A crackdown on lane-hogging and dangerous motorway manoeuvres is being called for by the AA after new research revealed that eight in 10 drivers regularly witness risky behaviour on UK roads.
The study found that 85% of drivers regularly see middle lane hogging, while 80% notice undertaking and 79% report last-minute lanes changes without signalling.
Even in heavy traffic, three-quarters (74%) say they encounter frequent lane changes.
Levels of poor lane discipline remain excessively high, contributing to congestion, frustration and increased collision risk. On busy multi-lane motorways, even small lapses in lane discipline can trigger sudden braking, bunching traffic and near-miss incidents.
The findings follow recent comments from transport secretary Heidi Alexander, who shared her concerns about middle lane hogging during a recent Q&A hosted by the AA, reflecting the level of frustration shared by drivers and policymakers alike.
AA head of roads policy Jack Cousens said: “These behaviours disrupt traffic flow and increase the risk of collisions. We believe it’s time for a renewed national focus on lane discipline which makes clear that middle lane hogging and careless lane changes are not acceptable.
“Having more traffic officers and police in cars acts as a deterrent to poor behaviour and reassures drivers that the rules are being enforced. Lane discipline is fundamental to motorway safety, and better compliance would reduce congestion and cut risk for everyone.”
