These new motorway fines could be introduced from March – with new roadside cameras to catch you
BRITS could be slapped with new driving fines on the motorway from March.
Roadside cameras that would automatically snap drivers breaking the law are “currently being tested”, according to the Press Association.
Highways England said motorists ignoring red X signs on overhead gantries is “dangerous”.
And it has already sent 80,000 warning letters to drivers who have broken smart motorway rules since December 2016, with around a third relating to driving in closed lanes.
Violations would be treated the same as running a red light – a £100 fixed fine and three penalty points – meaning cameras would rake in over £250,000 a year.
The Press Association revealed the roads agency wants to bring in the new laws from as early as next spring.
The document, seen by PA, said: “We would expect enforcement of red X offences to commence from spring 2018.”
Traffic cops can already slap you with an on-the-spot fine if they see you breaking the rules.
But the new plans would introduce roadside cameras to snap offenders more regularly.
Smart motorways involve using the hard shoulder for traffic unless a red X indicates it is closed, normally because of an accident or broken down vehicle – plus add variable speed limits.
SPEEDY ISSUE What are smart motorways and how do the variable speed limits work?
Sections of the M1, M4, M5, M6 and M42 have already been modified, with 480 lane miles being added to England’s motorway network.
Steve Gooding, director of motoring research charity the RAC Foundation, warned the extra capacity is “a welcome move, only so long as it can be delivered safely”.
He said: “The best laws are those that no-one breaks – not just because the penalties for doing so are severe. but also because they are well understood and accepted.
“We need to see a redoubling of communications by Highways England to leave no doubt in motorists’ minds as to what a red X sign means.
How to use a smart motorway emergency refuge area
- Emergency refuge areas (ERA) should only be used if it is safe to reach them – they are marked with blue signs featuring the orange SOS telephone symbol.
- If safe to do so, leave your vehicle and contact Highways England via the roadside emergency telephone provided
- After a call has been made, a traffic officer will be sent to assist you, or motorway signs will be set to temporarily close lanes or reduce speed limits.
- If you plan on rejoining the motorway, it is recommended you call Highways England again so that restriction can be put in place to make this as safe as possible.
- If you cannot reach an ERA, attempt to drive your car to the hard shoulder or nearest the boundary as possible.
- Hazard warning lights should be used in all instances.
“It’s important that drivers understand that where the carriageway has been blocked by a collision or a breakdown, the price for ignoring the red X could be a lot higher than a fixed-penalty notice.”
A Highways England spokesman said: “Safety is at the heart of everything we do, and our roads are among the safest in the world.
“We close lanes for a reason, and drivers ignoring red Xs put themselves and others at risk.
“Since we started issuing warning letters, we have seen a decrease in the number of drivers ignoring lane closures.”
Smart motorways have endured a tough time, with safety groups condemning the lack of hard shoulder and the spacing of emergency areas.
Highways England guidance is for the lay-bys to be no more than around 1.5 miles apart, but campaigners believe this distance should be at least halved to reduce the chances of a broken-down vehicle stopping in a live running lane.
And the AA wants the Highway Code updated to include “life-saving” laws that instruct drivers what to do if there’s an accident on a smart motorway.