National Highways has launched a new campaign to raise awareness around Red X signs on smart motorways.
Smart motorways use variable speed limits and hard shoulder running to manage traffic and tackle stop-start congestion.
The most common type in the UK, all-lane-running (ALR), was introduced in 2014 and involves opening the hard shoulder permanently to drivers.
Gantry signs displaying a Red X indicate if a lane is closed – usually as a result of a vehicle breakdown or in the event of a collision.
Driving through a Red X sign is an offence, the punishment for which is three points plus a £100 fine. Since 2019, police forces have been able to use traffic cameras by means of enforcement.
The campaign, which runs until 26 February, is aimed at all motorists that use the strategic road network.
One of the primary aims is to increase understanding of the rules, fines and how automated enforcement works.
This is being achieved through the use of radio and social media (Facebook, Twitter, Reddit and LinkedIn) – as well as out of home media, including large digital posters and posters in motorway washrooms.
These activities point towards a campaign webpage, where road users can find a series of illustrations showing a typical sequence of signs and signals they’ll see on the motorway when a Red X signal is set.
Dave Harford, National Highways traffic officer, said: “We don’t take the decision to close lanes lightly, but when we do, drivers must obey the closure.
“A Red X signal is there for the safety of everyone on the road – including people in difficulty, traffic officers, recovery and emergency services helping them, and all other road users besides.
“Thankfully, the vast majority of drivers do comply with the signals but those who don’t put themselves and others at risk.”
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