National Highways has issued a warning about the increasing number of drivers deliberately ignoring roadwork closures in England in an effort to avoid queues, highlighting the associated safety risks. Between January and July of this year, the agency recorded 814 incidents where vehicles entered closed-off work zones, with more than half—53%—attributed to motorists attempting to bypass delays.

The agency, which oversees motorways and major roads across England, expressed growing concern over these incursions, noting a rise in intentional violations reported by contractors working on road maintenance and construction. On average, about 30 such incidents occur each week on motorways and A-roads nationwide.

National Highways categorizes most of these incursions as “seeking benefit,” where drivers deliberately breach roadwork barriers to gain a shortcut. While some incursions result from breakdowns or driver mistakes, those cases typically involve drivers who stop promptly and seek assistance. According to Melanie Clarke, director of health, safety and wellbeing at National Highways, however, the latest data reflect a troubling trend of motorists willfully flouting safety measures, thereby endangering road workers and other users.

In response to the persistent problem, National Highways has sometimes been forced to close entire sections of motorways rather than just lanes near roadworks. These broader closures, intended to shield workers from hazardous encounters, have led to significant delays on affected routes.

The agency’s warning underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing road maintenance with traffic flow and the critical need for driver compliance with safety restrictions to prevent accidents and protect frontline workers.