RAC demands ‘more enforcement’ to tackle little-known rule that is ‘common sight’ on roads
A new campaign is trying to clamp down on serious road safety concerns on UK roads as industry leaders call for motorists to be hit with stronger punishments.
Experts have demanded tougher penalties to clamp down on a dangerous issue plaguing Britain's roads.
Driving laws to clamp down on the problem have been in place “for more than 10 years” but are still a “common sight” across UK routes.
Rod Dennis, RAC road safety spokesman, has now called for stronger action as he threw his support behind a major new National Highways awareness campaign.
The new programme is hoping to raise awareness of the issue in a bid to boost road safety across the summer.
Rod said: “Middle lane hogging and tailgating aren’t just irritating driving habits; both are illegal and dangerous, which is why we’re in full support of National Highways’ campaign.
“Drivers that trail the car in front leave themselves no time to react if the vehicle ahead brakes suddenly, while those that hog the middle lane prevent others from overtaking which can cause longer queues of traffic.
“Penalties for middle lane hogging and tailgating have been in place for more than 10 years, yet both are unfortunately still a common sight on our fastest roads.
“While education can clearly be beneficial, more enforcement would send the strongest possible message that this behaviour isn’t acceptable.”
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According to National Highways, lane hogging and tailgating offences fall under careless driving.
It means road users could be slapped with on-the-spot £100 fines and up to three penalty points on their driving licence.
However, tougher punishments could focus the attention of cash-strapped road users and make them hyper-sensitive to break the law.
National Highways are aiming to at least halve the number of people killed or seriously injured on roads across the country by the end of 2025.
The Government agency’s long-term project is to achieve a 'zero-harm network'.
Rod added: “The Highway Code is clear that you should drive in the left-hand lane unless overtaking and leave at least a two-second gap between you and the car in front. These times should be doubled in bad weather.”