No such thing as the fast lane, Peter

Peter Berry-Paxton is right to condemn drivers who do not respect speed limits (letters, June 17). He should, however, expect to be overtaken when driving at 40mph in Royal Engineers Road since the speed limit on this dual carriageway is 50mph.

He refers to the outside lane of a motorway as the “fast lane”. The outside lane is for overtaking and drivers should move back to the nearside as soon as it is safe to do so after overtaking. Lane-hogging is also an offence, ie not driving in the furthest left-hand available lane.

By remaining in the outside lane at reportedly 72mph when he should move over, he is actually generating a potential road traffic collision by impeding the path of a fastermoving vehicle.

The following driver may be in the wrong, but Mr Berry-Paxton is making the situation even more dangerous by his action.

One might also question when he had his speedometer calibrated to be so precise about his own speed. Ted Bates The Oaks, Aylesford

While I agree with many of the comments on bullying drivers made by Peter Berry-Paxton, I would like to point out that which he calls a “fast lane” is actually an overtaking lane and the only reason to be in it is that one is in the process of overtaking another vehicle.

If Mr Berry-Paxton was cruising in the overtaking lane at 72 mph, I can imagine how other vehicles (albeit breaking the speed limit) would be likely to tailgate him (albeit illegal and dangerous) and flash their headlights at him (albeit rude). Sue Greenham Upper Fant Road, Maidstone

Regarding Peter Berry-Paxton’s letter, it would appear he needs some advice (and a serious re-read of the Highway Code) about poor driving.

The outside lane on a motorway is not the “fast lane” – it is for overtaking. If he’s not overtaking, he should move in to an inner lane and let others pass.

He has no remit to try to enforce speed limits and doing so puts other drivers in danger.

Much of Royal Engineers Road is 50mph, so if he is doing 40, why not overtake if it is safe?

And of course if he does 75mph on a motorway, that’s illegal, too, just like the van drivers he condemns. Simon Smith, Pennine Way, Maidstone While I might not agree with all of the points raised by Peter Berry-Paxton, I have to agree that drivers appear to be more and more aggressive – and lacking in manners, too.

It is rare these days that cars move across to the inside lane having overtaken other vehicles and I think one of the reasons is that it is often difficult to pull out again should you need to overtake because of all the cars hogging the middle lane.

You often have to take risks to overtake because of the sheer volume, speed and, sometimes, hostile attitude of other drivers.

More lanes to deal with our growing traffic simply doesn’t work. Driving habits need to change. And a thankyou wouldn’t go amiss when you let someone out! Louisa Harper By email