Motorists are being warned they could be hit with fines and penalty points for one of the most frustrating habits on the UK's motorways. Police are ramping up efforts to tackle middle lane hogging, a practice all too common on motorways across the country, causing frustration day in, day out.
Notoriously among the most overlooked driving regulations, many drivers are blissfully unaware that they're even making a mistake. Middle lane hogging happens when drivers remain in the motorway's middle lane despite the inside lane being clear, leading to unnecessary congestion as vehicles are forced to overtake by switching to the outer lane.
It can clog motorways and irritate drivers. Middle lane hogging is listed amongst the most annoying kinds of driver behaviour in Britain, reports Birmingham Live.
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While ignorance can play a part, other drivers simply can't be bothered to switch back to the inside lane - or prefer driving there. Those caught lounging in the middle lane risk facing a hefty £100 fine and receiving three points on their licence.
Warnings and driver education on the issue may precede penalties, giving offenders an opportunity to understand the error of their ways and its ramifications.
A spokesperson for Bumper, leaders in car repairs, said: "Middle lane hogging might seem harmless to some, but it can have real consequences.
Drivers are being told to follow the rules
"Not only can it earn you a £100 fine and three penalty points, but it also disrupts the natural flow of motorway traffic, causing frustration and potentially dangerous overtaking.
"Staying in the left-hand lane when not overtaking is a simple rule that makes a big difference to everyone's journey.
"With more drivers heading out for summer road trips, it's vital to brush up on motorway etiquette to avoid unnecessary penalties that could impact your insurance premiums."
The RAC website states that in busy periods, such hogging can cause congestion as traffic is forced into the outside lane to pass a lane hogger.
Their site says: "If the driver in the middle lane moved over, the same traffic could be split over two lanes, spreading the flow of traffic to prevent it bunching up in the outer lanes. Many also see staying in the middle lane as selfish, because if someone is correctly following the Highway Code and driving in the inside lane when they catch up with a middle-lane hogger, they then need to move across two lanes to overtake the lane hogger to avoid ‘undertaking’.
"This also means the overtaker has to complete four lane changes in total, instead of two."
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