‘Hey you! Get over!’
How many times have you curdled with frustration at other drivers’ ill-mannered and plain incorrect driving?
(I know we’re supposed to stay calm while driving, but sometimes, honestly….)
You know what I’m talking about.
The middle lane road hog. The smug-in-the-seat-I-feel-safe-in-this-lane-driver. But, c’mon on guys, look at those other motorists around you who are having to take evasive action.
Did you not correctly read and understand the Highway Code when you passed your driving test? And I quote:
“You should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear. If you are overtaking a number of slower-moving vehicles, you should return to the left-hand lane as soon as you are safely past.”
Call me a pedant, but that says get out of the middle lane as soon as you can and back into the left hand lane of the motorway – the so-called ‘slow lane’.
Well from today (Friday 16 August) they can be served a fixed penalty notice and a £100 fine for hogging the middle lane, along with those guys who insist on following you to within a millimetre of your rear bumper – the tailgaters.
But will the changes make any difference? Will you notice improved lane behaviour?
Hmmm. I’m not convinced.
You still see plenty of people with the phone gripped to their ear while driving – and talking of which, the fine for using a hand-held mobile phone also rises today from £60 to £100.
I fear we’ll continue to see the menace of the middle lane meanderer for some time yet.
But, if nothing else, the issue has created debate and has created news – so at least the issue is being aired. And not marginalised, like those middle lane road hoggers who should be in the left hand lane!
‘Hey you! Get over!’ How many times have you curdled with frustration at other drivers’ ill-mannered and plain incorrect driving? (I know we’re supposed to stay calm while driving, but sometimes, honestly….) You know what I’m talking about. The middle lane road hog. The smug-in-the-seat-I-feel-safe-in-this-lane-driver. But, c’mon on guys, look at those other motorists around … Continued
If I mention hydrogen to you, what image do you first think of? The Hindenburg airship going up in flames in 1937 – or a Hyundai SUV? For me it’s the former, certainly. Yet last week Hyundai announced that they would be launching a production version of its ix35 SUV powered by a fuel cell … Continued
We’re on something of a roll here. Deservedly so, I would say! But following our success as the Best Company to Work at in Scotland and our rating as one of the Best Companies to Work at in the UK by Great Place to Work Institute – rubbing shoulders with high street names such Coca … Continued
I’m sorry to tell you this. But someone must. To all company car drivers – you’re now redundant. Yes, that’s right, P45’d. No – and before you ask – this isn’t some UK-wide cost cutting, axe-wielding exercise by the UK’s new CEO of fleet. None of that. It’s the introduction of the autonomous car. Now … Continued
So, the outrageous state of our roads is going to be tackled. About time! The equivalent of 19m potholes are going to be filled thanks to £28bn earmarked for road improvements. This includes £10bn for critical maintenance projects under the government’s recently announced spending review. It’s needed. Repairing our roads (some 2.2m potholes were filled … Continued
Shhh! I’m having a conversation… With my car. This might seem an odd concept – rather like those slightly bizarre people who walk down the road seemingly talking to themselves. Except they’re not, of course. They’re talking into an earpiece connected to their mobile phone. Still, I always think it needs a degree of bravery … Continued
Have you had a chance to digest the details of Vauxhall’s new Insignia? They are worth a few moments of your time. But I’ll paraphrase for you: reduced prices (some £3k off the P11D price) in a revised and slimmed down range with CO2 emissions down to 99g/km. Yes, you read that correctly – 99g/km. … Continued
You’re probably aware that, here at Fleet Alliance, we do a fair amount for our chosen charities. Recently we joined in National Onsie day – which thankfully was held on a Friday. If you’re not familiar, a ‘onesie’ is a relaxed all-in-one romper suit originally designed for babies, but which are now proving popular with … Continued
One of the most famous cabriolets is about to go on sale. It’s an Audi Cabriolet from the early nineties. Now at the time, Audi Cabriolets weren’t that famous – until Princess Diana, made it her car of choice that is. Now the very same green 1994 Audi Cabriolet 2.3 E ( with a glorious … Continued
What a world of numbers we live in: they have come to define our successes and failures. In football numbers mean the route to glory, to Europe – or, potentially, the downward tumble to a lower division. In terms of our national ‘feelgood factor’ numbers define how well we are doing. Has the housing market … Continued