Overview

• A National Highways survey finds about one in three motorists—roughly 14 million people—confess to staying in the middle lane.
• Highway Code Rule 264 instructs drivers to keep to the left lane when the road is clear and to move back after overtaking.
• Police can treat lane hogging as careless driving, carrying a fixed £100 fine and three penalty points if drivers are stopped.
• The RAC cites gaps in practical motorway training and driver convenience as common reasons for the behaviour.
• The RAC says reduced numbers of traffic police and the limits of camera enforcement hinder consistent penalties, and the habit often creates queues by cutting available overtaking space.