Sir, Mr Stephen Dudley (letter, June 21) ask why “hogging” the middle lane at 70mph is a problem. The problem is not speeding but stopping distance. On a three-lane motorway, if all the traffic hogs the middle (or outer) lane, the availability of clear road to give a sensible stopping gap between vehicles is much reduced.

We have all seen the bunching of traffic which occurs on motorways when drivers hog the middle and outer lanes. Ask any traffic policeman what happens when the one at the front brakes sharply.

Yours faithfully,
JANE CREASE,
Deer Park House,
Scampston, Malton,
North Yorkshire YO17 8HW.
June 23.

From Mr Peter Donaldson

Sir, The problem is that Mr Dudley is reducing other drivers’ options. Someone in the inside lane driving at something less than the speed limit may wish to overtake a large vehicle, but in his rearview mirror he will see Mr Dudley sitting on his right shoulder and creeping up at one or two miles per hour faster.

The rule of the road is to keep left; those who find it too difficult to follow should not drive.

Yours faithfully
PETER DONALDSON,
88 Findhorn Street,
Dundee DD4 9PH.
June 21.

From Mr Will David

Sir, Mr Dudley is in breach of paragraph 238 of the Highway Code, which states that “you should drive in the left-hand lane if the road ahead is clear”. It contains other sensible provisions. I commend it to him.

Yours faithfully,
WILL DAVID,
Harrow Cottage, Old London Road,
Knockholt, Kent TN14 7JW.
June 21.

From Mr Simon Jacklin

Sir, Mr Dudley might consider that when something comes from the other side of the motorway through the rusty old barrier, he will be about 4m closer to it than drivers in the inside lane.

Yours faithfully,
SIMON JACKLIN,
10 Lambourne Way,
Portishead, Bristol BS20 7LQ.
June 21.

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