IF there’s one thing that infuriates British motorists, it’s other drivers hogging the middle lane of the motorway. And as many as 50 per cent of us are guilty of the ultimate motoring sin, but are many aware it’s an offence? Can I be fined for hogging the middle lane? Since 2013, police have had […]
IF there’s one thing that infuriates British motorists, it’s other drivers hogging the middle lane of the motorway.
And as many as 50 per cent of us are guilty of the ultimate motoring sin, but are many aware it’s an offence?
Since 2013, police have had the power to hand out on-the-spot fines for drivers cruising along in the middle lane.
If cops see you travelling in the middle lane when not overtaking another vehicle, they can hand you a £100 fine and three penalty points.
It’s important motorists are aware the offence could be considered “careless driving” – but just 50 per cent of Brits know it’s illegal.
Rule 264 of the Highway Code states: “You should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear.
“If you are overtaking a number of slow-moving vehicles, you should return to the left-hand lane as soon as you are safely past.”
In analysing more than 70 hours of motorway footage across the UK, researchers found just 23 per cent of drivers stick to the Highway Code and travel predominately in the inside lane, while 27 per cent drive in the outside overtaking lane.
For the remaining half, the most common reason given for middle lane hogging is that drivers think they will have to overtake lorries and slower vehicles further up the motorway, so they may as well stay where they are.
Other motorists claimed they stay in the middle lane just so they don’t have to change lanes as much, while almost a quarter do so because they think it’s faster than driving in the inside lane.
Middle-lane hogging might be justified during periods of heavy traffic.
It can also be acceptable when approaching a slip road joining the motorway, although technically traffic joining the motorway has to give way to vehicles already on the motorway.
However, it might still be wise to move into the middle lane to give cars room to join.
If you’ve overtaken a car in the inside lane and are approaching a junction, in some circumstances it might be worth remaining in the middle lane until you’re past the slip road and it’s safe to move over.
In the event you approach a stranded vehicle on the hard shoulder, it might be worth moving into the middle lane in case any passengers step into the carriageway, or the car pulls out suddenly.
Research also revealed the hot spots where motorists are most likely to encounter middle lane driving.
Unsurprisingly, the capital and the surrounding M25 took the top spot, with 65 per cent of Londoners guilty of sticking in the centre, closely followed by drivers in Northern Ireland.
As many as 51 per cent of drivers on the road in the North East of England hogged the middle lane, while the west Midlands also saw almost half of their road users commit the offence.
Rob Miles, director of car insurance at Direct Line, commented: “Our analysis of traffic flows shows that millions of drivers risk prosecution by travelling in the middle and outside lanes when the inside lanes are entirely clear.
“It’s important that we increase awareness of the rules and penalties, primarily because they exist to keep road users safe but also drivers face serious fines and endorsements that will stay on their record for four years.
“Many motorists claim they want to avoid changing lanes to overtake, but this is a crucial skill and in-car technologies such as blind spot and safe distance warnings can help drivers to travel safely.”
Research commissioned by Direct Line Car Insurance revealed the main reasons drivers stick to the middle of the motorway.
And for the majority of us it’s just plain laziness – despite risking a hefty penalty.
