Nick Freeman, one of the UK's leading criminal defence lawyers, is calling for new motoring law changes to get learner drivers taught how to drive on motorways.
The lawyer has said that driving on motorways should be an integral part of the practical test and how they should be taught about lane hogging to make Britain's roads safer.
Freeman, who is known as "Mr Loophole" for his success in securing acquittals for celebrity clients on legal technicalities, said it was "ludicrous" that motorway driving was not on the driving test.
He believes that the lack of training and awareness around motorway driving has led to an "epidemic of clueless drivers" who don't know which lane they need to be in.
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Nick Freeman believes lane hogging and tailgating could lead to serious accidents on the road
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Speaking to GB News, the expert explained how all road users were being put in a "potentially catastrophic situation" given the lack of awareness around motorway driving for young people.
He added: "Currently new drivers are legally permitted to drive on motorways - but without any proof that they are fit to do so. No wonder that, understandably, many are clueless about, say, hogging lanes, since they have never been taught or tested.
“It's bad enough that generations of drivers still don't know about which lanes to use on a motorway because they were never obliged to learn as part of the driving test.
"But the margin for error is even greater with new motorists since motorway driving requires a particular level of skill not only because of the speed of the traffic but also because it can involve constant changing of lanes at speed."
Laws were changed on June 4, 2018, meaning that learner drivers will be able to take lessons on motorways in England, Scotland and Wales.
Learner motorists will need to be accompanied by an approved driving instructor and be in a car fitted with dual controls.
There are no rules forcing drivers to take a lesson and it is up to the discretion of the instructor if they think they are good enough behind the wheel.
While the laws were first announced in August 2017, it was still illegal for a learner to drive on the motorway until June the following year. It also only applies to cars, not motorcyclists.
However, the practical driving test does not contain a portion requiring the driver to be on the motorway, although Nick Freeman is in support of introducing such measures.
He continued, saying: "If we carry on the way we do, lane hoggers could meet undertakers in more ways than one.
"Yet drivers do it because they are clueless, lazy or – out of ignorance – think it’s the safe option."
A recent National Highways survey found that around one-third of drivers admit to lane hogging at least "occasionally" and five per cent admitted to "always" doing it.
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Nick Freeman believes major driving test changes are needed
PA
The police can issue three penalty points to someone's driving licence, in addition to an on-the-spot fine worth £100 for lingering in the middle lane or tailgating.
Despite the potential for fines to be handed out, Freeman said the likelihood is slim given the stretched work of police forces across the UK.
