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National Highways and ambulance crews urge drivers to stay out of Red X lanes as work to upgrade detection cameras continues

Ambulance crews are urging drivers to stay out of motorway lanes marked with a Red X while work to install cameras that will catch offenders continues.

National Highways is accelerating its upgrade to cameras above motorway lanes to catch those ignoring the closure signs and hopes to have the roll-out completed by September and 10 months earlier than initially planned.

Red crosses above driving lanes on motorways tell drivers the lane is closed and to move across
Red crosses above driving lanes on motorways tell drivers the lane is closed and to move across

But while that installation work is ongoing, the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) and highways officials are reminding people of the importance of abiding by the instruction to change lanes if a Red X sign appears above their lane - even if they can't immediately see a reason for the closure or they think the sign has been added incorrectly.

Ambulances on a blue light, say health chiefs, will regularly use Red X lanes on their way to an incident and should be able to do so without the fear of encountering motorists who are obstructing the route.

Ambulances can use Red X lanes to reach an incident
Ambulances can use Red X lanes to reach an incident

AACE Managing Director, Martin Flaherty OBE, said it can be a matter of life or death that drivers comply with Red X displays.

He said: "It is important to remember that 999 ambulances on blue lights may be trying to reach critically ill patients on motorway lanes where Red X signs are in force, for example, after a serious road traffic collision. If those lanes are blocked by drivers who should not be there, ambulance crews could be delayed in reaching patients who urgently need our life saving skills.

"We want drivers to understand that the Red X lane is closed for the safety of all – and especially to protect the scene of an accident and those emergency and essential services who may be on the carriageway to deal with the aftermath."

It has been offence for more than two decades to drive in a lane closed by a Red X and can result in a fixed penalty notice of up to £100 and three licence points - or in some cases more severe penalties and a court appearance.

However in June 2019 a change in the legislation meant cameras can now be used to automatically detect vehicles ignoring the Red X so that police can take enforcement action after the offence has taken place.

As a result last April National Highways committed to speeding up its camera upgrade programme across the country.

Drivers caught driving in closed motorway lanes will now be detected by cameras
Drivers caught driving in closed motorway lanes will now be detected by cameras

National Highways’ Road Safety Team Leader, Jamie Hassall, said: "Ambulance crews do an amazing job in saving lives but need space to work safely. Although it may not be immediately obvious why a lane is closed, we will have done so for a good reason so it’s important for drivers to respect the X and move out of the closed lane.

"A Red X signal is there for the safety of everyone on the road – 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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