I think one of the most dangerous actions taken on a motorway is to change lane; that is not to say never change lane, but be very careful when you do. For example, beware of vehicles in lanes 1 and 3 both trying to move into lane 2 at the same time.
Re 'undertaking', is it alright to be in lane 1 passing vehicles going slower in lanes 3 and 4?
My understanding of case law is that with regards to undertaking, it is permissable to continue in your current lane upto the legal speed limit.*
If that means passing some twunt in “outer” lanes doing 5-15mph slower then so be it. I’ve done it with a cop car behind, just cruised past and stayed in my lane for a fair old while, the cop car did the same.
*which is the catch, as tbh it is rare to be able to really undertake and actually be under 70.
Lastly, something that annoys me is when you pull out to overtake a vehicle going slower than you, who then accelerates so you have to pull back in. Why do vehicles suddenly change speed? Are they just not paying attention, are they looking at their texts, or are they distracted by their on board video displays trying to adust their climate control etc.
This behaviour does my head in, whether I’m using cruise control or driving “full manual” I drive at a constant speed and only adjust (downwards) if something is blocking me.
Having overtaken something doing 2-10mph slower only for them to speed up and come past me and then slow back to their original difference and mean I have to go through it all again is very anoying - and incredibly distracting to constantly having to plan such additional overtakes on top of all the other interactions and assessments of cars. I dont give a monkey’s about being in front or behind car X per se, I just want to get somewhere at the speed I’m trying to travel at, so either go in front or behind but make your ruddy mind up.
I must admit just doing 90+ in the outside lane is vastly less stressful, you are going past everything and you control when and how and then its done. None of the “are they catching/dropping” or “when should I pull out/in” or “how much risk is there of getting stuck if I dont move now” internal monologue. Also better in rain as it gets a tiny fraction of the spray and often you can be wipers off vs wipers max even a few metres to the left such is the kick up of spray from HGVs on the inside.
I think a lot of outer lanes cruising is people tired of the endless mental calcualtions as to when/if they should pull in and lots of experience of then finding themselves blocked in by a solid stream materialising to their right.
“Move to the left if clear” is great, but define “clear”, noting the HA ads themselves dont.
Other than on the M40 or M6 Toll (due to lack of enforcement) your alleged 119mph is really quite unknown these days. In my experience I'm quite likely to be in Lane 3 at an indicated 73 (actual 70) and be the fastest car, certainly in my extensive experience of the M1 and M6.
Yes, there's a reasonable chance you might get pulled for doing that if (if!) there are any actual police instead of traffic officers. It's classic DWDCAA to just pootle along without paying much attention, as much if you do it in lane 1 as lane 2.
You dont drive the M40 much I guess… seems to have relatively little HGV traffic on it so cars are (can be) better at keeping left. And hence the outside lane is free much more. It also seems laid out for high speed driving, I do wonder what much of it’s design speed actually was.
I also do and have always driven the M1&6 a lot, 90+ cruising is eminently possible outside of actual congestion nearly all the time. 73/70 in the outside lane would see a fairly constant stream of people build up behind you… I’ve just got back from a trip where I set the cruise to 77 and I spent most of that in the middle lanes being overtaken.
I agree with the OP that with a significant speed differential then undertaking with a wide berth and a preparadness to go left is pretty easy. I suspect most hogs remain unaware of what has happened just as they were unaware of what they were/are doing. When you see the odd one indicate and pull over behind you it is hard to avoid a feeling of smugness that perhaps learning has occurred.
It also definitely seems a trend that middle lane hogs are as others have pointed out, private hire vehicles with drivers from minorities. This trend does seem to reverse improvements in the last couple of decades. I assume we reocgnise other nation’s licences hence many have probably not passed here. That may be a poor policy.