Drivers deliberately ignoring roadwork closures to skip queues are "wilfully putting lives at risk," National Highways has warned. The agency recorded 814 incursions into closed-off roadworks areas across England between January and July this year, with 53% of these incidents involving drivers attempting to avoid queues, closures, or diversions.
Melanie Clarke, director of health, safety and wellbeing at National Highways, stated that the figures show a "worrying number of drivers wilfully ignoring roadworks to save time, putting road workers and other people at risk." She added that at least one fatality had occurred this year due to such incursions. Clarke emphasized that roads are not sealed off without ongoing or imminent activity, and attempting to take a shortcut is "simply not worth it."
The agency has released video clips of drivers entering closed-off areas, which have led to prosecutions and driving bans. One incident on the M1 motorway in Hertfordshire resulted in a complete closure and a 10-mile diversion for drivers to ensure worker safety. On average, about 30 incursions per week are recorded across England's motorways and A-roads. While most are classified as drivers "seeking benefit," factors like breakdowns or driver error also contribute to dangerous incursions.