legislation on the matter states:


    Would that argument stand up in court though? If I did do this, and was stopped by a Guard for it, could I go to court quoting this rule saying the outside traffic was slower moving? and as long as I didn't break the speed limit, I was entitled to do it!

    It'd be interesting to see how a judge would interpret that law/rule.


  • Moderators, Politics Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,269 Mod ✭✭✭✭Chips Lovell


    Assuming a Guard would actually stop you for that and attempt to prosecute, then yeah, I'd be expecting my solicitor to point this out in court.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,784 ✭✭✭✭AndyBoBandy


    Exactly, it simply states 'slower moving' it doesn't say that any speed over 40-50-60 km/h and the rule does not apply.


  • Administrators Posts: 54,256 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭awec


    The law defines slow moving traffic as "when vehicles in the traffic lane on the driver’s right are moving more slowly than the overtaking vehicle".

    If someone's doing 80 in the centre lane and you pass them doing 100 in the left lane, you haven't broken the law.

    You would lose your argument here with 100% certainty if you were to challenge it.

    80km/h is not slow moving traffic. The law is designed so that people in the left lane don't have to artificially keep their speed down in times of high traffic, when the lane to the right may not be moving fast due to congestion. We have all driven in congested traffic where you move at 30 or 40 km/h and for a few mins the left lane moves faster, then the right lane, then the left lane etc.

    If there is one car trundling at 80km/h in the middle lane and no cars in the left and you fly up their inside at 100km/h you absolutely 100% have undertaken and broken the law. Overtake on the right, it's not difficult.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,391 ✭✭✭whomitconcerns


    Assuming a Guard would actually stop you for that and attempt to prosecute, then yeah, I'd be expecting my solicitor to point this out in court.

    I am trying to remember that there was a court case recently where someone claimed this and the judge told them to "get up the yard"...


  • Administrators Posts: 54,256 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭awec


    It'd be interesting to see how a judge would interpret that law/rule.

    He would most likely laugh at you and tell you to go away.


  • Moderators, Politics Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,269 Mod ✭✭✭✭Chips Lovell


    awec wrote: »
    80km/h is not slow moving traffic.

    Sorry, you're incorrect on this. The legislation clearly states what is slow moving traffic.
    I am trying to remember that there was a court case recently where someone claimed this and the judge told them to "get up the yard"...

    Judges aren't infallible.


  • Administrators Posts: 54,256 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭awec


    Sorry, you're incorrect on this. The legislation clearly states what is slow moving traffic.



    Judges aren't infallible.

    Does it? Can you quote the legislation that defines 80km/h as slow moving?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,934 ✭✭✭MarkAnthony


    The law defines slow moving traffic as "when vehicles in the traffic lane on the driver’s right are moving more slowly than the overtaking vehicle".

    If someone's doing 80 in the centre lane and you pass them doing 100 in the left lane, you haven't broken the law.

    What is your basis for that interpretation? I assume it's a literal one?

    I Judge is going to take a purposive approach; the purpose being to aid safety for people driving at high speed. To be fair a DC judge is just gonna do what he feels like but euros to beans in a CC appeal a purposive approach will be taken.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,835 ✭✭✭✭Francie Barrett


    I love the way that 63% of people say they use the left lane when the reality is that the true figure is more like 10-20%.


  • Moderators, Politics Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,269 Mod ✭✭✭✭Chips Lovell


    awec wrote: »
    Does it? Can you quote the legislation that defines 80km/h as slow moving?

    There is no legislation that defines any speed as "slow moving".


  • Advertisement
  • Administrators Posts: 54,256 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭awec


    There is no legislation that defines any speed as "slow moving".

    So how exactly does the legislation clearly define 80km/h as slow moving as you claimed only a few posts ago?


Advertisement