I’ve had enough of middle lane hoggers – what can be done to stop this scourge on our roads?

Hogging the middle lane isn’t just against the law, it’s incredibly annoying. There needs to be stronger enforcement on these drivers, because it feels like they’re constantly getting away with it.

You’re cruising along the motorway when you catch up with a car doing 60mph. You look to pull out to overtake – and, oh look, there’s another driver also doing 60mph in the middle lane.

They’re not overtaking anyone. They’re not speeding up. And they certainly don’t seem interested in moving back into the left-hand lane.

This causes a ripple effect across the motorway. Drivers trying to overtake are pushed into the outside lane, while the middle lane fills up. Before long, traffic starts to bunch up, making the motorway more congested and increasing the risk of accidents.

It’s enough to make your blood boil.

I’m so sick of seeing motorists seemingly get away with it. But this isn’t simply a case of middle lane hoggers being irritating – it can be dangerous too.

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When a driver sits in the middle lane without overtaking, they can force other motorists to make unnecessary lane changes, potentially pulling into the path of faster-moving traffic.

On a busy motorway, one inconsiderate driver can create a knock-on effect, with other motorists having to brake, change lanes or squeeze past when they shouldn’t have to.

If this annoys you too, we’re not just being grumpy, the police agree.

A National Police Chiefs’ Council spokesperson told me that “poor lane discipline is not only discourteous, but is often an offence of careless or inconsiderate driving”.

They’ve even gone as far as to say that some cases “may even constitute the more serious offence of dangerous driving”.

Rule 264 of the Highway Code states that you must keep in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear and only use the middle lane for overtaking. Then you should return to the left lane as soon as it’s safe after passing slower vehicles.

A spokesperson from National Highways, the organisation responsible for the smooth running of the UK’s motorway network, said: “Middle-lane hogging frustrates drivers, increases congestion and can lead to collisions, which is why we regularly display advice to help improve driving habits.

“This forms part of our Little Changes campaign to highlight the small steps we can all take to make motorways safer, reduce congestion and keep traffic flowing.

“The message is simple – always allow plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front, and unless overtaking, move into the left-hand lane.”

So why does it feel like so many middle lane hoggers are getting away with it? It’s not as though there are no consequences for motorists who ignore the rules.

Laws introduced in 2013 give police the power to hand out on-the-spot fines of £100 and three penalty points, meaning failing to keep left on the motorway could quite literally hit drivers in the pocket.

The NPCC spokesperson noted that “more serious offences can be put before the courts who have the power to impose heavier fines, more penalty points or even disqualification”.

So, if the rules are clear and the penalties are already there, why does the problem persist?

We’re on the right track with National Highways trying to educate people through signage and by introducing laws to punish offenders, but I do think stronger enforcement is required to really make the penny drop.

Motorways are busy enough without drivers treating the middle lane like their own private lane. I’m not asking for perfection – just a bit of common sense, consideration and, perhaps most importantly, a willingness to follow the rules.

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