A motorist in Britain has become the first person to be convicted of driving for too long in the middle lane of a motorway.
A van driver received a fine of nearly £1,000 along with five penalty points.
Police in West Yorkshire stopped the Citroen Berlingo van last August after the driver failed to move out of the central lane of the M62.
Traffic police said six drivers were forced to brake and swerve to overtake the van.
Leeds Magistrates’ Court was told that the driver had many chances to get into the inside lane but did not. Instead he was said to have driven in an “inconsiderate manner” for several miles, causing inconvenience to other road users.
The driver did not turn up at court. He was fined £500 in his absence and ordered to pay £400 in costs with a £40 victim surcharge. In addition, he was given five penalty points.
In 2013 new laws introduced spot fines of £100 in an effort to deter drivers from using the middle lane when they could get back into the slower lane.
Researchers claim the problem wastes a third of motorway capacity, and causes congestion and delays. West Yorkshire police said it also can lead to dangerous driving situations.
An AA spokesman said motorists would welcome news that a motorist had been convicted for this offence as “lane hogging causes a huge amount of frustration.”
