When driving, there are plenty of things that can lead to fines, from speeding and drinking to driving without insurance.
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.
