Hundreds of drivers are putting the lives of workers at risk by ignoring roadworks and diverted traffic signs, new analysis shows.
More than 400 drivers have deliberately entered closed-off areas where roadworks are taking place between January and July this year alone.
Data from National Highways shows that more than half of the incursions now involve drivers trying to avoid queues, closures or diversions.
The transport organisation suggested that there are growing concerns that the practice could become more common as drivers get frustrated with delays.
The number of drivers aiming to avoid queues by breaching roadworks has grown from 47 per cent at the start of the decade to 53 per cent in 2026.
Last year, 1,633 incursions were recorded on motorways and major A-roads across England, prompting experts to issue a warning.
National Highways stated that most incursions were deliberate, although some were unintentional or involved factors like a breakdown.
Commenting on the data, Melanie Clarke OBE, Director of Health, Safety and Wellbeing at National Highways, called on motorists to follow road rules.
More than 400 drivers deliberately entered closed-off roadwork areas between January and July this year
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GETTY
She said: “These figures show a worrying number of drivers wilfully ignoring roadworks to save time, putting roadworkers and other people at risk.
“Our roadworkers have the right to carry out repairs and improvements safely and we ask all drivers to follow signed routes and never enter restricted areas.”
The incidents have prompted roadworkers in some areas to completely close roads to avoid any danger, although this does add time to journeys.
Instances of this include a section of the M1 in Hertfordshire being completely shut off to protect workers, meaning drivers were forced to follow a 10-mile diversion.
Several people have been fined for ignoring roadworks and driving into restricted areas
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NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
Another instance saw a BMW enter a closed-off roadworks area on the A47 near Wisbech during overnight resurfacing works.
The incident, in May 2023, saw the driver slapped with a four-month driving ban and £788 in fines and costs.
In February 2024, a vehicle on the A2 Bean Interchange in Kent entered a full carriageway closure and collided with a traffic management vehicle.
The driver was eventually convicted of dangerous driving and received a two-year suspended prison sentence, a two-year driving ban and 200 hours of community service.
National Highways said it would continue working with partners to prioritise safety for workers
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NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
Sinead Ryan, Traffic Management Foreman for HW Martin, suggested that people fail to realise how dangerous the job can be.
She said: “We work close to live traffic and, while we can do everything possible to keep ourselves safe, we can’t control the actions of drivers.
“When someone ignores a closure or drives into a work area, it only takes a second for someone to get hurt.
“There are real people working behind those cones and all we’re trying to do is get home safely at the end of the day.”