Fast Lane Is The New Slow Lane

**rastuscat** · 21st January 2017, 19:12

So many people are using the fast lane by default, I have started to use the slow lane to go faster. Here's the news : it works.

I came onto the Christchurch Northern Motorway this morning on the way to work. Bugger all traffic, but what was there was all sitting in the fast lane (the outside lane of two), so I just stayed in the left lane and passed them all.

That's not how it's supposed to work, but it does.

So many folk have this sense of sitting in the fast lane, even when there's no reason to, that's it's defeating the purpose.

WTF?

**trustme** · 21st January 2017, 19:17

It's a Christchurch thing

**pritch** · 21st January 2017, 19:40

Yeah but it works much better if they sit in the fast lane at the same speed as the car in the inside lane. That's the Auckland method aapparently.

**Scuba_Steve** · 21st January 2017, 20:06

Originally Posted by rastuscat

So many people are using the fast lane by default, I have started to use the slow lane to go faster. Here's the news : it works.

I came onto the Christchurch Northern Motorway this morning on the way to work. Bugger all traffic, but what was there was all sitting in the fast lane (the outside lane of two), so I just stayed in the left lane and passed them all.

That's not how it's supposed to work, but it does.

So many folk have this sense of sitting in the fast lane, even when there's no reason to, that's it's defeating the purpose.

WTF?

Be nice if your old gang did something about it wouldn't it

Still I do get satisfaction when I force some one who can't grasp the "keep left unless overtaking" concept to miss there exit cause I don't let line cutters in (& people who can't keep left piss me off)
It's only happened a couple times but it's so much more satisfying when the exit they missed was the last one & now they have to travel another few km's before they can even turn around to then travel back so they can take the exit they wanted

**rastuscat** · 21st January 2017, 20:08

Originally Posted by Scuba_Steve

Be nice if your old gang did something about it wouldn't it

Still I do get satisfaction when I force some one who can't grasp the "keep left unless overtaking" concept to miss there exit cause I don't let line cutters in (& people who can't keep left piss me off)
It's only happened a couple times but it's so much more satisfying when the exit they missed was the last one & now they have to travel another few km's before they can even turn around to then travel back so they can take the exit they wanted

I love forcing people who have failed to plan ahead to face the consequences of their lack of vision.

For example, bikers who want to go straight ahead from left-turn-only lanes get bugger all sympathy.

Cars even less so.

**AllanB** · 21st January 2017, 20:26

I think it is a Christchurch thing.

I think the mentality goes something like: Fast lane = speed limit (and in theory this is correct as one should not be travelling over 100) so I'm doing 100 so I'll sit in the fast lane.

Reality is slow lane = 100, fast lane = faster ........ we need a ultra fast lane

**haydes55** · 21st January 2017, 20:32

Originally Posted by AllanB

I think it is a Christchurch thing.

I think the mentality goes something like: Fast lane = speed limit (and in theory this is correct as one should not be travelling over 100) so I'm doing 100 so I'll sit in the fast lane.

Reality is slow lane = 100, fast lane = faster ........ we need a ultra fast lane

Bullshit. When have you ever seen anyone go the speed limit? No one can manage 100km/h

**Gremlin** · 21st January 2017, 20:42

Originally Posted by pritch

Yeah but it works much better if they sit in the fast lane at the same speed as the car in the inside lane. That's the Auckland method aapparently.

That and wait until you see your exit and make a nice smooth line from the outside lane straight to the off ramp. Reverse when entering the motorway. I'm really surprised there are so few accidents.

Friday evening, car changed into my lane on the motorway, indicated and moved in one motion. Flashed my high beam, kept it on, nothing changed the cars path. Today, car simply moved into my lane with no indication or response to the horn while I was on the picks... It's mostly the cluelessness that pisses me off the most.

**Berries** · 22nd January 2017, 08:38

It's a Christchurch thing

And Dunedin. We only have 10km of two lane road here but you see it every day. More often than not you undertake someone and they immediately indicate and pull left, showing that they were just driving on auto pilot.

What gets me is when the car overtakes a vehicle and then there is a massive gap to the next vehicle ahead but it stays in the right hand lane. It all comes back to the courtesy thing which is sadly missing on NZ roads. But then if the rules don't categorically prohibit the practice what do we expect?

**FJRider** · 22nd January 2017, 08:49

Originally Posted by Berries

... But then if the rules don't categorically prohibit the practice what do we expect?

I think the keep left rule still applies ... even in Dunedin. Just not policed unless there is seen to be a dangerous overtaking/driving involved.

Such driving by other motorists irks people ... only because they do not like being inconvenienced in any way.

**Voltaire** · 22nd January 2017, 09:36

Originally Posted by rastuscat

I love forcing people who have failed to plan ahead to face the consequences of their lack of vision.

For example, bikers who want to go straight ahead from left-turn-only lanes get bugger all sympathy.

Cars even less so.

Good to see the big issues getting some attention. I must have missed Paula Bennett announcing that one.

My 5 minute survey looking out an office window at Nelson St in Ak showed about 25% of drivers playing with their phone.

**Berries** · 22nd January 2017, 09:40

Originally Posted by FJRider

I think the keep left rule still applies ... even in Dunedin. Just not policed unless there is seen to be a dangerous overtaking/driving involved.

My point was Section 2.8(2)(a) of the Road User Rule allows passing on the left on a multi lane road. By condoning the practice this lessens the intent of 2.1(3) where it lists the eight particular scenarios for when you can drive in the right hand lane. Most days I see people ignoring this. Well, ignoring it is a bit strong, it is simply another example of things being introduced or built, in this case the Fairfield bypass, with no education whatsoever on how to use it. I only know bits of the Road User Rule through my work, Joe Public is not going to read it even if he knows it exists.

Anyroad, I prefer it this way. Firstly I have no hesitation in undertaking another vehicle if it is hindering my progress and secondly it flags the driver of said vehicle as someone who either does not use their mirrors, does not know the road rules or does not care about motorbikes. All three are useful things to know before passing them.

**Tazz** · 22nd January 2017, 09:51

Christchurch doesn't do fast and slow lanes, and the left lane is often faster on the motorway as much of the left lane traffic takes exits along the way. No big deal as everyone is in the same boat and you're going to get there anyway, probably only 20seconds ahead of someone you passed 10mins ago to boot XD It's the same all over the world (expect on the other side of the road XD)

My pet hate is people who just fill up on the right hand 'straight ahead lane' at intersections, backing traffic right up that would otherwise make it through. Crossing Blenhole Rd near tower junction (going norf) is a regular place for this.

**Tazz** · 22nd January 2017, 09:54

Originally Posted by rastuscat

I love forcing people who have failed to plan ahead to face the consequences of their lack of vision.

For example, bikers who want to go straight ahead from left-turn-only lanes get bugger all sympathy.

Cars even less so.

Out of interest, would behavior like that get a ticket over someone who feels the need to block already heavy traffic by stopping everyone and reversing into it?