Drivers have been warned that they should not spend too much time in the outside line on motorways after a Mercedes driver was issued a ticket for staying there for five miles. The vehicle was caught on film after being spotted on the M4 by an officer on unmarked motorbikes. The driver was pulled over and handed a penalty on Friday morning. Posting on social media, Thames Valley Police said: “While on patrol on the M4 this morning, one of our unmarked bikers observed this Mercedes travelling in the outside lane without moving back to the correct lane for over five miles.
“The outside lane is to be used for overtaking slower vehicles in the nearside and middle lanes. Likewise, the middle lane is for overtaking slower vehicles in the nearside lane.” The force added: “You should be driving in the leftmost available lane when not overtaking. Unnecessarily remaining in an overtaking lane causes congestion, frustrates other drivers and demonstrates a lack of paying attention to your surroundings!
“Ticket issued.”
Yesterday, police posted that they had issued a ticket to another driver.
The force said: “Another day – another lane hogger on the M4.
“This driver was quite happily sat in lane three of three despite having no vehicles at all to their left. They were also recorded at an average speed of 90mph while being following by the unmarked traffic car.
“All elements of driving require focus and attention. You cannot simply get into the right most lane, put your foot down and forget about what you’re doing until it’s time to leave the motorway again.
“Ticket issued.”
The Highway Code states that motorists should keep in the left lane on a motorway unless overtaking.
It adds: “If you are overtaking, you should return to the left lane when it is safe to do so (see also Rules 267 and 268).
“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.”
Motor Defence Solicitors note that it is an offence to drive a vehicle in the outside lane of a motorway that is towing a trailer, a goods vehicle with a maximum laden weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes, a goods vehicle between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes without a speedlimiter being fitted, a passenger vehicle which can carry 8 or more passengers with a maximum laden weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes, or a passenger vehicle which can carry eight or more passengers with a maximum laden weight between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes without a speedlimiter being fitted.
Breaking the rules can result in a fine up to £2,500 and three points on your license, or discretionary disqualification from driving, the experts add.
