Warning as 50,000 Brits have broken little-known driving law ahead of new ‘clampdown'
Thousands of drivers have been impacted by breaching a little-known smart motorway rule as officials take a serious look at law breakers.
Over 50,000 motorists have been caught breaking a little-known smart motorway driving rule with more to follow as a result of a new police “crackdown”.
Data shows more than 54,000 road users have been caught driving through Red X signs on smart motorways since 2021 with many having been issued motoring fines.
A Red X positioned on a gantry above the road highlights the particular lane is currently closed and cannot be used.
However, data gathered by safety group IAMRoadSmart from Freedom of Information Act data through police forces has highlighted the scale of the issue.
With almost all police forces with smart motorways actively pursuing offenders, many more are set to be caught out this summer.
Nicholas Lyes, IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Standards warned ignoring the sign could be “dangerous” and risked a “serious collision”.
Mr Lyes admitted the safety group “welcome police forces clamping down” on those found breaking the law.
He explained: “If a lane is closed on smart motorway, it usually indicates there is either a stranded vehicle ahead, people are working in the road, or there has been a collision.
“Disobeying the sign puts the lives of those in the vehicle as well as those ahead in danger."
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Mr Lyes added: “If you see a Red X sign, you should slow down and move into an open lane when there is sufficient space to do so.”
The new data has revealed just 4,393 drivers were caught by enforcement cameras in 2021.
However, a further eleven forces began prosecuting against the move in 2022 which saw an eye-watering 20,773 caught by cameras.
By 2023, the number of forces using enforcement cameras on smart motorways again rose to 21.
The sudden increase in technology again saw a rise in the number of incidents with a staggering 28,231 drivers caught breaking the law.
The expert stressed the staggering rates would only set to add to a feeling of unease around smart motorways.
He added: “The majority of drivers have serious reservations about the safety of smart motorways where the hard shoulder has been removed, and these figures are unlikely to persuade them they are safe.
“We know that no new all-lane running smart motorways will be built but it does beg the question of what we do with the existing stretches that are in operation?
“This is something the new government needs to give some serious thought to.”
