A motorist driving on the M6 in the West Midlands has been stopped by police and issued a ticket for committing a common but often misunderstood motorway offence.
The offence: Middle-lane hogging at low speed
Officers from Warwickshire Police's Operational Patrol Unit spotted the vehicle on the M6 northbound. The car was being driven in the middle lane at a speed of between 55 and 60 miles per hour.
Critically, the inside lane was completely clear at the time, with no slower-moving traffic or obstructions. This meant the driver had no justifiable reason to remain in the middle lane, a practice known as middle-lane hogging.
Police action and official warning
The police officers intervened, taking the driver off the motorway. The motorist was officially ticketed for driving without showing reasonable consideration for other road users.
It is likely the driver will be offered a driver improvement course as a result, for which they will have to pay. Had the case gone to court, the offence could have resulted in an on-the-spot fine of £100 and three penalty points on their driving licence.
Warwickshire Police shared details of the incident on social media, stating: "Officers are seeing more and more people driving in this way, seemingly unaware of the dangers it poses."
Why middle-lane hogging is a problem
This type of driving is a frequent issue on UK motorways. The highway code is clear: you should always keep to the left-hand lane unless you are overtaking.
By sitting in the middle lane, this driver forced other vehicles to use the outside lane to pass them. This unnecessary manoeuvre contributes to congestion, especially during busier periods, and can increase the risk of accidents.
Police also highlighted the danger of driving significantly below the speed limit in an overtaking lane. "Other road users will assume that by being in an overtaking lane, they will be doing the speed limit... and will approach accordingly," the force explained.
The final advice from officers was unequivocal: "Unless overtaking or avoiding hazards, please keep to the left or you risk up to 3 points on your driving licence and a £100 fine."
