Drivers who needlessly hog the middle lane on motorways face fines of £100 as well as three penalty points under new government measures designed to crack down on careless motorist.
Fines for a number of other offences on the road – including using a handheld mobile phone while driving, or jumping traffic lights – are also expected to be increased from £60 to £100.
Traffic police will decide which motorist is hogging the middle lane and issue on-the-spot fines.
Although some commentators have argued that fines are not necessarily the right approach for careless driving because cases are often not clear-cut, motoring organisations have long called for better lane discipline by drivers, which they believe could solve many congestion problems.
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 slower-moving vehicles, you should return to the left-hand lane as soon as you are safely past.
"Slow-moving or speed-restricted vehicles should always remain in the left-hand lane of the carriageway unless overtaking."
More than a million drivers have been convicted of using a handheld mobile phone behind the wheel since 2003, when using one other than for making an emergency call was made illegal.
Careless, reckless or hurried driving has been recorded as being a contributory factor in 16% of accidents, according to statistics from the Department for Transport and Driving Instructors are encouraged to have more emphasis on safe driving when giving driving lessons.
A failure to look properly was the most-reported contributory factor in accidents of any severity and was mentioned in 42% of incidents.
Excellent article. A simple consideration by everyone can make everyone more safe, less stressful and solve road congestions.
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