Why has the Highway Code been changed in relation to lane discipline?

There has been much in the press recently about the Centre Lane Owners Group on motorways. The 1999 edition of the Highway Code stated in Rule 238 on Lane Discipline: "If you are overtaking a number of slower moving vehicles it may be safer to remain in the centre or outside lanes until the manoeuvre is completed rather than continually changing lanes". I always thought this was very sensible advice particularly when driving at night. Any idea why it was omitted from later editions of the Highway Code?

Asked on 9 November 2013 by HF, Farnborough

Answered by Honest John

Because it encourages lane hogging. The most recent 2007 Highway Code states: “You should always drive in the left hand lane when the road ahead is clear. If you are overtaking a number of slower-moving vehicles you should return to the left-hand lane as soon as you are safely past.”

Every police traffic car, whether liveried or in plain clothes, has forward facing video equipment. So if one of these gets behind some dork who is driving inconsiderately by hogging the centre lane mile after mile it can record the evidence and the officers can do him for it. Obviously, there are circumstances when it is better to stay in lane two, especially when passing a lot of consecutive junctions where lane one serves as a feeder and exit lane.

Tags: highway code lane discipline motorways

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