Can I be fined for hogging the fast lane?
A new campaign has been launched for safe driving
FAST-LANE hoggers can be dangerous when driving on a motorway.
Here is everything you need to know about whether it is illegal and what the law says about it.
What is fast lane hogging?
The fast lane should only be used by motorists who are overtaking traffic in the slow and middle lanes.
This happens frequently, as lorries are limited to around 56mph, while most cars may travel at speeds of up to 70mph on the motorway.
But as soon as this manoeuvre is complete, the overtaking car must move back into the left-hand lane.
Delaying this move could land the driver with a fine and points as it falls under careless driving laws.
This means you’re breaking the same law as you would if you were tailgating or running a red light, just for not moving over after overtaking.
Some drivers sit in the middle and fast lanes for long periods of time because they are unaware of the rules of the road.
Most people do the vast majority of their motorway driving without the guidance of an instructor, so may have never been told that this is illegal.
Hogging the fast lane can be dangerous, as well as frustrating for other road users.
How long can I stay in the fast lane?
According to the Highway Code rule 264, you should: “Keep in the left lane unless overtaking.
“If you are overtaking, you should return to the left lane when it is safe to do so.”
Some drivers have been stopped by police after driving for several miles in the middle lane when the left lane is clear.
You should not be in the fast lane unless there is slower-moving traffic in both lanes to your left.
If there are several vehicles travelling slowly in the left-hand lane, and there’s sufficient gap between them for you to safely pull in, you should do this.
Two distant vehicles should be overtaken in separate maneuvers, rather than one long one.
What are the fines for hogging the fast lane?
If police think you have stayed in the middle or fast lane for too long, you could get pulled over.
Since 2013, police have had the right to pull over middle-lane hoggers and issue them with an on-the-spot fine.
Penalties include a fine of £100, three penalty points, and a driver awareness course.
Fines can rise dramatically if the motorist contests this in court.
If police think you are driving without due care and attention, you could be fined up to £5,000.
In March 2024 the National Highways launched a new campaign, which is urging drivers to carefully consider their driving habits.
Sheena Hague said about the campaign: “Bad habits can make driving on our motorways a challenging experience, as those who lane hog or tailgate frustrate other drivers and make them feel unsafe.
“Both are dangerous and can cause accidents.
“Our campaign aims to motivate motorists to embrace little changes, which will have an overall positive effect on both them and their fellow road users, reduce congestion and keep traffic flowing.
“The message is simple – always allow plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front, and unless overtaking move into the left-hand lane.”
What should I do if I see a fast lane hogger?
Regardless of how the driver in front of you is behaving, you must drive responsibly.
That means maintaining a safe distance between you and the car in front.
According to the Highway Code, your stopping distance at 70mph is 96 metres — around the length of a full-sized football pitch.
This is how far you should be from the car in front, even if they’re driving too slowly for the lane that they are in.
That being the case, here are a few don’ts for when you encounter fast-lane hoggers.
Don’t:
- Get angry
- Undertake
- Try to teach them a lesson by tailgating or cutting them up
Drivers can also signal lane hoggers to change lanes.
This is possible by simply turning on the high beams towards the front driver or honking the horn.
The fast lane hogger might then switch lanes.
If the lane hogger does not switch lanes after signaling, the driver could use the middle or left lane.
Changing lanes should be done cautiously to overtake the lane hogger and it is necessary to check the side mirrors before overtaking.
Road Lanes on Toll Roads and Their Functions
In Government Regulation No. 15 of 2005 concerning Toll Roads in Article 41 Paragraphs 1 to 3, the following are the lanes on toll roads along with their functions:
- Right Lane
The right lane functions as the fast lane with high speeds or is only used for overtaking. Although it is used for high speeds, drivers must still safely control their speed.
- Left Lane
This lane functions as the lane for larger and heavier vehicles, such as buses or trucks. Considering that the left lane is designated for heavy vehicles, these vehicles usually travel at a slower speed.
- Road Shoulder
Located on the far left side, adjacent to the left lane, this area serves as the right of way (Ruang Milik Jalan), which is the toll road area given space with empty land or grass and a dividing fence. This area should only be used in emergencies, such as a flat tire, engine overheating, and others.
- Median Shoulder
Finally, there is the median shoulder that serves as a separating lane between the toll road and the opposite direction road. It is usually encountered with a road condition featuring concrete separators approximately 1 meter away from the right lane.
Am I allowed to use the fast lane?
Yes, normal cars are permitted to use all lanes of the motorway unless they are towing a trailer.
However, it is an offence to drive in the fast lane with a trailer attached to your car.
Goods vehicles with a maximum laden weight of over 7.5 tonnes are also excluded from the right-hand lane of a motorway, as are most buses.
But you shouldn’t spend any longer in the fast lane than you need to.
As soon as you have overtaken the traffic, you should return to the left.