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Drivers Face £100,000 in Costs for Breaking Motorway Rule Introduced 12 Years Ago
National Highways said 378 drivers have been convicted this year, with fines, costs and victim surcharges totaling more than £101,000.
- This year, 378 motorists across England and Wales were convicted for ignoring Smart motorway red X lane closure signs, resulting in more than £100,000 in combined fines, court costs, and victim surcharges.
- National Highways uses red X signs to close Smart motorway lanes during crashes, stranded vehicles, or roadwork; while thousands receive £100 fixed penalties, some drivers face full criminal prosecution for violations.
- School governor Paul Hollowell, 56, from Warrington received a £384 fine from Manchester Magistrates after failing an online safety course when his laptop battery died. Christopher Harvey and Andreas Charalambous, caught 30 minutes apart on the M25, faced fines of £177 and £40 respectively at Stevenage Magistrates.
- RAC road safety spokesman Rod Dennis described the ongoing violations as "concerning," stating that the signs play an "absolutely fundamental role in keeping people safe," especially on motorways without hard shoulders.
- The government cancelled plans for all new Smart motorways in 2023 due to severe public safety concerns and rising financial pressures, ending expansion of a system introduced over a decade ago.
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Drivers slapped with £100,000 in court costs after being caught by smart motorway cameras
Drivers across the country have been slapped with huge bills for breaking smart motorway closure rules, according to new data.Dozens of motorists have been taken to magistrates' courts in England and Wales after being caught driving in a motorway lane that had been shut down temporarily.Smart motorways have drawn widespread criticism amid concerns over their supposed safety benefits and technological failings, which have led to deaths.Red "X" si…
·London, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources25
Leaning Left1Leaning Right1Center23Last UpdatedBias Distribution92% Center
Bias Distribution
- 92% of the sources are Center
92% Center
C 92%
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