More than 100 drivers will be prosecuted after ignoring red 'X' signs on a smart motorway this morning.

Three lanes were blocked on the M25 clockwise today near Rickmansworth after a lorry crashed. The driver suffered a medical episode, while diesel spilled into the carriageway prolonging the recovery time.

Watford Observer:

Picture: The aftermath of the lorry crash Picture: HighwaysEast

Lane closures were in place for around four hours, and at one stage, delays reached two hours, approaching j18. 'X' signs were displayed for half a mile before the crash site indicating which lanes were shut.

However, an officer from the Beds, Herts, and Cambridgeshire road policing unit caught 123 drivers disobeying the signs as they approached the scene of the crash, in the lanes that had been indicated as shut.

He had been stationed in the coned area, just 100 metres from the incident.

The officer wrote down the number plate for all of the offending vehicles and the owners will all be sent a letter.


Once officers have established who was driving the car, the person will receive a fine or an offer to go on a driver improvement scheme.

The officer said: "It's simple really. These closures are in place to protect people working at the scene of the crash. We are trying to gain compliance."

The rules are in place in line with Section 36 of the Road Traffic Act and rule 258 of the Highway Code.