With 17.6 million leisure trips forecast for the August Bank Holiday weekend, Start Rescue is urging motorists to avoid making congestion worse by blocking the motorway middle lane.
“Some delays are inevitable when millions take to the road, but middle-lane hogging significantly worsens the problem,” said Lee Puffett, Managing Director of Start Rescue. “When drivers sit stubbornly in the middle, others are forced to weave across multiple lanes to overtake. That’s when queues form, tempers flare, and collisions occur.”
The Highway Code is unambiguous: motorists should keep left unless overtaking. Yet, many persist in cruising in the middle lane for miles, oblivious to the disruption behind them. Since 2013, middle-lane hogging has been a punishable offence, with police empowered to issue £100 on-the-spot fines and three penalty points.
Traffic volumes are set to peak on Friday (3 million journeys) and Saturday (3.4 million), with the M5 from Bristol to Devon and the M20 towards Dover and Folkestone predicted to be among the hardest-hit routes. Delays of more than 40 minutes are expected in places.
Start Rescue is reminding drivers that motorways are not the only option. The UK has nearly 30,000 miles of A roads, representing around 13% of the road network. These can provide a calmer, more flexible alternative during peak periods.
“On paper, motorways may seem fastest, but at peak times the opposite is often true,” Puffett added. “A roads can be less stressful, with lighter traffic, more frequent stopping opportunities, and often cheaper fuel prices. Planning ahead with live traffic updates is the best way to save time and avoid frustration.”
Start Rescue’s advice for Bank Holiday drivers:
- Plan ahead: Use National Highways live updates before travelling.
- Keep left: Only occupy the middle or right lanes while overtaking.
- Consider alternatives: Explore A roads, especially for regional trips.
- Take breaks: Stop every two hours or 100 miles to reduce fatigue.
With a 4.7-star Trustpilot rating, a five-star Defaqto rating, and six consecutive years as a Which? Recommended Provider, Start Rescue continues to rank among the UK’s most trusted breakdown services. The company was also named Best Breakdown Cover provider in the Finder Customer Satisfaction Awards 2024, earning 4.9/5 for overall satisfaction and a 94% recommendation rate.
