§ Mr. Marlowasked the Minister of Transport whether the law is adequate to deal with those who drive in excess of 70 miles per hour on motorway and seek to force those driving at 70 miles per hour into the central lane which is frequently congested with lorry traffic.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI deplore the practice to which my hon. Friend refers, but I consider that the penalties are 305W adequate. For exceeding the speed limit on a motorway there is a maximum fine of £500, obligatory endorsement unless there are special reasons and discretionary disqualification. If the circumstances warranted, it would also be open to the police to bring a charge of reckless driving, for which the maximum penalties are more severe.
Vehicles, including those travelling at 70 mph, should not travel in the overtaking lane except when overtaking another vehicle and should return to the central or nearside lane as soon as it is safe to do so after completing an overtaking manoeuvre. A driver is not justified in occupying the overtaking lane for a longer distance than necessary merely because he is travelling at the legal speed limit.