Smart motorway drivers face £2,500 fines for ignoring sign on M1, M6, M25, M60, M42
Smart motorway drivers face GBP2,500 fines for ignoring a sign on the motorway, it has been warned[1]. Current smart motorways include the M1, M6 and M25, as well as the M60, and M42 - but motorists using them have been warned. The Highway Code's Rule 256 clearly mandates:[2] "A single sign of signal can display advice, restrictions and warnings for all lanes.
Lane specific signs and signals can display advice, restrictions and warning that apply to individual lanes." Motorists should take special notice that flouting updated motorway speed limits falls under the offence of speeding. Fines can reach up to GBP2,500, particularly where motorway breaches are concerned, road users have been warned.
Under Rule 258 of the Highway Code: "Red flashing light signals and a red 'X' on a sign identify a closed lane in which people, stopped vehicles or other hazards are present. You must follow the instructions on signs in advance of a closed lane to move safelty an open lane." Motorists are being reminded that "[You] must not drive in a closed lane.
A sign will inform you when the lane is no longer closed by displaying a speed limit or the word 'END'." National Highways has run communication campaigns to educate drivers how to use smart motorways, including the importance of always obeying red X signs.
Increasingly, Emergency Refuge Areas (ERAs) are also painted in orange to help drivers spot them, and there are more signs directing drivers to their next ERA.
But the RAC, another motoring body, continues to argue for more changes to be made to smart motorways to make them as safe as possible, and to help ensure drivers feel safe when driving on them - especially on stretches of 'all lane running' smart motorway where the hard shoulder is removed for good.
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