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In modern times, motorways are increasingly becoming busier with more vehicles travelling on them. This can cause congestion and disruption to traffic flow when there is a long, steep uphill gradient. To help manage this problem, crawler lanes may be provided in certain areas of the motorway system.


A crawler lane is a dedicated left-hand lane that can only be used by slow moving heavy goods vehicles such as lorries or buses which struggle to climb up hills at high speed due to their weight and size. By diverting these slower vehicles into the crawler lane, it helps keep the rest of the traffic flowing freely without having to worry about being held up by large slow moving trucks or buses going uphill slowly in front of them.


The introduction of Crawler Lanes has been welcomed by many drivers as they provide an extra level safety for motorists who find themselves behind slower heavy goods vehicle on long inclines. It also provides an opportunity for those driving larger heavier loads such as lorries or coaches to travel safely without worrying about holding back other faster cars behind them while climbing steep gradients. In addition, it helps reduce overall journey times for all road users, making journeys smoother and safer across busy motorways.