Drivers still running red Xs as enforcement stalls

23/08/2018 | CHRIS AMES

Highways England has sent 130,000 warning letters in two years to motorway users who wrongly used the hard shoulder or ignored red X warning signs as many continue to flout the law in the absence of automatic enforcement.

Despite changes in the law, and suggestions that enforcement using cameras was due to begin in the spring of this year, a spokesman confirmed that the company is still waiting for Home Office type approval for the use of camera equipment to issue automatic fines for offenders.

A report for Highways England into the all lane running smart motorway between junctions 5 and 7 of the M25 found that up to one in five drivers failed to comply with the use of red X’s to close a lane in the year to April 2017, with non-compliance ranging from 0 to 14 vehicles per minute (0% to 20%).

The report, which covers the third year of the scheme’s operation, found that compliance with Red X as a percentage of total flow was 94%, which was no better than the previous year and only slightly better than the 93% in the first year.

A parallel report into the scheme between junctions 23 and 27 of the motorway similarly found that compliance as a percentage of total flow was 94%, ‘a slight worsening’ from the 96% in the previous year but ‘a slight improvement’ on the 93% the first year.

The danger posed by high levels of non-compliance with Red X’s was highlighted in a 2016 report from the Commons Transport Committee, after which the Department for Transport (DfT) said it was ‘actively considering the case for automated enforcement via technology, which will require legislation to amend the Road Traffic Offenders Act’.

The Government amended the Act last year to allow ignoring Red X’s and driving on the hard shoulder to be added to the list of offences for which records from prescribed devices such as automatic number plate recognition cameras can be used as evidence in proceedings.

However the relevant technology has not been approved and a DfT spokesperson declined to state when type approval would be granted.

Highways England said that since 2016 it had been working hard to tackle compliance issues through campaigns to assist in the understanding of a Red X and had issued over 130,000 warning letters to drivers who had either used sections of hard shoulder when not designated as a running lane or had failed to comply with a red X symbol.

Jamie Hassall, Highways England’s national compliance co-ordinator, said: ‘Most drivers are making the right decision when faced with a lane closed by a Red X and the work we have done to date has seen improvements in compliance levels nationally; meanwhile we have an ongoing programme of activities to help ensure this trend continues.’

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: ‘Too many drivers who wouldn't think of running a red traffic light still seem to treat the Red X as an advisory rather than a mandatory signal, used to protect their safety.

‘Highways England can get so far with information campaigns, but that advice and encouragement needs to be backed up by statutory enforcement and stiff penalties for those intent on putting themselves and others at risk.’

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Technician - WMF3040e

£27,711 - £28,624
Are you an organised and motivated individual who wants to make a difference to how our roads are managed? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2114e

£37,035 - £37,938
Are you an experienced and motivated professional looking to take the next step in your traffic management career? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Transport Planner

£47,532 - £50,574
Royal Greenwich is a borough synonymous with first class modern services Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Technician - Highway Inspector

Grade 8 £28,797 - £30,708 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
Within the Highways Maintenance Team we are looking for an enthusiastic, customer focused and experienced person to join the Service Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Delivery Senior Team Leader

£74,480 - £85,964
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification) Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking an organised and enthusiastic individual to join our South Lakeland team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Bulky Operative

£25,584.00 - £27,269.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent.
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Bulky Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Project Delivery Team Leader

£57,710 - £71,842
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification). Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts Council

£52000 - £61000 per annum
Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts CouncilNorth Herts CouncilPermanent, Full Time£52,866 - £61,866 per annum, plus car allowance (pay award pe England, Hertfordshire, Letchworth Garden City
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Street Scene Protection Officer - Braintree District Council

£30000 - £34000 per annum
Street Scene Protection Officer - Braintree District CouncilBraintree District CouncilPermanent, Full Time£30,313 to £34,612 per annumLocation
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
This is a key support role, helping to deliver a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes across South Lakeland. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Flood Risk Engineering and Strategy Officer

£49,764 - £55,623
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce Coventry, West Midlands
Recruiter: Coventry City Council

Senior Integrated Transport Officer

£34,324 - £37,529
Are you an experienced transport planning professional ready to influence strategic policy and drive real change Matlock, Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Roadworker Trainee LGV Driver (3 Posts)

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay award pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team undertaking major highway, bridge and related construction and reconstruction Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Engineer

£44,430 - £51,663
This post is within the Highways Design and Delivery Team. London (Greater)
Recruiter: Tower Hamlets London Borough Council

Civil Enforcement Officer - WMF3013e

£27,711 -£28,624
Are you seeking an active and challenging role, part of a friendly and welcoming team? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

UGO Bus Driver

Up to £25081.00 per annum
UGO Bus DriverPermanent, Part TimeUp to £25,081 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recruiter: Essex County Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW