Driver who got £100 fine for hogging middle lane for 3 MILES told police he’d done nothing wrong because road was empty
A FOOLISH driver faces a £100 fine after they hogged the middle lane of a motorway for three miles.
After being pulled over by police, the driver argued he wasn't in the wrong as the road was completely clear.
Police stopped the motorist after he was caught driving in lane two of the M20 in Kent for a staggering three miles.
But when officers informed him that it is against the law to drive in the middle lane when not overtaking, the driver argued back.
According to Kent Police, the driver refused to accept the charge as the motorway was empty.
He was then hit with a Traffic Offence Report (TOR) and now faces prosecution for careless driving.
Since 2013, police have had the power to hand out on-the-spot fines for drivers cruising along in the middle lane.
If cops see you travelling in the middle lane when not overtaking another vehicle, they can hand you a £100 fine and three penalty points.
Rule 264 of the Highway Code states: "You should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear.
"If you are overtaking a number of slow-moving vehicles, you should return to the left-hand lane as soon as you are safely past."
It's important motorists are aware the offence could be considered "careless driving" as it can cause a number of issues like congestion and unnecessary lane changes for those who are properly following the highway code.
HOGGING THE MIDDLE LANE - WHY IS IT ILLEGAL?
- Since 2013 it has been illegal for motorists to drive in the middle lane when not overtaking
- The penalty for driving in the middle lane can be roadside education, a requirement to attend a driver awareness course, or three points and a £100 fine
- Rule 264 of the highway code clearly states: "You should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear."
- According to the RAC, hogging the middle lane can cause a number of issues, such as forcing drivers correctly following the highway code to move across two lanes to avoid 'undertaking,' and it can also cause congestion are traffic isn't able to split over two lanes
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Social media users have blasted the driver for the irritating offence, with one person saying: "Unfortunately this is no longer a rare event, rather it's now unusual to see vehicles move left."
Another person said: "We need a lot more of this. It is of epidemic proportions on Kent's motorway network and is incredibly bad for the environment and dangerous as it causes other motorists huge frustration leading them to drive dangerously or take unnecessary risks."
Earlier this year, we revealed that 50 per cent of British drivers are guilty of middle lane hogging on the motorway.