neil248

One reason I think the left lane is often empty here has to be the way much of the traffic merges. Most trucks seem to settle into the middle lane.

chris955

I have had people tell me the left lane is actually the merging lane, while people think like that nothing will change.
Thats another huge difference I have noticed here is that trucks GENERALLY do the right thing and will not clog up the road like they often did going down to the Gold Coast especially. What should be said here is noone is saying that drivers in the UK are perfect, that would be foolish of course but overall the standard is just so much higher here.

PaulandNic

I cover Logan to the Gold Coast area so generally head south in the morn and north in the eve ... perfect! ... but leaving Brisbane after 2pm is hit or miss when you join the gateway merge! ...

Cheers

Both. I went from driving up and down the M1 in the UK to driving up and down the M1 in QLD

Yeah 110KPH is fine here if the motorway is empty, but throw a heap of traffic into the equation with their keep right unless overtaking, 1 second rule, + all the rest of bad road habits and it's painful! ... as you know.

Merging? ...

neil248

Yes meandering along the on ramp at 40kph to join 2 or 3 lanes of traffic doing 100kph. Isn't that what merging means.

Have had so many times now following a vehicle onto the MI desperate for it to pick up speed to safely join the main carriageway especially on the short on ramps.

Alfresco

Yes, why do people do that!!!

Alfresco

My list of driving pet hates. Not only confined to Australia.

Drivers that...

• Don't indicate or indicate incorrectly
• Drive much slower than the speed limit unnecessarily
• Drive much faster than the speed limit unnecessarily
• Don't merge at traffic flow speed
• Drive in the RH lane for no reason holding up traffic behind
• Never check their rear-view or side mirrors
• Are oblivious or don't care that anyone is behind them
• Drift into another lane without indicating
• Tailgate on fast roads - especially semis
• Stop or almost stop at roundabouts when there is no traffic to wait for
• Don't give way to people already on the roundabout to their left or right
• Use mobile phones
• Chat away to a passenger
• Do U turns across a solid white line
• Do U turns at lights when there is no sign to say they can
• Drive busses that just pull out even if you're alongside them or just behind
• Sail through Orange and Red lights
• Stay behind the white line to turn right when there is oncoming traffic and the light is green
• Don't let others into traffic from side roads
• Don't drive perfectly like me

spouse of scouse

Love the last one

I don't know if people tailgate all over Australia, but a lot of it goes on in Perth. I travel on a 100km per hour road to and from work and there's always someone up my bum, no matter which lane I'm in, including August 2011 when I had to brake to avoid a large barrel that had fallen off a truck. The tailgater behind me went into and under my vehicle, leaving me with 5 ruptured discs in my neck and lower back. One operation later and another coming up, my feelings towards tailgaters haven't mellowed any. In fact, if I wasn't such a lady I'd get out at the red lights and batter them!

chris955

Tailgating was a huge problem in Brisbane.

Cheetah7

Tailgaters are wankers and they are in the same basket as those that think the road traffic laws do not apply to them and can adapt them to suit themselves or those that believe they 'drive better' after a few beers and tip off their drunk friends so they dont get done by booze buses - scum of the earth.

That is terrible about your accident - did the driver get fined/lose points?

spouse of scouse

Thanks Cheetah. No, the police who attended the accident said that although the other driver was entirely at fault, he probably wouldn't be charged as I had to brake so heavily and suddenly. He didn't get off scott free though, he had to pay for the $10,500 damage to my vehicle as he didn't have comprehensive insurance. My medical treatment's being covered by third party insurance, thank God! The person who did get away with it was the truck driver who didn't secure his (or her) load properly, they buggered off and couldn't be traced. Ah well, stuff happens and at least I'm still alive

Cheetah7

I hate driving and only do it because I have to. I had a green P plater yesterday in a gold Elantra (sp?) right up my arse, had I hit the breaks, she would have been up my backside for sure. It doesnt make me go any faster, in fact I slow down - not to annoy them but because it makes them slow down so if they do hit me, its at a slower speed.

People always seem to think they know better than the road laws and can apply them to suit themselves.

PaulandNic

Have seen 2 more sets of camera's on bridges, one on the Goldie and one south of Brisbane. I've been told of another but not sited myself yet.

All noted in my head, but you all keep to the speed limit so I'll keep the info to myself, you'll be right! ...

Alfresco

And so will you! (we hope)

chris955

Well the Newman Government has to try and bring in money somehow so 'safety' cameras are an ideal tool

PaulandNic

I also see 2 police bikes between Coomera and Beenleigh on the M1 today ...