Almost 60 per cent of UK drivers have admitted to ‘middle lane hogging’ when driving on the motorway, with those aged over 65 being the guiltiest offenders, suggests new research from Direct Line.
According to an analysis of traffic flow from 6,500 sites on the Highways Agency’s motorway network, the south-east of England is Britain’s hotspot for middle lane hogging, with motorists using the M4, near Slough, being some of the worst culprits.
The study compared the amount of time spent in the middle lane versus the inside lane – something that occured 27 per cent of the time on the M4. In the top ten worst offending motorways, the M25 appears five times. This stretch of road is based entirely in London, which suggests middle lane hogging may be a symptom of congestion.
Separate research – also carried about by Direct Line – discovered that 78 per cent of drivers were unaware that you should always drive in the left-hand lane if the road ahead is clear, but 52 per cent knew middle lane hogging is illegal.
Despite understanding that it is a crime, 59 per cent of participants still admitted to doing it, with one in ten confessing to dominating the middle lane on a regular basis – behaviour that puts themselves and other road users at risk.
Drivers aged 65 and over were more aware about the illegality of middle lane hogging, 59 per cent compared to 41 per cent of drivers aged 18 to 34, but were still more likely to do it.
Rob Miles, director of Motor at Direct Line, commented: “Lane hogging causes congestion, reduces the capacity of the roads, and most crucially, can be dangerous. It is also illegal which means drivers could face a £100 on-the-spot fine and three points on their license if caught.
“Motorists are risking their own safety and the safety of other road users through their actions so we’d urge them to be aware of the other lanes and drivers around them when on the road. If the inside lane has space, you should move into it.”
The most common reason – cited by 43 per cent of participants – was the belief it made motorway driving easier. More than a third said they only did it when the road was quiet and 32 per cent admitted to not realising when they were doing it.
Posted by
George Davis