Half of motorway drivers choose life in the middle lane

• 43 per cent of drivers will drive in the middle lane even when the inside lane is clear – with the majority doing so to avoid the need to overtake slower traffic further down the road 
• Only half (51 per cent) of the population are aware you can be prosecuted for careless driving when middle lane hogging
   

A new study¹ of motorway traffic flows commissioned by Direct Line Car Insurance reveals that an average of half (50 per cent) of all vehicles travel in the middle lane and 27 per cent travel in the outside lane. Researchers analysed over 70 hours of footage across major UK motorways and found that, on average, just 23 per cent of traffic drives in the inside lane. Footage shows drivers blatantly ignoring the highway code², which clearly states “you should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear.”

Additional new research³ shows that 43 per cent of motorists in the UK will drive in the middle lane on the motorway even when the inside lane is clear of traffic. Most drivers guilty of ‘middle lane hogging’ do so because they want to avoid overtaking, claiming they know they will have to pull out to overtake lorries or other slow vehicles further up the road (43 per cent). A third (33 per cent) of motorists drive in the middle lane to avoid changing lanes too much and more than one in five (22 per cent) do so because they claim it makes them feel safer. One in nine (11 per cent) of those avoiding the inside lane do so because they claim they drive at the maximum speed limit so no one should be overtaking them. 
 

Table one: Reasons why motorists who drive in the middle lane on the motorway when the inside lane is clear do so

Source:  Direct Line Car Insurance 2018
 

Just half (51 per cent) of Britain’s motorists are aware they could be prosecuted for driving without due care and attention for remaining in the middle lane when the inside lane is free. If drivers needlessly hog the middle or outside lanes they can be prosecuted for careless driving, which could see them awarded between three and nine penalty points⁴ and a fine between 25 per cent and 175 per cent of their relevant weekly income⁵.

Rob Miles, director of car insurance at Direct Line, commented: “Our analysis of traffic flows shows that millions of drivers risk prosecution by travelling in the middle and outside lanes when the inside lanes are entirely clear. It’s important that we increase awareness of the rules and penalties, primarily because they exist to keep road users safe but also drivers face serious fines and endorsements that that will stay on their record for four years.”

Miles continues: “Many motorists claim they want to avoid changing lanes to overtake, but this is a crucial skill and in-car technologies such as blind spot and safe distance warnings can help drivers to travel safely. Academics also believe middle lane hogging can increase congestion, as in moderately busy periods people can be trapped in the left hand lane, unable to overtake slower moving traffic.”
 

Regional findings

Londoners (65 per cent) are the most likely to drive in the middle lane of a motorway when the inside lane is clear, followed by motorists in Northern Ireland (62 per cent).  Drivers in the South East (32 per cent) are least likely to hog the middle lane. Drivers in the North East are the least aware that they could be prosecuted for careless driving with just 38 per cent realising it is a traffic offence. 
 

Table two:  Reasons motorists give for drifting out of lane when driving

Source:  Direct Line Car Insurance 2018
 

- ENDS -
 

Notes to editors

¹ Researchers studied 72 hours of motorway footage recorded during rush hour and off-peak periods 11th July 2017.  Researchers analysed driving behaviors lane by lane (in both directions) across all lanes on motorways including the M40, M25, M4, M3 and M12

²   Rule 264: Lane discipline https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/motorways-253-to-273

³ Research conducted by Opinium amongst 2,004 UK adults between 12th  and 14th December 2017

⁴ https://www.gov.uk/penalty-points-endorsements/endorsement-codes-and-penalty-points

⁵   https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/explanatory-material/item/fines-and-financial-orders/approach-to-the-assessment-of-fines-2/2-fine-bands/
 

For further information, please contact:

Antonia Green

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Tel: 0207 282 2967

Email: Antonia.Green@citigatedewerogerson.com
 

Chloe French

PR Manager

Direct Line Group

Tel: 01651 831 715

Email:  Chloe.French@directlinegroup.co.uk
 

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.
 

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 3761 or visiting www.directline.com/car-cover