Highways England set to use cameras to catch drivers ignoring red X signs and issue Fixed Penalty Notices

Motorway red X signs indicating a closed lane will be enforced by cameras from June we can reveal after a new law has been passed and comes into effect on 10 June 2019 will allow Highways England to use cameras to automatically issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) to drivers who ignore the red X signs on motorway gantries. Motorists caught by the cameras could receive three penalty points on their driving licence and face a fine of up to £100. Under current rules, drivers can only be issued an FPN for ignoring a red X sign if a police officer catches them doing so, which is made unlikely by falling numbers of road traffic officers in the UK. In an effort to curb the offence, Highways England has issued more than 180,000 warning letters to drivers since the beginning of 2017. Under the new camera enforcement system, as with motorway speeding offences, the police force where the red X breach occurred will issue the FPN. Mike Wilson, chief highways engineer at Highways England, says: “Our motorways are already among the safest in the world but this move will make them even safer. “Red X signs over closed lanes help protect drivers from dangers ahead. Most drivers comply with lane closures, but the minority of people who don’t are putting themselves and other road users at real risk. We welcome this auto-enforcement and the increase to driver safety it will bring.” “Red X’s are put up to warn of an obstruction, so drivers must get out of the lane when they see them. We have had several incidents recently where AA members’ cars have been hit in a live lane on ‘smart’ motorways.”