New motorway signs pilot urges drivers to 'keep left'

The Highways Agency has begun a week-long pilot for two new motorway message signs which are designed to urge safer and better use of road capacity.

Two new safety messages - urging motorway drivers to 'Keep Left Unless Overtaking' and 'Don't Hog the Middle Lane' – have been in use on the M1, M6, M18 and M62 from 10am this morning.

Thirty selected motorway message signs will display one of the two messages between October 11 and 17. Motorway signs in Cheshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and South Yorkshire will be used in the campaign.

David Jamieson, the Minister for Roads, said: "We are committed to tackling congestion and making our roads safer. Poor lane discipline causes frustration to drivers and can disrupt the flow of traffic.

"We have all seen people on the motorway sitting in the wrong lane and experienced the inconvenience and congestion it causes. Just sticking to the simple rule of staying left unless overtaking could bring real benefits to all road users."

The results of the week-long trial will be studied by the Highways Agency. The Agency will then consider how safety messages such as 'Keep Left Unless Overtaking' and 'Don't Hog the Middle Lane' can be used most effectively on its road network.

Ginny Clarke, the Agency's Chief Highways Engineer, said: "We want drivers to think about how they are using motorway lanes. Are they taking care when overtaking, signalling in good time and keeping a safe distance between their vehicle and others?

"Or are they spending too long in the middle or outside lanes, and causing frustration to other drivers when they could safely return to an inside lane?"

The messages are designed to remind drivers to safely move back into the left lane after overtaking, in accordance with Highway Code rule 238 – which advises motorway drivers to keep in a left-hand lane unless they are overtaking slower-moving vehicles.

The Highways Agency has a network of around 2,000 electronic variable message signs (VMS) on its motorways and trunk roads in England. The signs are primarily available to alert drivers to road conditions ahead, and to advise of diversion routes when incidents occur.

(gmcg/mb)