Emergency services have joined forces with National Highways to remind drivers not to ignore the red X sign.
The majority of drivers – more than 90 per cent – comply with the red X, although thousands have been prosecuted for not doing so. One council revealed it had prosecuted almost 10,000 drivers.
The red X is used to close lanes when an obstruction such as a broken-down vehicle is detected in the road ahead. Abiding by the signal is vital to avoid a potentially serious collision.
Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) Managing Director, Martin Flaherty OBE, said: “We want drivers to understand that a lane closed by a red X is for the safety of all – and especially to help protect the scene of an accident and those emergency and essential services who may be on the carriageway to deal with the aftermath.”
National Highways has created a really useful guide on how to use the motorway, when the red X is displayed.