Britons could receive fines of up to £100 if they are found to hog the middle lane on a motorway as National Highways warns of the danger of tailgating and careless driving.
Driving in the middle lane is only for overtaking or turning right, but in recent years, it has become the norm to travel the whole journey on this route.
A survey by National Highways found that nearly a quarter of drivers admitted to tailgating at least occasionally.
Tailgating occurs when a driver moves behind another vehicle without leaving sufficient distance to stop, it’s a tactic which can force the driver in front to switch lanes allowing the other driver to stay in the middle lane.
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National Highways have called on drivers to ensure they avoid hogging the middle lane
PA
The research showed that tailgating was among the most likely actions to make drivers feel anxious, stressed or unsafe.
Almost seven in 10 adults in England remarked how close following, or tailgating, was a serious problem on roads.
Meanwhile, more than a third (34 per cent) of those surveyed, said they noticed middle lane hogging with many responding that it made them feel frustrated or angry.
Nearly three-quarters (73 per cent) of people explained that if they were to drive too close to the vehicle in front, this could increase the chances of causing an accident.
Around the same proportion (75 per cent) added that if other motorists drive too close to their car, they would be concerned that an accident could occur.
A new campaign by National Highways aims to put an end to this dangerous practice and will feature on radio and television adverts, podcasts and roadside billboards.
It will also be shown on posters at motorway service stations, retails parks and petrol stations, and on social media.
Sheena Hague, director of road safety at National Highways, explained that bad habits can make driving on motorways a challenging experience.
Those who lane hog or tailgate frustrate other drivers and make them feel unsafe. Both are dangerous and can cause accidents, she warned.
The campaign aims to motivate motorists to embrace little changes, which should have a positive effect on all road users, reduce congestion and keep traffic flowing, Hague added.
It urges drivers to allow plenty of room between drivers and the vehicle in front, and that unless they are overtaking, move into the left-hand lane.
Commenting on the stats, Edmund King, AA president, said: “Considerate driving is not just about being kind, but it is about keeping safe."
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Seven in 10 adults in England said tailgating was a serious problem
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The top five types of drivers loathed by AA members are the tailgaters, the lane-hoggers, the phone abusers, the lane swoopers, and the undertakers, he continued.
All of these activities are dangerous and can be stressful for the perpetrators as well as other drivers, King stated.
