We’re a nation of middle-lane hogs

IT IS one of the most infuriating driving habits, but it appears that Britain is a nation of middle-lane hoggers.

According to a survey, 43 per cent of drivers admit that they cruise in the middle lane of a motorway when the inside lane is clear.

While enraging many of their fellow road users, even the threat of a £100 fine does not appear to be a deterrent.

Analysis of more than 70 hours of footage of motorway traffic found that about half of all vehicles travel in the middle lane, while 27 per cent stay rooted in the outside lane.

The footage shows that many drivers are blatantly ignoring rule 264 of the Highway Code which states: ‘You should always drive in the left hand lane when the road ahead is clear.’

The poll of more than 2,000 drivers commissioned by insurer Direct Line found 22 per cent stay in the middle lane because it makes them feel safer, while 11 per cent say they do so because they drive at the maximum speed limit so no one should be overtaking them.

While this behaviour is rife, just 51 per cent of drivers are aware that since 2013 they could be fined or prosecuted for driving in the middle lane. And in the most extreme cases, drivers can be prosecuted for careless driving – which could see them hit with between three and nine points on their licence.

However these powers are very rarely used by police. In September 2016 it emerged that only 135 fines had been issued in the three years since they were introduced.

Londoners were found to be the worst middle-lane hoggers, with 65 per cent guilty of driving constantly in the middle lane of a motorway. They were followed by Northern Ireland on 62 per cent.