Police are cracking down on motorists who hog the middle lane.

Traffic police have pulled over two drivers in a matter of days for lane hogging - and have reminded motorists of the rules of the motorway.

The most recent stop was on the M60 last night.

A spokesman for GMP Traffic Unit said: "Another night, another lane hogger on the M60.

"When stopped it was clear the driver had no idea about lane discipline on the motorway and as such he has been reported for careless & inconsiderate driving. Remember to keep left unless overtaking."

And on June 4, the same police unit came across a driver on the same motorway in lane two - on an empty motorway.

A spokesman said: "This driver was sighted on the M60 travelling at 40mph in lane two on a empty motorway.

When requested to stop, they had decided to stop in a live carriageway. The driver did not see anything wrong with that. The driver was reported".

Earlier this year a national campaign was launched to tackle middle lane hogging on motorways, as well as tailgating.

A poll, commissioned National Highways, found that nearly a third of drivers admit hogging the middle lane on motorways at least “occasionally”, while five per cent confessed to “always” doing it.

Nearly a quarter of drivers also admitted tailgating, which the RAC described as “frightening”.

The Highway Code states drivers on motorways and dual-carriageways should use the left lane unless they are overtaking, and allow “at least a two-second gap between you and the vehicle in front on high-speed roads”.

National Highways said poor lane discipline is among the behaviours most likely to cause other road users to feel frustrated, while tailgating often makes people feel anxious, stressed or unsafe.

Both offences can be prosecuted as careless driving, for which police can hand out £100 on-the-spot fines and three penalty points.

The top five types of drivers loathed by AA members are the tailgaters, the lane hoggers, the phone abusers, the lane swoopers, and the undertakers.

RAC road safety spokesman Rod Dennis added: “Middle lane hogging and tailgating are far more than mere annoyances for drivers – these actions put everyone on the roads at risk."