IT’S one of the most annoying a motorist can do drivers.

And according to new research, drivers down in Sussex are among the worst offenders in the country.

It is of course lane hogging.

New research by price comparison website Confused.com found more than a third, 35 per cent, of drivers in the county admit to middle lane hogging when driving - the second highest percentage across all regions.

One in ten said they had experienced a vehicle collision or near miss on account of another road user hogging the middle lane.

But traffic officers at Sussex Police are fighting back.

After being given the power to issue fines in 2013, the force has brought to book 464 drivers for middle lane hogging.

The force has seen a steady increase in arrests over the last three years, with 211 drivers given a spot fine in 2015.

The figures also include hogging the fast lane of a two lane motorway.

Mike Bristow, from the Brake the road safety charity, said: “Hogging the middle lane can force other drivers to take evasive action to avoid a collision, so it is right that the police are taking action to tackle it.

“However, we urge other drivers to remain calm and not to give in to frustration by tailgating - this simply increases the level of danger for everyone.”

According to the lane discipline section of the Highway Code, drivers should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear.

If you are overtaking a number of slower-moving vehicles, you should return to the left-hand lane of the carriageway unless overtaking.

Almost two fifths of British drivers are unaware middle-lane hogging is an offence punishable by at least three points on your license and a £100 fine. There is no legal name for middle lane hogging, but it is often listed as driving without due care and attention or inconsiderate driving.

Drivers can appeal against any decision through the courts.

Luke Bosdet, from the AA, said: “Middle-lane hogging is one of a number of bad driving behaviours and ironic it’s often these people which annoy other road users, leading them to commit offences such as tailgating.

“Tailgating drivers can often not pay attention to what’s happening ahead of them and this can cause big accidents.

“We would urge drivers to be careful when finding a way around middle lane hoggers regardless of how irritating they may be.”

THEY SHOULDN’T BE ALLOWED ON ROAD

Opinion by Joel Adams

Some of us reserve our ire for litter bugs, others for those community-minded individuals who believe the entire bus should be able to enjoy their dubious musical taste.

For me, it’s middle lane hogs.

It’s almost enjoyable actually. Cresting the brow of the hill in the inside lane – the correct lane, for goodness sake – to see a line of traffic immediately ahead of me and a blithering idiot obstructing the overtaking lane.

It gets my creative juices flowing. The vivid stream of imaginative, visceral, unprintable invective which pours forth at such a sight would impress even the cast of Just a Minute… should Radio 4 ever experiment with an “After Dark” edition.

Why do these people do it? And what should we do with them?

I’m not usually one to favour draconian punishments but these people should simply not be allowed on the road. Or, possibly, allowed to procreate.

The lanes are wider than articulated lorries for crying out loud. They are certainly wider than your ancient banger or prim people-carrier. So can I suggest that if you think you need three lane-widths to accommodate your vehicle and allow for your driving, we all might be safer if you stay off the roads altogether?

But perhaps that isn’t the reason. Maybe you are ignoring my gentle light-flashing admonishments because you believe that should you pull in and allow my egress, the acceleration and resultant sonic boom of me going by would endanger you and other drivers.

If so, mind your own business and focus on your own ignorance of the Highway Code.

The fact is, such behaviour is dangerous and costly.

It is perpetrated by the kind of poor driver who doesn’t check their rear view, failing to appreciate that they are driving in a 360 degree environment, not 180.

It causes other drivers to undertake, which risks a collision if the oblivious lane hog finally moves in without looking.

It risks crashes in the outside lane when frustrated motorists aim for gaps which are just too small, in an effort to proceed at their preferred speed.

And it causes enormous, unnecessary tailbacks which reduce productivity and increase blood pressure.

So well done Sussex Police. If the 464 drivers prosecuted for this selfish and stupid offence in the last three years tell their friends about the consequences of their obliviousness we will all be safer on the roads.

And I might even get to work on time for once.

Joel Adams has just bought his first convertible.