Motorway drivers not using third lane

HELPDESK:Answering all your motoring queries

From F Hannaway: The removal of the toll barriers, upgrades to free-flow interchanges and the third lane additions have made a massive improvement to using the M50.

But from my experience, the full benefit of the third lane is rarely achieved due to current practices. I have observed that the left lane on the M50 is continuously under-utilised. It seems road users believe that this lane is only for entering and exiting the motorway.

I have noted that there have been TV commercials which promote correct motorway driving. Perhaps these should include driving on a three-lane motorway. I remember in Australia they had notices that drivers should keep to the left lane except when overtaking – and highlighting a fine if this rule is not followed.

I agree wholeheartedly that there is a need to educate drivers on motorway driving and the proper use of lanes.

While my observations are only anecdotal, the problem stems partly from some drivers taking on the role of speed enforcers in the outer lanes, keeping the speed of following traffic in check. This in turn can lead to aggressive driving. This is as much to do with attitude as training. A cultural shift is needed.

In the shorter term, the biggest problem with the left lane is that Irish motorists have yet to master the ability to merge properly. Those on the motorway don’t leave gaps for the merging traffic – and in some instances speed up to close the gap if they fear the merging car might be tempted to get ahead.

In turn, merging cars are always fearful of entering a gap in the traffic in case the motorway driver speeds up. While education is part of the answer, a little more courtesy on the road would go a long way to sorting this out.

From AF: Most saloon cars are difficult to access for those of older years, particularly when the joints get stiff.

I am in that category and am looking for a higher vehicle which I do not have to wriggle into to get behind the wheel. I need a two or three-year-old vehicle, and petrol not diesel as I do less than 10,000km per annum. It also needs to be large enough to occasionally carry three grandchildren in the back.

There are several vehicles that fit the bill, but it does depend on your budget. People carriers and some of the mid-sized SUVs often offer the best entry and exit, but I would be leaning more towards a people-carrier given that you need to transport three grandchildren. Even if they all don’t need child seats, with two of these in situ it makes the room for the third passenger incredibly cramped.

In terms of entry and exit I defer to a relative with a similar problem who has found the likes of the Ford C-Max and Opel Zafira to be ideal. Similarly, the Honda FR-V does the job, but it is more boxy than you probably need.

The other cars I would recommend are the Skoda Roomster and Nissan Qashqai.

All these models are available with good petrol engines and for 2008/2009 versions you will pay between €9,000 and €12,000 for the Skoda Roomster; €10,000 and €12,000 for the Ford C-Max; €13,000 to €15,000 for the Nissan Qashqai; €13,000 to €16,000 for the Opel Zafira; and €14,000 to €16,500 for the Honda FR-V.

I’d recommend you try the Roomster first and work up from there. It may not be as easy to get in as you need, so I’d then move up to to the likes of the C-Max and Zafira. The latter’s flip-up row of seats is a great feature that others have copied with varying success.

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