In Theory, Driving to Improve
August 17th, 2007
Road safety claim for extra multi-choice questions for learner drivers...
Eviction Notice for Centre Lane Squatters
August 10th, 2007
Will new Highways Agency DVD really stop bad motorway driving?
Less Traffic Cops Equals More Car Cloning
June 22nd, 2007
New figures show a 25% increase in Car Cloning Crime over the last year.
Minister admits not enough Traffic Cops
June 15th, 2007
Britain’s Transport Minister has conceded that there are not enough Police on the roads...
August 10th, 2007
Adrian Butterworth
The Highways Agency has launched a new DVD ‘Stay Safe, Keep Moving’ designed to get drivers out of the centre lane. They claim that these centre lane squatters cause congestion, driver irritation and compromise safety. But does a DVD go far enough?
At the root of centre lane squatting is the perception that the motorways have a slow lane, middle lane and fast lane. But lanes two and three are in fact for overtaking only and the Highway Code states that drivers should return to lane one as soon as it is safe to do so.
At the moment it is not illegal to remain in the centre lane, despite the Highway Code. However, the Police could prosecute for careless or inconsiderate driving under the Road Traffic Act 1991.
The Highways Agency cannot get involved in enforcement and speed cameras are currently not able to detect centre land squatters. As Police numbers dwindle on the highways, who will prevent the problem from getting worse? Ex-Chief Superintendent Gerry Toms believes that the Transport Minister was unfair to blame the Police.
Gerry Toms, Ex-Chief Superintendent, South Wales
'...I think that it is a bit unfair to lay the blame at the doorstep of Chief Constables...'
Video
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Highways Agency Traffic Officers now manage Highways
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