M6 drivers caught breaking basic rule as police say ‘this isn’t for fun’

Dozens of drivers were caught on the M6 this week for breaking an obvious rule, an action which can lead to a GBP100 fine or even a court appearance. Central Motorway Police Group, the roads policing force which covers West Midlands and Staffordshire [1] roads, shared a picture from the M6 after they stopped dozens of drivers on June 20. Officers said they caught 15 drivers going through a lane with a red X above it, a basic rule that must be adhered to.

The Red X sign tells you when a lane is closed, helping any drivers and their passengers who may have got into difficulty. The Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) took to X, formerly Twitter, to state that 15 drivers allegedly breached the lane closure near the M6 J12, at Cannock [2]. The motorway lane was closed due to a broken down HGV, and those who appeared to ignore the clear signals to stay out the lane now face having action taken against them.

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Dozens of drivers were stopped on the M6 this week for breaking an obvious rule, an action which can lead to a GBP100 fine or even a court appearance. Pictured: Central Motorway Police Group shared a pic on June 20 of drivers appearing to ignore the red X sign above the motorway lanes (Image: @CMPG)

A CMPG spokesperson posted a picture of the scene on X on June 20, stating: “Red X!

15 breaches of a lane 1 closure M6 North J12 to protect National Highways workers and this broken down HGV changing its tyre. “We do not close lanes for fun.

All 15 drivers will be prosecuted.” Red X lanes provide a safe place to work for the emergency services, recovery operators and National Highways road workers. Most drivers adhere to the red X signal, but those who don’t put themselves and other road users at real risk. National Highways have warned that it is illegal to drive in a red X lane.

Those who do, risk being hit with a fixed penalty of up to GBP100 and three points, and in some cases more severe penalties or a court appearance.

References

^ Staffordshire (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
^ Cannock (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
^ Birmingham Airport reveals astonishing amount of liquids being seized from passengers every day (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
^ here (chat.whatsapp.com)