09 March 2026
The AA is calling for a national lane discipline campaign after new research* found eight out of 10 drivers regularly see risky lane moves on motorways, with 85% also reporting middle lane hogging and 80% noticing undertaking.
Nearly four in five drivers (79%) regularly see motorists changing lanes without signalling, while 78% report last-minute “swooping” across lanes to make an exit. Even in heavy traffic, three quarters (74%) say they encounter frequent lane changes.
Although there has been a slight fall in some behaviours, levels of poor lane discipline remain excessively high, contributing to congestion, frustration and increased collision risk. On busy multi-lane motorways, even small lapses in lane discipline can trigger sudden braking, bunching traffic and near-miss incidents.
The AA is also highlighting the need for more visible motorway policing and clearer messaging around the rules on keeping left unless overtaking. It says consistent enforcement, alongside public awareness, is key to resetting driver behaviour.
“Poor lane discipline remains far too common. These behaviours disrupt traffic flow and increase the risk of collisions.”
The poor behaviours drivers notice most (national totals)
| Behaviour | % of drivers noticing |
|---|---|
| Middle lane hogging | 85% |
| Undertaking | 80% |
| Changing lanes without signalling | 79% |
| Swooping at the last minute | 78% |
| Changing lanes during heavy traffic | 74% |
Smart motorways and trust in lane one
The AA believes part of the problem may lie in drivers’ reluctance to use the inside lane on so-called ‘smart’ motorways, particularly all lane running schemes.
Concerns about breakdown safety and stopped vehicles in live lanes mean some motorists choose to drive in lanes two and three, even when lane one is clear. While often rooted in caution, this behaviour can disrupt traffic flow and increase the likelihood of undertaking. The result is slower-moving traffic in the middle lanes and unnecessary undertaking on the inside.
The AA says rebuilding confidence in using lane one - alongside clearer messaging about motorway rules - should form part of any national lane discipline campaign.
- East Midlands records the highest level of middle lane hogging (88%).
- South East records the highest level of undertaking (84%).
- North West and Yorkshire & Humberside stand out for signalling and lane-changing issues.
- London and the North East consistently report lower levels across several behaviours.
Motorway-heavy regions naturally report higher levels of poor lane discipline due to greater exposure to multi-lane roads. Drivers in these areas spend more time on high-speed carriageways where lane discipline plays a crucial role in maintaining traffic flow.
The UK has around 2,330 miles of motorways, with Scotland accounting for 239 miles, Wales 133 miles and Northern Ireland just 65 miles.
The law on lane discipline
Whilst middle lane hogging is not a specified offence, police can issue a £100 fine three penalty points for careless driving. The Highway Code says drivers should keep left unless overtaking.
Undertaking is not illegal in itself; it is discouraged outside slow-moving traffic as it can be unexpected and dangerous.
Failing to signal or cutting across lanes increases the risk of collisions and sudden braking incidents. Many drivers remain unclear on when lane discipline crosses the line into careless driving.
AA DriveTech delivers motorway awareness and driver improvement courses across the UK and says a consistent theme is confusion around lane use - particularly when to return to lane one and when undertaking becomes unsafe. It believes clearer messaging and refresher training could significantly improve motorway behaviour.
Jack Cousens, The AA’s head of roads policy, said: “The fact that eight in 10 drivers report seeing risky lane moves shows that poor lane discipline remains far too common. These behaviours disrupt traffic flow and increase the risk of collisions.
“We believe it’s time for a renewed national focus on lane discipline which makes clear that middle lane hogging and careless lane changes are not acceptable.
“Having more traffic officers and police in cars acts as a deterrent to poor behaviour and reassures drivers that the rules are being enforced. Lane discipline is fundamental to motorway safety, and better compliance would reduce congestion and cut risk for everyone.”
The issue has even drawn comment from Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander. During a recent Q&A hosted by The AA, she shared her concerns about middle lane hogging, reflecting the level of frustration shared by drivers and policymakers alike.
* Yonder received 13,250 responses from AA members to its online poll between the 15th to 21st January 2026. Yonder is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.
Full Q&A with Heidi Alexander here