Car ‘hogging’ the middle lane of an empty motorway leaves people baffled

It’s a debate as old as time; should drivers be allowed to hog the middle lane?

While some people stick to the rules and drive in the left-hand lane unless overtaking, some drivers feel its perfectly acceptable for them to stay in the middle lane for the duration of their journey.

And this debate was reignited recently when traffic officer Dave Harford took to Twitter to share an incriminating photo of a car driving in the middle lane of the M5 early in the morning of June 1st.

Despite the roads being completely empty, the vehicle could be seen situated in the middle lane only, a decision Dave couldn’t quite wrap his head around. 

Sharing the photo, which was taken on a traffic camera, Dave wrote: “5am on a Wednesday morning. The M5. Not much traffic. And this happens. Oh my god – why why why?”

Dave followed up his tweet by explaining that the car had been driving at around 50mph, and had been in the middle lane for over a mile.

He said he sees this kind of behaviour on a daily basis, adding that lane hogging is ‘illegal and causes congestion when lots of traffic is around’.

However, the post divided opinions across the board, with some people agreeing with Dave’s frustration and others not being so empathetic.

Some couldn’t quite see issue with the drivers position in the noticeably empty road, with one social media user writing: “Why not? Empty road, so not causing a problem and if they were to get a puncture allows more space to control the car.”

Another wrote: “Dave, I presume you are an advanced driver. On an empty motorway you should be positioning for safety and the middle lane will give you options either side. Obviously not the way to drive when other traffic present but you described it as empty.”

However, many could empathise with Dave’s point of view, with them agreeing that the habit was ‘infuriating’.

One social media user said: “So irritating! And THEY get annoyed when you flash. Or worse, pull over to the left then back into the middle after you have passed! I think they are the main reason I’m on blood pressure meds.”

Geograph

Another suggested: “Send footage to police let them make the call, guaranteed he will get points and a fine for driving without due care and attention, empty motorway or not.”

According to the RAC, middle lane hogging can land a driver with a fine as high as £100, with its website stating: “Yes, it is an offence, although it comes under ‘careless driving’, along with tailgating, accidentally running a red light and even being distracted by eating or drinking.