We received a petition asking:
“We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Erect signs on UK motorways advising drivers to ‘Keep left unless overtaking’.”
Details of Petition:
“A recent group on ‘Facebook’ that outlined the number of people who do not know how to use the motorway correctly (by staying in the middle lane) currently has 20,681 members! This is an alarming number with a very simple solution: Signs along the motorway, even next to ‘Tiredness can kill’ signs saying ‘Keep left unless overtaking’. Australia and New Zealand already have these signs and having driven around both of these countries, the signs seem to work well. We can of course change the way the drivers in this country are taught, but what about all the other drivers that can already drive? Or even foreigners visiting the country? I believe that by placing signs along the motorway would prove more effective than trying to change the way drivers are taught. Let alone the cost. I feel the signs would: a) reduce motorway congestion b) reduce accidents c) reduce ‘road rage’ I hope you will seriously consider this proposal. Yours Sincerely, Cheryl Farnden.”
Read the Government’s response
The Government recognises that poor lane discipline and inappropriate use of the outside lane can cause irritation and contribute to congestion on the motorway. The Highway Code, rule 264, provides clear guidance on driver behaviour with regard to lane discipline, including the use of the outside lanes when driving on motorways: drivers should keep to the left except when overtaking, however continuously changing lanes is not recommended particularly in congested conditions.
We have a strategy of reminding drivers of good practice and promoting good driver behaviour. Recently, we ran a Variable Message Sign (VMS) campaign called ‘Don’t Hog the Middle Lane’ which was well received by the media and general public. Our VMS displayed the ‘Don’t Hog the Middle Lane’ message, as well as ‘Keep Left Unless Overtaking’.
Although the use of VMS as part of a wider campaign appear to be effective, research has shown that overuse of VMS messages can dramatically reduce their impact and therefore it is not effective to display the messages too often.
We do not install fixed signs at entry points to our network or along our routes to advise drivers of information in the Highway Code. This is because there is usually insufficient verge space and these signs could result in drivers not reading other signs with directional and safety critical information.
We aim to give drivers the right information at the right time. A reduction in the amount of information being given to them can reduce driver distraction especially on the approaches to junctions and along routes where the traffic flows are very high. This helps to improve safety and reduce incidents, thereby improving journey time reliability.
We have also launched a DVD called ‘Stay Safe, Keep Moving’, which raises awareness of the problems caused by motorway drivers, including those who hog the middle lane. The films can be viewed on public.tv and there is a link to this on our website at: http://www.highways.gov.uk/knowledge/15794.aspx
The DVD is backed by the AA and the RAC Foundation and was produced by us as part of our commitment to improving road safety and journey reliability. Well-known personalities, such as John Stapleton, present the short documentaries.
The Department for Transport’s publicity activity targeted at motorists and pedestrians is delivered through the THINK! road safety campaign and they have run ads on TV and radio. To support these road safety campaigns, our VMS display the THINK! messages, including ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’, ‘Don’t Phone Whilst Driving’ and ‘Make Time for a Break’. Priorities for the campaign are decided in light of information in the Killed and Serious Injured Statistics, which are published annually.
The Department has developed a two-year communication campaign, where issues such as speed, drink drive, motorcycling, use of seatbelts and mobile phones, plus child and teen road safety are our key priorities. Although our motorways are among the safest roads in the UK, we need to concentrate our publicity resources on areas to help reduce the number of people who are killed or serious injured.
However, we do understand your frustrations and we are trying to raise the profile of other issues, such as inappropriate driver behaviour, through a public relations campaign that has included appearances on GMTV and Richard & Judy. We are also working with local safety action groups to try and reach as many people as possible.
I hope this reassures you that the Government is serious about addressing poor lane discipline. You will find further details of our many initiatives to improve driver behaviour on our website at: http://www.highways.gov.uk/
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