New figures suggest more than half of the incursions into roadworks recorded on England’s motorways and major A-roads this year involved drivers deliberately attempting to avoid queues, closures or diversions.

The Guardian reports that National Highways recorded 814 incursions between January and July, of which 53% involved motorists “seeking benefit” by entering restricted areas. Around 30 incursions are being reported each week, while at least one person has died in an incursion-related incident this year.

The report says repeated incidents have forced National Highways to close entire sections of motorway, rather than individual lanes, to protect workers. This included part of the M1 in Hertfordshire, where incursions led to a full closure and a ten-mile diversion. Footage released by the organisation has also resulted in prosecutions and driving bans.

National Highways Director of Health, Safety and Wellbeing Melanie Clarke told the newspaper that drivers were “wilfully ignoring roadworks to save time”, putting roadworkers, other people and themselves at risk. She stressed that closures remain unsafe even when no workers are immediately visible because activity may be taking place nearby or the road surface may have been compromised.

Highways News has repeatedly highlighted the dangers of incursions and abuse faced by roadworkers. The industry-backed No Excuse for Roadworker Abuse initiative is bringing contractors and highways organisations together to improve reporting through the RAISE system and build a clearer national picture of incidents. Previous cases have included drivers moving cones, entering closures and threatening or physically attacking workers.

Read the article in the Guardian here.

(File picture – National Highways)