With an estimated 17.6 million leisure journeys expected for the August Bank Holiday weekend, leading breakdown provider Start Rescue advises drivers to avoid “hogging” the middle lane on motorways to reduce congestion.
“Middle-lane hogging worsens delays,” stated Lee Puffett, Managing Director of Start Rescue. “Drivers in the middle lane force others to switch lanes to overtake, creating traffic jams and potential accidents.”
The Highway Code advises motorists to “keep left unless overtaking,” but many still remain in the middle lane for extended periods. Since 2013, this has been a punishable offence, with police able to issue £100 fines and three penalty points.
This year, the Bank Holiday is expected to be particularly busy, with 3 million trips on Friday and a peak of 3.4 million on Saturday. The M5 from Bristol to Devon and the M20 towards Dover are likely to face significant delays, exceeding 40 minutes.
Start Rescue reminds motorists that motorways aren’t the only option. The UK has nearly 30,000 miles of A roads, which can provide a calmer alternative with lighter traffic and more breaks.
Top tips for Bank Holiday drivers:
1. Plan ahead: Check live traffic updates before heading out.
2. Keep left: Use the middle or right lanes only when overtaking.
3. Consider A roads: They can be a viable option for regional trips.
4. Take breaks: Stop every 2 hours or 100 miles to combat fatigue.
Start Rescue has a 4.7-star rating on Trustpilot, a five-star rating from Defaqto, and has been a Which? Recommended Provider for six years. It was also awarded the best Breakdown Cover provider at the Finder Customer Satisfaction Awards 2024. (www.finder.com), scoring 4.9 out of 5 for overall satisfaction with a 94% recommendation rate.
