Oxford News
Drivers warned over middle lane hogging leading to fines
However, there is a common error many drivers make daily, which research shows 94% do not know can lead to fines.
Middle lane hogging, when drivers sit in the middle lane of a dual carriageway or motorway despite the inside lane being empty, is something many drivers are seen doing every day.
Not only is it common, but many drivers say it is among their biggest frustrations on the road, and even undertake in some scenarios, which is also frowned upon.
What does the Highway Code say about middle lane hogging?
Rule 264 of the Highway Code states that drivers must keep in the left lane unless overtaking.
It adds that if you are overtaking, you should return to the left lane when it is safe to do so.
It also warns about stationary traffic on the hard shoulder.
It adds: “Be aware of emergency services, traffic officers, recovery workers and other people or vehicles stopped on the hard shoulder or in an emergency area.
“If you are driving in the left lane, and it is safe to do so, you should move into the adjacent lane to create more space between your vehicle and the people and stopped vehicles.”
New research from Nextbase found that three in five UK drivers don’t know middle lane hogging is illegal, while 94% are unaware it can lead to a £100 fine and three penalty points.
One in six drivers also admits they naturally gravitate towards the middle lane on a clear road.
Bryn Brooker, Head of Road Safety at Nextbase, said: “Middle lane driving doesn’t get the same attention as using a phone at the wheel or tailgating, but the risks are still high.
“When drivers sit in the middle lane unnecessarily, others are forced into overtaking manoeuvres they wouldn’t otherwise need to make, and that creates danger.
“The fact that most people don’t even know it’s illegal means it goes unchallenged every day on Britain’s motorways.”
Nextbase also found that drivers actually see middle lane hogging as one of the most frustrating and dangerous habits on the road, with 53% saying they believe it is more dangerous than using a mobile phone while driving.
Meanwhile, new data from vehicle finance provider First Response Finance, also found that 24% of drivers said that it was their most common cause of road rage.
Drivers warned over middle lane hogging leading to fines
Drivers have been warned that middle lane hogging can actually lead to being fined.
George Penny, EV Expert at The Solar Co, said: “Staying in the middle lane on a motorway when the inside lane is clear is not just potentially frustrating for other drivers, it’s against the law.
“Under legislation introduced in 2013, officers can hand out an on-the-spot penalty of up to £100 and three penalty points if you’re caught unnecessarily occupying the middle lane.
“Remaining in the middle lane can clog motorways and force other drivers into potentially dangerous overtaking manoeuvres.”
Drivers have also been debating what they think is worse between middle lane hogging and undertaking.
In a post on the r/drivingUK group on Reddit, drivers were asked to share their thoughts on both.
One wrote: “Middle lane [is worse], lack of due care and attention, people undertake because they’re frustrated.
“Except lorries that get stuck behind them.
“Solve middle lane issues and undertaking also goes away.”
Another agreed, saying: “Middle land hogging creates congestion, delaying hundreds of other road users and forces other users to navigate around them with unnecessary lane changes, and encourages more dangerous driving such as undertaking.
“Undertaking is on the surface more dangerous, but if it weren’t for lane hoggers people wouldn’t undertake, so lane hoggers are worse.”
A third added: “Undertaking is wilful disobedience at this point.
“I don’t care whether it’s legal or not, if the police and government aren’t going to get a grip of the issue then I’m undertaking for the foreseeable future.”
The Highway Code states that you should not overtake on the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake.
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However, it adds: “In congested conditions, where adjacent lanes of traffic are moving at similar speeds, traffic in left-hand lanes may sometimes be moving faster than traffic to the right.
“In these conditions, you may keep up with the traffic in your lane even if this means passing traffic in the lane to your right.
“Do not weave in and out of lanes to overtake.”
What do you think is worse, middle lane hogging or undertaking? Let us know in the comments.
Bees had decided to create a nest inside one of the postboxes at Carfax in Oxford city centre and were determined to stay there.
As you can see in Picture 1, beekeeper Bill Humphries donned his protective gear in June 1992 to remove them.
Shoppers no doubt steered clear as he got to work, making sure they didn’t get stung.
We don’t know if Oxford Mail photographer John Lawrence was similarly protected – if he wasn’t, we assume he stayed well clear and used his long lens.
Once Mr Humphries had removed the bees from the right hand box, he was happy, face mast removed, to have his picture taken posting his own letters.
But to be sure, we note in Picture 2, he chose the left hand ‘bee-less’ postbox!
Mr Humphries may have had his feet on the ground, but that wasn’t the case at Enstone, near Chipping Norton, in 1978 – see Pictures 3 and 4.
The Oxford Mail reported: “Bats in the belfry are commonplace, but at St Kenelm’s church at Enstone, a swarm of bees made its home in the bell tower.
“A ‘congregation’ of about 20,000 bees settled in one of the highest and most inaccessible corners of the church – inside the cavity of a two-feet thick wall.
“Well protected and precariously perched on top of a ladder, retired sub-postmaster Hedley Clarke attempted to coax the swarm out of the wall.
“Helped by Richard Harding, from the village post office, he cut out a section of the nest and put it into a box on the floor of the bell tower.
“But even when the bees decided to abandon their cavity home, Mr Clarke still faced the problem of lowering the box and its contents from the top of the tower to the ground.
“He managed to get the bees down the staircase and took them two and a half miles away.”
Mr Clarke, a keen beekeeper, who had six hives producing honey, said: “I got stung only twice.”
The Oxford Mail headline above the story read: ‘They’ve buzzed off.’
Picture 5 shows Wolvercote beekeeper Mr E D Williams, without protection, confidently removing a swarm which invaded the Oxford University cricket ground in the Parks in 1962.
The bees held up play in the University’s match against Worcestershire as they buzzed across the field towards the pavilion which quickly emptied.
They then settled on a gate before Mr Williams collected them. He later removed a second swarm from St Hugh’s College.
In Picture 6, we see a less dramatic scene – bee enthusiasts at Blenheim Palace in 1967 looking at an ‘apidictor’, which measures and records sounds in a hive.
Father Clive Dytor, parish priest for Chipping Norton and Charlbury, visited The Fox Inn in Middle Barton, which is set to reopen on Saturday, July 18.
The pub, which was closed in 2023, has been taken over by businessman Tony O’Sullivan after a community campaign to ensure its reopening.
The Fox Inn, a building of historical significance, has been part of the village since at least 1809.
A spokesperson for the pub said on social media: “Tony was honoured to welcome Father Clive to The Fox today for a special blessing of the pub.
“As a proud Catholic, Tony was keen to have The Fox blessed as we continue its restoration and prepare to welcome the community through its doors once again.
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“The blessing marks an important milestone in our journey, and we hope it brings prosperity, good fortune, and happiness to everyone who visits.
“We are grateful to Father Clive for taking the time to visit and share this special moment with us.”
Father Clive was awarded the Military Cross in the Falklands War after leading his Royal Marines unit in an assault on an Argentine machine gun position.
He became an Anglican priest and a public school headmaster before converting to Catholicism.
The former England footballer, who co-owns Inter Miami CF, met the squad in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with sons Cruz and Romeo ahead of the match against Norway.
Beckham was seen warmly greeting players, including Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Harry Kane, with hugs and handshakes.
His visit came on the eve of the highly anticipated last-eight encounter in the Miami heat at Hard Rock Stadium.
The England squad arrived in Florida on Friday and began training at Inter Miami’s facilities.
Beckham, 51, showed his support by attending the training session and speaking to the players in the gym before they hit the field.
The former Manchester United and England great, who earned 115 caps for his country, has been seen at numerous World Cup matches this summer.
Since his move from Real Madrid to the LA Galaxy in 2007, Beckham has been a significant influence on Major League Soccer (MLS).
His unique deal allowed him to purchase an expansion club at a discounted price, which led to the creation of Inter Miami.
Despite some challenges since the team’s first season in 2020, the arrival of Lionel Messi has helped propel the club to new heights.
However, Beckham’s day was marked by the absence of his eldest son, Brooklyn, who was noticeably missing from the family gathering.
The match against Norway is set to take place today, with England fans eagerly anticipating the outcome.
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