More than 53,000 incidents where drivers ignored ‘Smart motorway lane closed’ signs

New research has revealed that more than 53,000 incidents have been recorded since 2021 where drivers ignored ‘lane closed’ signs on smart motorways.

Road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, which carried out the research, said it showed the government needs to “think seriously” about the future of roads.

Compliance with red X signs is crucial for safety on smart motorways where the hard shoulder has been converted into a lane for active vehicles.

National Highways staff activate the lane closure signs when they detect stationary vehicles in the lane, preventing them from being hit from behind and assisting emergency services.

Since September 2022, all police forces have been able to use enforcement cameras to prosecute motorists who unlawfully drive under a red cross or end up in a lane past one of the signs.

This can result in a fine of up to £100 and three penalty points. In some cases the penalties can be more severe and you may have to appear in court.

Figures obtained by IAM RoadSmart following requests to the police under the Government Information (Public Access) Act show that 4,393 incidents were registered in 2021. In 2022, that number was 20,773 and in 2023, 28,231.

Meera Naran, whose eight-year-old son Dev was killed in a crash on the M6 ​​motorway near Birmingham in May 2018, said: “In an emergency, every second counts.

“The red X provides a layer of safety for the public, emergency services, recovery companies and road workers.

“An incident can occur on any lane of the highway and lanes are closed for a variety of reasons.

“If this is in place and enforced, it could save a number of lives, including yours.”

Nicholas Lyes, Director of Policy and Standards at IAM RoadSmart, said: “Ignoring a red X sign on a smart motorway is dangerous as it can lead to a serious collision, so we welcome the police taking tough action against those who break the law.

“Most drivers have serious concerns about the safety of smart motorways where the hard shoulder has been removed, and these figures are unlikely to convince them that they are safe.

“We know that no new, fully smart highways will be built, but it does raise the question of what to do with the existing routes that are in use?

“This is something the new government needs to think seriously about.”

Smart highways without emergency lanes were built to increase capacity at a lower cost than widening roads.

Then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cancelled all future smart motorway projects in April last year, citing financial pressures and a lack of public confidence in the roads.

This led to calls to reinstate the emergency lane on existing smart highways.

A National Highways spokesman said: “A red X signal is there to increase the safety of everyone using the road by highlighting a problem ahead.

“More than 90% of drivers pay attention to red X signals, but ignoring red X signals is an offence and puts themselves and others at risk.”