Motorists could be slapped with a £100 fine for a common motorway mistake
Motorists throughout the UK could be hit with a £100 fine and three penalty points for a frequent motorway mistake.
A widely believed myth is that the left lane on the motorway is for 'slow' driving and the right is for 'fast' driving. However, this belief is incorrect and contravenes the Highway Code and legal regulations.
In fact, drivers are encouraged to stick to the left lane when travelling on the motorway and only use the right lanes for overtaking, returning to the left lane as soon as it's safe. Ignoring these rules can lead to legal issues and pose a risk to other road users.
Rule 264 of the Highway Code clearly instructs: "Keep in the left lane unless overtaking. If you are overtaking, you should return to the left lane when it is safe to do so."
Penalty for not sticking to the left lane
Failing to move back into the left lane after overtaking, known as 'lane hogging', is an offence. This behaviour is not just discourteous to other drivers but also creates a danger for those who wish to overtake.
The main problem with lane hogging is that it compels more drivers to switch to the outer lane to pass, which should be unnecessary. On a three-lane motorway, this means a driver would have to change across two lanes to overtake and then switch back again, which is not ideal.
Drivers will be compelled to take this action to avoid the risky move of undertaking a lane hogger by passing them on the left. The Highway Code also states: "Do not overtake unless you are sure it is safe and legal to do so. Overtake only on the right."
Lane hogging is also deemed 'careless driving' and can result in penalties if police choose to enforce it. Since 2013, officers have been able to hand out on-the-spot fines of £100 and three penalty points for careless driving offences, including lane hogging.
Should the offence be deemed particularly grave, you could be summoned to court where you might incur a fine of up to £5,000 and receive as many as nine points on your licence. In addition, the court has the authority to disqualify you from driving.
Dealing with lane hoggers
When dealing with lane hoggers, it's generally recommended to remain composed and avoid any actions that could be construed as road rage or illegal. This includes refraining from undertaking manoeuvres, which would be an offence in itself.
The advised course of action is to safely switch to the outer lane to overtake the lane hogger before returning to the correct lane.
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