Driving etiquette………..

Driving etiquette………..

I drive about 60 miles a day to/from work. I tend to use the dual carriageway trunk roads in the morning and the quiet country roads in the evening.

For some while now, I’ve observed the driving “tactics” of others and myself and wondered what is considered acceptable etiquette in various situations. The scenarios are numerous, so I’ll start with an over-simplified situation……….

For example, four-lane dual carriageway (two lanes each direction) with a National speed limit at 70mph. Long line of relatively slow moving traffic at 57mph in the nearside lane. Lone motorist following at 65mph and obviously catching up the long, slow line. Lone motorist notices that a long line of vehicles in the outside lane, travelling at 70mph are catching up with him. Decision time !

Does etiquette suggest the lone motorist should :-

• Slow down to 57mph, remain in the nearside lane and allow the faster queue to overtake
• Speed-up to 70mph, pull out and overtake the slow line, ie at the head of the fast line
• Pull out at a steady 65mph and maintain this previously selected speed until well clear of the slow line and then give way to the now “not so fast queue” that has built up behind him.