Impatient drivers who ignored a ‘no left turn sign’ on a motorway slip-road paid the price when they were caught out by the police.

Officers said they have acted on a number of complaints towards motorists who are disobeying a sign on the anti-clockwise M25 slip road at j18 for Chorleywood.

During rush hour, the left-hand lane (of two) is regularly gridlocked and drivers chance their luck by racing up the usually empty right-side lane before cutting in.

If that fails, they do a sharp turn, left, around the island at the very top of the slip road.

But the right-side lane is for turning right or continuing back onto the M25 only, and not for turning left towards Rickmansworth.

An operation was carried out on Friday morning.

Drivers who were seen flouting the law were pulled up instantly into a lay-by in Chorleywood Road.

Five people were issued with a traffic offence report for ignoring a road sign and drive without due care and attention.

They all face a fine and/or points on their license.

Several drivers were also pulled up for having faulty lights.

Watford Observer:

PC Christian Gottmann said: “We have received several complaints from members of the public about this sign being regularly contravened. Despite being clearly marked as right turn only, drivers are using the right hand lane to turn left.

“Road signs are there for a reason and flouting them could put you or other road users at risk of serious injury. We take these matters seriously and will not hesitate to take action where necessary.”