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FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: FOI-584-2024
I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 19th June 2024 as follows:
Specifically, I would like to obtain data on driving penalties issued for "middle-lane hogging" since the law was enacted in 2013. This is when drivers break Rule 264 of the Highway Code, which states that: "You should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear".
The details I am requesting are as follows:
*If your force does not record data in calendar years, please provide the information in the closest yearly periods available – i.e. financial years.
Response: Please be advised that the requested information is not centrally recorded and is not available in a readily retrievable format. ‘Middle lane hogging’ is not recorded under an offence of its own, but rather, it is recorded under one of the following two offence codes:
RT88575 - Drive a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road / in a public place without due care and attention)
RT88576 - (Drive a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road / in a public place without reasonable consideration to other users)
We have received a similar request in the recent past covering the period 1st January 2019 to 30th September 2023, a copy can be read on the Warwickshire Police FOI Disclosure Log here: FOI 889-2023 / Sept 2023 / Middle lane | Warwickshire Police.
This showed that, during the period, there had been 1580 offences under the stated codes and that, in order to determine which offences relate to middle lane hogging, it would be necessary to review each and every offence on an individual basis. Such searches would exceed 18 hours of work and therefore is above the amount to which we are legally required to respond i.e. the cost of locating and retrieving the information exceeds the ‘appropriate level’ as stated in the Freedom of Information (Fees and Appropriate Limit) Regulations 2004.
Further, given that the time period is longer in relation to this request, the time required to provide information would be considerably greater.
In accordance with s12(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, this letter acts as a Refusal Notice for this part of the request.
In accordance with Section 16 of the Act I have a duty to provide advice and assistance in relation to your request; however, due to the amount of records which would need to be examined, I am unable to suggest a way to revise your request into one which could be managed within the fees limit.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is as accurate as possible.
Your attention is drawn to the below which details your right of complaint.
Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write or
email the Freedom of Information Unit quoting the reference number above.
Yours sincerely
Freedom of Information Officer
Freedom of Information Unit
Warwickshire Police
PO Box 4
Leek Wootton
Warwickshire
CV35 7QB