Cameras have caught more than 53,000 drivers ignoring Red X signs on smart motorways since 2021, figures obtained by IAM RoadSmart show.
The Red X is often used to close lanes on a smart motorway when an obstruction such as a broken-down vehicle is detected in the road ahead. Closed lanes are also used by the emergency services attending those who might need urgent assistance at the incident in question.
Enforcement cameras automatically detect vehicles passing illegally under a Red X, which can result in a fixed penalty notice of up to £100 and three points or, in some cases, more severe penalties.
Analysed data gathered through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to police forces in England reveals that in 2021, nine police forces were enforcing Red X infringements, with 4,393 drivers caught.
A further 11 forces began prosecuting against the contravention in 2022 resulting in 20,773 motorists being captured by cameras.
In 2023, a total of 21 forces used enforcement cameras to catch 28,231 drivers breaking the law.
Almost all police forces with smart motorways within their boundary areas are now actively pursuing this type of criminality.
Nicholas Lyes, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and standards, said: “Ignoring a Red X sign on a smart motorway is dangerous because it risks a serious collision and for this reason, we welcome police forces clamping down on those who break the law.
“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. 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 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.”
The huge number of “offenders” is surely a signal that something’s wrong with the concept. Designers have to understand that people do not always do what they expect them to do – for whatever reason. Apparently, many still do not, and imagine that the legal system will produce the results they expect, so they don’t have to worry about the problem they have caused. This is where the danger lies, I suspect. And there are plenty more examples – the infamous red light cameras at level crossings for example. It’s about time that the law was changed so that strict liability is removed, and replaced by a requirement that problems such as these were properly analysed and understood. (I won’t be holding my breath.)
Fraser Andrew, STIRLING
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