Drivers: Penalties over use of middle lane

Those individuals who stay in the middle lane on motorways are to be penalised

By Nicole Hamer |

12:25 05 June 2013

Drivers may be hit with instant penalties if they hog the middle lane and follow other drivers too closely on motorways, it has emerged.

This relates to the fact that the police could give drivers a £100 fine for this, as well as three points on their license. This is in connection with government plans. It would be expected to take effect as of July 2013.

Police officers may also be able to penalise drivers when it comes to the use of junctions and roundabouts. This relates to drivers failing to give way at junctions and driving in incorrect lanes when using a roundabout.

When it comes to people using mobile phones whilst driving, and also not putting their seatbelts on, the charges for this are expected to largely increase. The charge would be £100.

The plans come as a bid to tackle driving problems that usually go through the courts.

They may not be welcomed by all, but one reason behind them is understood to loosen the time that police have to spend on court cases.

Stephen Hammond, the Transport Minister, said to the Daily Telegraph: “Careless drivers are a menace and their negligence puts innocent people's lives at risk.

“That is why we are making it easier for the police to tackle problem drivers by allowing them to immediately issue a fixed penalty notice rather than needing to take every offender to court.”

It is understood that drivers will be able to appeal in court in light of any penalties as normal.

And for those cases that are more serious, they will carry on being able to be presented in court. However, it is understood the individual could be confronted with more expensive fees and larger offences.