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BMW driver causes anger after 'hogging' middle lane of empty motorway

A picture of a car 'hogging' the motorway middle lane at 5am. (SWNS)
A picture of a car 'hogging' the motorway middle lane at 5am. (SWNS)

A BMW driver has caused outrage after they were pictured "hogging" the middle lane of an empty motorway at 5am.

The image on the M5 was taken by a frustrated Dave Harford who pleaded with drivers to stay on the left.

After posting the picture on social media, he explained the vehicle had been in the middle lane for over a mile while doing around 50mph.

He said that it was an example of similar cases he sees on a daily basis and called lane hogging "illegal" as it forced cars to enter the outside lane to overtake.

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Dave Harford posted the image on Twitter. (SWNS)
Dave Harford posted the image on Twitter. (SWNS)

Dave, 43, from Worcester, tweeted: "Traffic was behind this vehicle and said traffic had to move to lane 3 to go past him - causing more risk.

"Yes. The car was a BMW, but they’re aren’t the only ones who do it.

"People need to take responsibility for their actions and stop blaming others and finding excuses.

"It’s lane hogging. It’s illegal & causes congestion when lots of traffic is around."

A critic of the BMW driver wrote: "The lanes to the right are overtaking lanes. If you're not overtaking, you shouldn't be in it. The clue is in the name..."

Another person added: "Middle Lane hoggers are just poor drivers with no confidence to change lanes confidently, shouldn’t be on the motorway."

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One person said: "As someone who drives a vehicle that can't go into lane three, I find middle lane hoggers really annoying.

"Especially when they then sit at 55-60 and won't pull over so you have to hang back since I can't undertake or undertake since both are illegal."

Some defended the driver, with one user posting: "This is not an example of hogging as there are no other vehicles wanting/needing to occupy that lane."

The RAC says lane hogging is an example of “careless driving” that could see you fined up to £100.

The website explains: "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.

"New laws introduced in 2013 give police officers the power to hand out on-the-spot fines of £100 and three penalty points, meaning failing to keep left on the motorway could hit you in the pocket."