THE HOGGING OF THE LANES ON MOTORWAYS

Agree completely! In my former life as a military driver (HGV1 and PSV) we were actually taught Motorway driving after our basic car test, then after our HGV 3 test (remember them!?!) and after our coaches test, as the rules are different and it builds confidence. Rather than passing a pretty straightforward test then let loose on the countrys motorway network with cargo or passengers.

Never understood why it was never part of the normal driving sylabus.

Its actually been illegal for 2 years now to "hog" the middle lane although until June of this year no one has actually been fined/convicted of said offence.

Upon checking my facts the award for the first recorded fine for middle lane hogging was given to a chap in Manchester. A total fine of £940 (£500 fine, £400 court costs £40 victim surcharge) & 5 points added to his once before clean licence.

According to the Police he was driving in an "inconsiderate manner" for several miles and appeared to refuse to move over to the inside lane despite having ample opportunity to do so.

I am a firm believer of not allowing new drivers on the motorway until a secondary test or at least a professionally supervised session of driving has taken place. Also restrict the engine size of new drivers, very much like they do with motorbikes.

Clive

Thank you i think that not alot of people know about it,it should be better advertised. No offence they seem to more concerned on other issues. 

But thanks for the update i didn't know that

john

I think there was a brief news article about it when it first came out but i agree it needs much more publicity and a lot more people need fining to bring it home.

Also part of your o/p totally agree its insane that a new qualified driver can jump on a motorway within minutes of passing a test, driving at stupid speeds, with no experience of fast moving traffic

Like Steve, took my test in the Army 36 years ago at 17 years of age, 8 weeks intensive driving course HGV3 test first driving a Bedford MK, having passed that, spent 1/2 a day passing the normal driving test in a Land Rover, in the afternoon went onto the M4 for a spell of motorway driving, 2 days later I was learning to drive a Foden for my HGV 2 and a week later a Scammel for my HGV1...... have never driven a lorry since leaving the army apart from when I was asked if I'd drive a carnival float once...

Always wanted to be a coach driver though, no idea why just did.... I think the way I drive now the passengers would be begging me to let them off, saying they'd prefer to walk...

It is my pet hate as well, the amount of times I have had cross 2 lanes of traffic to overtake is high then most often I have 2 lanes to get back to the left lane, undertaking is also high as well as other cars are overtaking the hog so have no choice... Thing that annoys me is they have millions of cameras of the motorway network they should be using those to fine people ...... Yes I also hog the middle lane BUT as soon as a car that is going faster then me comes along I pull into the slow lane to let it pass 

ahh memories

Speedo that goes from left to right, no power steering and a 4 speed box! Rebuilt and re-engined about 4 times and some are still in service today outliving their replacements

mmmmmmmmm I been in the back of 1 of those on what they called A (dubbed into English) "Welcome to the army" ride they drive like a bat out of hell with all the new guys in the back,lets just say we were flying lol

Sorry John, Hi-jacked your thread reminiscing about wagons!  Must be really frustrating these days with so much more traffic, and like you say, middle lane road hogs.

Good idea to make it an offence, but being realistic, with Police forces getting stretched, budgets slashed, this just seems like another unenforceable law, like smoking in cars.