A national lane discipline campaign is needed to correct widespread risky behaviour by drivers on motorways, according to the AA.

The AA said that although there had been a slight fall in some risky behaviours, poor lane discipline was still too common, contributing to hold-ups and frustration and increasing the risk of collisions. It warned that on congested motorways, even minor lane discipline transgressions could cause sudden braking, bunching traffic and near misses.

The AA said that more visible motorway policing was needed, as well as clearer messaging about the need for drivers to stay to the left on motorways unless they were overtaking. However, it did also note that the latter problem could be partly linked to drivers’ reluctance to use the left lane on smart motorways without hard shoulders.

The AA said that, although middle lane hogging was not a specific offence, it could give police grounds to issue a £100 fine and three penalty points for careless driving.

The organisation said that although undertaking was not illegal in itself, it was discouraged except in situations where traffic was moving slowly as it could be unexpected and dangerous.

The AA said that failing to signal or cutting across lanes increased the risk of collisions and sudden braking incidents – but added that many drivers remained unclear on when lane discipline crossed the line into careless driving.

Further information:

https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/concern-over-poor-motorway-lane-discipline-raised-by-the-aa