If you cant find a hotel, its a good idea to sleep in your car. Which vehicles are not allowed to use the right hand lane of a three lane motorway? Emergency vehicles are only allowed to exceed the posted speed limit if their lights and sirens are on. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. The Highway Code explains you should keep in the left lane unless overtaking on a motorway. Research also revealed the hot spots where motorists are most likely to encounter middle lane driving. If you drive in this lane, you have to speed 5 miles faster than the speed limit so you dont slow other cars. View our online Press Pack. The right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes . In the UK, overtaking is not allowed according to the Highway Code. For many motorists, staying in the middle lane is done out of laziness rather than a road necessity. 312. Rule 264 of the Highway Code states: You should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear. Similarly, if you then need to overtake traffic in the middle lane, use the outside. Its possible to pass on the right on the Highway Traffic Act in Ontario. "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.. The fastest lane in traffic is the one with the least amount of cars. For those already in the middle lane, for example, if you have just overtaken a car, it might be worth staying in the middle lane until you are past the slip road. Is it illegal to drive in the left lane in Alberta? If you have to overtake slower moving traffic, stay in the left lane. When offenders fail to keep left, they risk the law and the annoyance of other drivers. However middle-lane driving might be justified during periods of heavy traffic. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Unless you're in the left hand lane and can get out safely on the left hand side, stay in the car with your seatbelt on and dial 999. "Its important that we increase awareness of the rules and penalties, primarily because they exist to keep road users safe but also drivers face serious fines and endorsements that will stay on their record for four years. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. This part of the motorway the hard shoulder is a last resort where you can stop in the event of a breakdown or emergency. A common habit of lorry drivers is flashing overtaking vehicles to let them know that they have safely passed the lorry. This is therefore still causing hold-ups for other motorists. If your vehicle has a problem, where it is unsafe to continue driving, such as an engine failure or a flat tyre, then you can drive down the hard shoulder as far as the next emergency telephone. Can you go over the speed limit in the fast lane? Explanation: When theres no traffic ahead of you, you should always drive in the left-hand lane. This is because the habit is classed as careless driving, much like driving too close to another vehicle. And as many as 50 per cent of us are guilty of the ultimate motoring sin. In both scenarios, the overtaking driver needs to sound their horn. If you need to overtake several vehicles then stay in the middle lane. Strictly Necessary Cookie are enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. a goods vehicle with a maximum laden weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes, which is required to be fitted with a speed limiter. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Middle lane hogging happens when a driver ignores part 264 of the Highway Code and stays in the middle lane on a motorway for longer than they need to, and not moving back over to the left when it is clear. The vast majority of motorists passed their test with no experience of driving on motorways. Three-lane motorway you should stay in the left-hand lane unless you need to overtake slower moving traffic. A. Its not likely that you would be fined for driving at 50 mph because your friend is the support vehicle for you. Your wheels are turned to the left, so your car cant roll into traffic. While learners can now get motorway experience, using a motorway hasnt been introduced as part of the practical driving test, although its covered in the theory section. Is middle-lane hogging illegal? You should drive in the left-hand lane unless slower traffic ahead means you need to overtake. Put the hammer down (third person singular simple present puts the hammer down, present participle putting the hammer down, simple past and past participle put the hammer down) is a way to drive quickly. It can also be acceptable when approaching a slip road joining the motorway, although technically traffic joining the motorway has to give way to vehicles already on the motorway. Each lane to the right is numbered sequentially 2 through n. The left lane is commonly referred to as the fast lane, but that is not an accurate description of the lanes purpose. If youve overtaken a car in the inside lane and are approaching a junction, in some circumstances it might be worth remaining in the middle lane until youre past the slip road and its safe to move over. On two-lane highways, the limit is generally 55 mph. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. The middle lane is the best place to go to do this. Go Ahead signals should not be given by people other than the driver. Its not illegal to overtake on the right if youre on a highway or expressway with four or more lanes. Overtaking on the motorway Can lorries use the 3rd lane on a 4 lane motorway? Merging. (Watch out, though, CHP sometimes does speed limit enforcement blitzes.). It's common and only considered mildly rude. When traffic lights are out of order, you should treat the junction as an unmarked crossroads which means that no one has priority. The Anti-Distracted Driving Act (ADDA) prohibits the use of mobile communication devices and electronic entertainment gadgets while driving a motor vehicle. If someone else has already started to overtake you. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. When analysing more than 70 hours of motorway footage across the UK, research commissioned by Direct Line Car Insurance found just 23 per cent of drivers stick to the Highway Code and travel predominately in the inside lane, while 27 per cent drive in the outside overtaking lane. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Driving in the middle lane could land you with a fine, Credit: Credit: Matthew Chattle / Alamy Stock Photo, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), "I know that I will have to pull out to overtake lorries or other slow vehicles further up the road" - 43%, "I dont have to change lanes as much" - 33%, "I prefer the visibility in the middle lane" - 22%, "I drive at the maximum speed limit so no one should be overtaking me" - 11%, "I prefer not to drive next to the kerb or central reservation" - 9%, "Regulation says that drivers should be in the middle lane" - 7%, "Everybody else drives in the middle lane" - 7%, "Nobody else drives in the middle lane so its clearer" - 6%. If you encounter a middle lane hogger, resist the urge to flash or beep them. The right-hand lanes are there to allow you to overtake a vehicle which is moving slower than you. Three-lane motorway - you should stay in the left-hand lane unless you need to overtake slower moving traffic. If you drive recklessly, you could get a fixed penalty notice. If you whizz past a lane hugger from the left, it may well be deemed "driving without due care" or "dangerous driving" and you may end up in the court. In California, the law that allows officers to pull drivers over for dawdling in the left lane is in Vehicle Code, Section 21654. The Highway Code advises against that. A study conducted byLeeds Universityexplored why some of us like to sit in the middle lane. Recent Posts On Sunday night, up to six inches of snow could fall in London and . Why Do Cross Country Runners Have Skinny Legs? Hogging the middle lane on the motorway could cost you 100 - yes, even when the road is empty . TimesMojo is a social question-and-answer website where you can get all the answers to your questions. The traffic will be allowed to merge if the left is moved. The speed limit on most California freeways is 65, but plenty of drivers in the fast lane go 75 mph. However, it might still be wise to move into the middle lane to give cars room to join. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Thencarefully overtake them on the right-hand side. A common problem arising from misuse of the left lane is speeding and tailgating. Which lane should you use on a motorway? In all 50 states, it is illegal to drive in the left-hand lane with certain exceptions. 1. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Sometimes referred to as a fast lane, a passing lane is used for extended periods of time for traffic or fast traffic. We use marketing cookies to help us improve the relevancy of communication and marketing campaigns you receive. What is the slowest speed you can drive on a highway? Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. When there are no cars to overtake on the left, you have to drive in the middle lane. How fast can you go in the fast lane? Since 2013, police have had the power to hand out on-the-spot fines for drivers cruising along in the middle lane. We hope our guide to motorway lanes and how to use them properly will help you stay safe on the motorway in the future. Lane one the left lane is for routine driving. Can You Have A Washer And Dryer In A Yurt? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. You should never stop on the motorway unless it is in an emergency - that includes the hard shoulder. What they don't realise is this is actually illegal. The limit is 60 mph for caravans and trailers. 70 mph (113 km/h) is the maximum speed on the West Coast and the inland eastern states, while 75 to 80 mph (120 to129 km/h) is the maximum on the inland western states. Middle lane hogging is considered to be a traffic offence under the careless driving legislation. The lane on a multilane reserved for the slower drivers is referred to as a granny lane. The first thing to remember on entering a motorway is that theres no such thing as a fast lane or a slow lane. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This website uses insight and analytics cookies, such as Google Analytics, to collect anonymous information about site usage. A smart motorway is a section that uses Active Traffic Management to reduce congestion in particularly busy areas. If you drive on a multi-lane road and the lane to the left is moving at a faster speed than the lanes to the right, its legal to take the nearside. Even if you dont turn left or pass another car, the left lane is the right choice. Staying safe on the motorway It is even a finable offence for a driver to speed up or block another car from overtaking or merging. Rule 162 states that the driver must ensure that the road is clear before they overtake and that road users are not starting to overtake them. When driving along a three-lane motorway, rule 264 of the Highway Code states: "You should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear. The leftmost lane in a freeway is supposed to be the fastest lane. The 70mph limit is the front line of motorway safety, the importance of which is underlined by heavier penalties for speeding than on other roads. The NSW Road Rules state that on multi-lane roads with a speed limit of more than 80km/h, motorists must not drive in the right-hand lane unless they are: . The speed limit on most California freeways is 65, but plenty of drivers in the fast lane go 75 mph. Therefore, its easier to sit in the middle lane as you arent as likely to get stuck behind slow traffic and not to speed either. Can a motorhome use the outside lane on a motorway? Is it illegal to drive in the left lane in New York? 20. Middle lane hogging occurs when a driver ignores part 264 of the Highway Code and stays in the middle lane on a motorway for longer than they need to, and not moving back over to the left when its clear. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The outside lane is for overtaking only. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Some motorways have just two lanes, like a dual carriageway, with the right-hand lane for overtaking. You might also want to consider the Pass Plus voluntary scheme, which includes motorway driving. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. When using lane numbers, the far left lane shall be called Lane 1. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. If you stay in the middle lane you could prevent other motorists from overtaking behind you, causing traffic flow issues. Why Does The Government Regulate Legal Monopolies? Is it illegal to stay in the outside lane? 1. 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. Generally, those exceptions are when a driver is passing or overtaking a vehicle or making a turn. You don't have to leave the left-hand lane as you overtake individual vehicles. If youre faced with a middle-lane hogger, be aware that it can be dangerous and you can be fined if you do it. Once you have overtaken in the middle lane, you should return to the left lane when it. According to rule 125 of the Highway Code, the speed limit is the absolute maximum you should drive at. This includes driving in the middle lane when there are no cars to overtake on the left. This could land you with a 100 fine and three penalty points if you are given a fixed penalty notice. Other motorists claimed they stay in the middle lane just so they don't have to change lanes as much, while almost a quarter do so because they think it's faster than driving in the inside lane. Traveling at a faster pace than traffic. The 70mph speed limit on motorways was introduced in 1965 because of the high number of collisions caused by drivers going as fast as they liked. You should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear. Sticking to your lane will keep you safe. Lanes on smart motorways can open or close automatically to improve traffic flow. Vehicles will often be told to stay in lane by overhead gantries. Driving in the middle lane when you are not overtaking another vehicle, also known as lane hogging, is an offence. Get yourself and your family to a safe place beside the motorway and call for breakdown assistance on your mobile phone. What are the consequences if you tailgate? Many drivers default to speeds closer to 80mph, lulling themselves into a false sense of security by the fact that relatively few drivers caught driving between 70 and 80mph are prosecuted. Which Teeth Are Normally Considered Anodontia? There are three. Yes, it is an offence, although it comes under careless driving, along with tailgating, accidentally running a red light and even being distracted by eating or drinking. B) Yes, since there is no oncoming traffic. Which lane on the highway is the fastest? There's a balance and you shouldn't move back for 30s and then move out again. Pennsylvania law states that driving in left lane is against the law if you are taking and passing another vehicle. Another reason may be the fact that changing lanes is deemed to be one of the riskiest parts of driving on the motorway. Complete the form below for your chance to win 100 M&S vouchers. On multi-lane roads, you should be in the left lane when passing or preparing to turn left, and in the right lane when turning right or preparing to enter or leave the roadway. It claims that the older you get, the more likely you are to stick to the centre of the road. Which lane should you use on a motorway? Is It Illegal To Cruise In The Left Lane? The Highway Code explains you should keep in the left lane unless overtaking on a motorway. A motorway on a steep hill may have an additional crawler lane for heavy vehicles, which lose a lot of speed as they climb up a sharp gradient. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Middle lane hogging is when drivers stay too long in the middle lane, Credit: Credit: Matthew Chattle / Alamy Stock Photo, Driver caught hogging middle lane on M6 forces other drivers to dangerously undertake, fines for drivers cruising along in the middle lane, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Drivers are encouraged to stay in the right lane on highways with two-lanes in the province, as the left lane is seen as the passing lane. Once you have overtaken in the middle lane, you should return to the left lane when it is safe to do so. Why are there 3 lanes on a motorway? I believe the penalty for centre lane hogging is 100 + 3 points. Is left lane for passing only in Texas? What is the youngest driving age in America? When you cant see the road ahead, overtake when you can. New motorway rules introduced in 2013 mean that, those determined to be tailgating the car in front or lane hogging in any other lane than the left, can face an on-the-spot-fine of 100 and three points on their licence. If they're in lane 1, and come up behind a lorry doing 56mph, they don't find a gap, adjust speed and pull out to overtake. Driving in these lanes could land you with a fine of up to 100. On some types of smart motorway, what used to be the hard shoulder becomes lane one, and is only closed to traffic in the event of an incident. All lanes have a speed limit of 70mph unless otherwise indicated. If you see a crawler lane sign you can expect a long uphill gradient and you should be prepared to change down a gear or two to maintain your speed. It's not as scary as you think. Is it illegal to drive in the left lane in PA? Rule 268 of the Highway Code states: "Do not overtake on the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake. Choose a safe speed and use the left-hand lane of the motorway unless you are overtaking. But is it illegal to middle lane hog? If you are a driver of an HGV which weighs over 7.5 tonnes, you must not drive in the right hand lane of a motorway if there are three or more lanes. It is best to stay in the left hand lane (lane 1), unless you are overtaking, and try to avoid regular lane changing. a goods vehicle having a maximum laden weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes. All lanes have a speed limit of 70mph unless otherwise indicated. Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences! Lane two - the middle lane - and lane three - the right-hand lane - are for overtaking. The . But if you are already in an empty lane on the left, doing 70mph, lanes two, three (and four) are busy, and vehicles in lane two are doing 60mph, it's both dangerous and plain daft to move to lane three to overtake. The R.S.O. To do this you should use the middle lane. Rule 268 states that you should not overtake on the left or move to a lane on the left to overtake. At Heathrow, at least 48 flights were cancelled on Sunday morning, with Brits reporting 'huge queues' at the London airport. On a three-lane carriageway, you may stay in the middle lane when traffic is slower on the inside lane, but you should return to the inside lane when you have passed them. A Beginners Guide to Motorway Lanes and how to use them. Its fine to take a nap in your car if youre tired, because driving tired can be fatal. You will. No one is really 100 per cent crystal clear as to why people hog the middle lane of the motorway. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. To help alleviate anxieties and correct misconceptions about motorway driving, weve put together this Beginners Guide to Motorway Lanes to help drivers use them safely. If you use it always move back into the middle lane and then into the inside lane as soon as you can, but without cutting in. The first thing to remember on entering a motorway is that there's no such thing as a fast lane or a slow lane. There is a minimum age to drive in the US. If overtaking would cause you to break the speed limit. Next ArticleHow many city are there in Region 2? Others have four lanes. Who has priority when traffic lights are out of order? Keep Your Focus Ahead (Peripheral Vision) To get a clear idea of what the lane center is, you should focus on things far away from you. Now while it's in itself not illegal, it can be dangerous. When joining a motorway you have to give way to other vehicles already on the motorway. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. When driving along a three-lane motorway, rule 264 of the Highway Code states: "You should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear. ", Fans are all saying the same thing as Mbappe chats to Lloris before Kane penalty, Two kids feared dead & 4 fighting for life after falling into freezing lake', Im a makeup artist, these two mistakes are making you look older, Kane breaks silence over missed penalty as England crash out of World Cup, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. As many as 51 per cent of drivers on the road in the North East of England hogged the middle lane, while the west Midlands also saw almost half of their road users commit the offence. Who has priority when traffic lights are out of order? youll see this sign. C) Yes, in light . B) Yes. But what about the rest of us who faced the daunting experience of venturing onto a motorway for the first time without the benefit of advice and guidance from a qualified expert on motorway safety? "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. When there isnt an on-coming vehicle and space is at a premium, take it. IF there's one thing that infuriates British motorists, it's other drivers hogging the middle lane of the motorway. The Highway Code states that do not overtake on the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake. If the lane in front of the car is moving faster than the lane in front of it, there are exceptions. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. 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