The AA is calling for a national motorway lane discipline campaign after new research revealed how frequently drivers witness poor lane behaviour on UK motorways.
Its survey found that eight in 10 motorists regularly see risky lane manoeuvres, with middle lane hogging, undertaking and unsignalled lane changes among the most commonly reported problems.
What drivers are seeing
According to the survey, the behaviours drivers notice most are:
- Middle lane hogging – 85%
- Undertaking – 80%
- Changing lanes without signalling – 79%
- Last-minute lane changes to exit – 78%
- Frequent lane changes in heavy traffic – 74%
Even minor lapses in lane discipline can quickly disrupt traffic flow on busy motorways, leading to sudden braking, bunching traffic and near misses.
Why drivers avoid lane one
The AA believes concerns about smart motorway safety may also be affecting lane behaviour.
Some drivers are reluctant to use the inside lane on all-lane running motorways because of fears about stopped vehicles. This can lead to unnecessary congestion in lanes two and three and encourages undertaking when the inside lane remains clear.
Rebuilding confidence in lane one use, alongside clearer messaging about motorway rules, is a key part of the organisation’s proposed motorway lane discipline campaign.
Regional differences
The survey also highlighted regional patterns:
- East Midlands reported the highest levels of middle lane hogging
- South East had the highest reports of undertaking
- North West and Yorkshire & Humber reported more signalling and lane change issues
- London and the North East recorded lower levels overall
Areas with more motorway mileage naturally see more reports of lane discipline problems.
What the law says
While middle lane hogging is not a specific offence, drivers can receive three penalty points and a £100 fine if police consider the behaviour careless driving.
The Highway Code states drivers should keep left unless overtaking, and although undertaking is not illegal in itself, it is discouraged outside slow-moving traffic.
Driver improvement courses run by AA DriveTech suggest many drivers remain unsure about when they should return to lane one or when undertaking becomes unsafe.
For instructors, this highlights the importance of covering motorway positioning and lane discipline clearly with pupils before they begin independent motorway driving.
Jack Cousens, the AA’s head of roads policy, said:
“The fact that eight in 10 drivers report seeing risky lane moves shows that poor lane discipline remains far too common. These behaviours disrupt traffic flow and increase the risk of collisions.”
