I've always taken rule 268 as meaning that there have to be multiple vehicles moving at the same speed or thereby in at least one lane, but if you get an MLOCer doing, say 5mph below the limit (your speedo reading) and there are 3 of you wanting past then they're fair game!

I accept where you are coming from going up hill as i was taught not to change throttle position but, using cruise going down hill uses next to no fuel where coasting wastes energy.

I guess it comes down to how well the cruise system can maintain the speed you've set. Some of the systems I've used bring in the brakes to maintain a set speed going downhill - after all what's the point of cruise if it doesn't maintain the speed you've set - so it's going to be wasting energy scrubbing off extra speed that you're building up. I would never advocate coasting, primarily because the car is not being driven, but lifting off the throttle (ie using no fuel) and allowing the speed to build up is essentially free and can eat into the energy cost of going up the next hill.

I'm glad you gave the right answer about B roads though

Chris

:iagree: with the note that these are generalisations, and rules were made for the guidance of wise men (and yes I think Chris and I just about qualify in this case).

Speak for yourself - I am far from a wise man :rofl:

Chris

I opt for L3 when convenient to do so, with the cruise on at 75 for mpg purposes...it's a diseasel after all. Can't abide "undertakers" and trucks that see a hill and think "right, we'll have a race up that hill and cause chaos behind for the next 5 miles". As others have said, read the road ahead, anticipate your next move and my favourite "stop in the distance you can see to be clear". Those of you who recognise that phrase will know what I'm on about. Slightly OT, our next course is in January by the way, as we're full until then.

I think in our heart of hearts we all know what rule 268 means. It's not a licence to undertake just because someone in front of you is sticking to the speed limit. One car does not constitute "moving in lanes".

Speak for yourself - I am far from a wise man :rofl:

Chris

You make people (well me anyway) think about their own driving; that is one of the main qualifications for being wise (and I was limiting the description to dual cabbageway driving anyway).

Driving shouldn't be relaxing! It should be intense to keep you awake for the next 250miles!

I'm not sure relaxing and holding a high concentration are mutually exclusive. If I have a 250 mile motorway drive, I don't want to arrive at the other end exhausted, but then again, I also want to arrive in one piece (preferably breathing!).

So what's the best way of achieving both? I'd say the two key things are good long range observation (front and rear) to identify potential problems/patterns early and then good forward planning to identify how they are going to be dealt with long before they *need* to be dealt with...

Chris

I would never advocate coasting, primarily because the car is not being driven, but lifting off the throttle (ie using no fuel) and allowing the speed to build up is essentially free and can eat into the energy cost of going up the next hill.

The increase in speed only happens if the engine doesn't provide any braking ... and as I've found out recently, a TDi engine can provide more braking than one might expect. On the other hand, coasting may allow a greater increase in speed but fuel is being used to keep the engine turning.

interesting thread, here, i find in rush hour its actually faster in a car sat in lane one as lane 3 ends up as a crawl when traffic in lane one and two want to pass things and lane one always seems empty apart from some lorries. As the traffic starts braking, i maintain my speed and creep by, its not undertaking as i was maintaining the same speed as lane 2, but now they are slowing and i have nothing in front of me to hinder me, therefore i can pass with caution

:iagree:

Interestingly I find a lot of the queues around Manchester move faster in lane 2 than they do in lane 3, and I've never been able to come up with a satisfactory explanation for it. For those who know it I am thinking particularly of the queue coming in on the M62 from Croft/Birchwood towards Eccles and the M60 junction in the morning. It's always a queue so it's generally best to pick a lane and stick to it, but I always find L2 to be best. Why, I have no idea...

:iagree:

Interestingly I find a lot of the queues around Manchester move faster in lane 2 than they do in lane 3, and I've never been able to come up with a satisfactory explanation for it. For those who know it I am thinking particularly of the queue coming in on the M62 from Croft/Birchwood towards Eccles and the M60 junction in the morning. It's always a queue so it's generally best to pick a lane and stick to it, but I always find L2 to be best. Why, I have no idea...

It's because everyone thinks lane 3 aka 'the fast lane', is the cool lane where all the cool people hang out. People seem scared to be in the the dreaded 'slow lane' incase someone they know spots them! It's some bizarre social event that needs fixing!

It happens the whole time to me on the M1. Lane 3 is rammed bumper to bumper, and the speed is irratic due to someone up front randomly braking and sending back shockwaves. Lanes 1 and 2 are generally completely empty apart from the odd truck. So I just sit where I was in lane 1 and cruise on past with a lane between me and the traffic. It's undertaking, but I'd say it's legal undertaking.

Maybe it's the English condition of "quick there's a queue, we must get in it"! Maybe we should rename the lanes:

Lane 1 = Main Lane

Lane 2 = Overtaking lane 1

Lane 3 = Overtaking lane 2

Just to clarify to people that lanes 2 and 3 are for overtaking, not for cruising.

I second the

Lane 1 = Main Lane

Lane 2 = Overtaking lane 1

Lane 3 = Overtaking lane 2

bit.

That being said, I'm a new driver and I find myself often doing something very stupid. I do a lot of driving between Rochester and London and while I'm on the motorway and if it's not too busy, I'll stick to the third lane and will be cruising at around 100mph, only going in to let the faster cars fly by. Now the reason I'm doing this probably is the fact that I have yet to be stopped by police (only 6 months since I got my licence) and I have yet to get a speeding fine. I'm sure once I get one, I'll be a lot slower

On that note, just want to show much love to my little 1.4 mpi for having no trouble of jumping up to 100 mph.

will be cruising at around 100mph, only going in to let the faster cars fly by. Now the reason I'm doing this probably is the fact that I have yet to be stopped by police (only 6 months since I got my licence) and I have yet to get a speeding fine

If or when you get caught going/doing 100mph on the motorway you won't get a fine, you will get a ban

I second the

bit.

That being said, I'm a new driver and I find myself often doing something very stupid. I do a lot of driving between Rochester and London and while I'm on the motorway and if it's not too busy, I'll stick to the third lane and will be cruising at around 100mph, only going in to let the faster cars fly by. Now the reason I'm doing this probably is the fact that I have yet to be stopped by police (only 6 months since I got my licence) and I have yet to get a speeding fine. I'm sure once I get one, I'll be a lot slower

On that note, just want to show much love to my little 1.4 mpi for having no trouble of jumping up to 100 mph.

:no: Only passed your test for 6 months have you? I'll stick my neck out and think that you're a young driver and haven't yet done any advanced driving, and you think it's a good idea to cruise along at those speeds. IMO you only start to learn how to drive once you've passed your test and you no longer have someone telling you what to do. Learning to read those people ahead of and behind you on motorways takes time. I hope you drive according to the weather too. Slow down for a while and don't come to grieff with smeone else. Slowing down for getting a ticket, how about slowing down to avoid killing someone?

I second the

bit.

That being said, I'm a new driver and I find myself often doing something very stupid. I do a lot of driving between Rochester and London and while I'm on the motorway and if it's not too busy, I'll stick to the third lane and will be cruising at around 100mph, only going in to let the faster cars fly by. Now the reason I'm doing this probably is the fact that I have yet to be stopped by police (only 6 months since I got my licence) and I have yet to get a speeding fine. I'm sure once I get one, I'll be a lot slower

On that note, just want to show much love to my little 1.4 mpi for having no trouble of jumping up to 100 mph.

Wow.. i helped you out by closing your other thread to save you a shed load of bother, but it really seems there is no end to your stupidity!!

In the first 2 years, don't 6 points = lose license and start all over again? 100mph = 6 points territory!

I think you're right yes.

oh @ daulex - Ask and boast about your speed issues here, they should be good listeners... --> http://www.5ive-o.org/forum/content.php

In the first 2 years, don't 6 points = lose license and start all over again? 100mph = 6 points territory!

Jason, you will also risk getting a ban regardless of how long you have been driving

wow coming on a open forum and tell people you often sit at 100mph lol are you mad ???

we all do silly things and have all at some point broken rules but to come on here and spout about traveling at 100mph is bad enough and then the nail in the coffin you have only had your license 6 months lol

this is an open forum and you will be amazed at the companies that look on forums for this very reason......

p.s over 96mph you are summond to court so likely ban.

you meantion about being stopped and that might help you how about think the next time the police stop is to close the raod while they remove your body from the car.....

not good buddy drive safe drive wise.

i recommend you go out for a drive with ncarring or scoobychris it will bring you down a peg or 2 trust me

Don't want to get on a high horse here or anything, but when I first passed my test I did the pass plus which taught me a bit about motorways.

But to think it was a good idea so soon after passing my test is madness IMO, and taking the attitude that a fine is the best way to learn is also madness. The fastest I have ever driven is far less than that, private road or otherwise (passed 2 years ago come June). I've often wanted to do further advanced driving/track day, but a) know no-one in my area and b ) have a crap car for that kinda thing.

But really, ever lost anyone to a road crash, or know anyone whose been affected by one? If you're the one responsible for taking someone elses life then imagine that hanging over you for the rest of your life! I've seen cars broken down in lane one of the motorway before and cars seving out into the next lanes to miss them, chances of dodging that at 100mph. . .

The bit I really don't get is the admission it's a retarded thing to do. Granted we all make mistakes, but to openly and knowingly repeat them. . .that's something else.

Just cos the Germanic car drivers think it's the right thing to do, doesn't make it so!

Anyway, that's all from me, just hope I don't run into you on the road any time soon.

Edited 8 February, 201016 yr by TriggerFish

I've often wanted to do further advanced driving/track day, but a) know no-one in my area and b ) have a crap car for that kinda thing.

I can put you in touch with a friend in Oxford who can help you with the advanced driving or if you're interested, PM me and we might be able to sort out meeting up for a drive as Oxford isn't that far from me. Wrt the car, you may be surprised at how much more one can get out of a "crap" car

Chris

Thank you for the warnings. I'm not going to try and wiggle out of what I have said. I admit that my driving habits and furthermore the boasting are/were pure stupidity.

Not asking for excuses and not trying to say that my actions were right, purely explaining my point of view: I simply was not aware of how "open" these topics are, furthermore I really did not think that they would be monitored by anyone from the insurance companies or the relevant driving authorities. I am sure that most of you have been at least once been in my shoes and had that epic joy of the drive, not being experienced enough and not having much other joy in my life, I simply did not want to let that good feeling go.

So, once again, I'm admitting my own stupidity and I will work on my driving habits.

Edited 9 February, 201016 yr by daulex

That being said, I'm a new driver and I find myself often doing something very stupid. I do a lot of driving between Rochester and London and while I'm on the motorway and if it's not too busy, I'll stick to the third lane and will be cruising at around 100mph, only going in to let the faster cars fly by. Now the reason I'm doing this probably is the fact that I have yet to be stopped by police (only 6 months since I got my licence) and I have yet to get a speeding fine. I'm sure once I get one, I'll be a lot slower

On that note, just want to show much love to my little 1.4 mpi for having no trouble of jumping up to 100 mph.

I'll ignore the legal implications as you've aware of those and it's your licence... so for the sake of using 100mph let's assume we're driving on a derestricted autobahn, although 100mph can equally be substituted for 70mph...

One of the mantras of advanced driving is that you need to be able to stop well within the distance you can see to be clear so one of the key parts of driving quickly is observation. What sort of thinking/stopping distance is required to bring a (your?) car from 100mph to 0mph if you need to stop as this is the minimum distance you need to be looking to keep clear ahead of you. What condition is your car in - are the tyres all correctly inflated with good amounts of tread and in good condition? Does the car brake in a straight line and are the brakes in good working order? Where are you looking for things which may require you to slow down (road surface, debris, workmen/HA/police, people/cameras on bridges, animals at the side of the road, cars in lanes 1, 2 and 3 and how they are interacting)? If you're travelling at night, how far ahead of you is illuminated - does it cover your minimum distance? Things happen far more quickly at speed so looking as far ahead as you can see and planning/anticipating well in advance are crucial for maximum, safe progress.

So that's the planning stuff to avoid getting into trouble, however, no-one's perfect so what happens if you do get into a spot of bother and need to rely on car control skills to save you. How comfortable would you be executing an emergency lane change manouevre at 70-100mph? If the car were to start sliding/spinning, would you be able to recognise it early enough to have a chance of correcting it? Would you know how to and be able to execute keeping it under control and avoiding a (big) accident?

Chris

ScoobyChris, Thank you, everything you've said is perfectly valid. Please read my last post (just above yours).