Karma for M5 middle lane hogger caught on camera by police
For those of us left frustrated by inconsiderate and potentially dangerous drivers hogging the middle lane of the M5[1], we have a treat in store. You can see one bad driver get their comeuppance after failing to indicate and then occupying the middle lane of the motorway, two major bugbears of competent motorists.
The driver of the vehicle pulled out right in front of a Gloucestershire police officer[2] without indicating and proceeded to hog the middle lane. You can see a clip in the video above this article to give you a taster of the latest episode of Police Night Shift: 999 which airs toninght (Monday, July 31), on Channel 5[3].
PC Merchant, of Gloucester Police, said: “He was sat in lane two and everyone knows that is a pet hate for most people. HGVs can’t undertake them but they can’t go into lane three so then you’re holding up traffic. It’s just a nightmare for everyone.”
As he drives past the slip road to head towards Gloucester and Cirencester, PC Merchant gets into lane three to see what the driver is doing. Viewers will notice a phone screen illuminating the otherwise dark car.
“Let’s have a look,” PC Merchant said, as he studied the driver. “Ah, look how they’ve got their phone. Are they watching something on TV or is that a screensaver?”
PC Merchant then realised that the absent-minded driver was watching a video on his phone, which explained why he was hogging the middle lane. He is subsequently pulled over.
Although it is legal to use a phone in a windscreen mount or dashboard holder for navigation purposes when driving, as is using a hands-free device to take calls when driving, it should go without saying that drivers should not watch videos, TV shows or films whilst behind the wheel.
“As I’ve gone to overtake him, he’s watching what looks like a YouTube video and his driving’s been impacted by it,” PC Merchant explained. “He’s been sat in the middle lane when he could come into lane one and he’s also been in lane three.”
PC Merchant then turns on the sirens, and the car can be seen pulling over onto the hard shoulder. Viewers will have to tune into Police: Night Shift 999 on Channel 5 at 9pm to see what happens next.
References
- ^ dangerous drivers hogging the middle lane of the M5 (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ driver of the vehicle pulled out right in front of a Gloucestershire police officer (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ Police Night Shift: 999 which airs toninght (Monday, July 31), on Channel 5 (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
- ^ Stabbing car wash as man is seriously injured in brutal attack (www.bristolpost.co.uk)