Drivers Caught REVERSING Up Motorway Slip Road To Avoid Traffic Jam

These motorists have been accused of putting lives at risk in a brazen display of dangerous driving on a motorway slip road.

A number of impatient drivers were caught on camera reverse off a motorway slip road, directly into the path of oncoming traffic, in a bid to avoid congestion.

A string of cars were seen driving backwards onto the roundabout at junction 10 of the M11 while a video shows a white van driver carry out a three-point-turn on the slip road.

Reversing on a motorway – including its slip roads – is a criminal offence, which carries the risk of a fine and three points on a licence.

The motorists were caught on camera breaking the law and risking lives to avoid congestion following an accident involving an overturned car near Duxford, Cambridgeshire, on Thursday.

While emergency services worked to clear the scene, a number of drivers decided to take the extreme – illegal – measures to avoid delays.

Some drivers pulled off a three-point turn after reversing

A police spokesman said their driving was inexcusable.

‘While we understand it can be very frustrating, and often long delays are caused by road collisions, we must highlight how dangerous it is to not adhere to the rules of the road,’ she said.

'Reversing on a motorway, including on a slip road or the hard shoulder, is an offence and can result in a fine and points on your licence, not to mention the risk of causing a collision and serious injury.

'If motorists find themselves caught up in the build-up of traffic following a collision, we ask that you are patient - we will work to get the carriageway clear as quickly as we can for you.’

Paul Watters, head of roads policy at the AA, said he had ‘no sympathy’ for anyone caught attempting the manoeuvre.

Illegal: A number of drivers were caught out avoiding the jam

He said: ‘People will take desperate measures to avoid any delay, but I don’t have any sympathy with them, because the police would rightly prosecute them.

‘It’s dangerous, someone could easily come round the corner on the slip road. One accident shouldn’t lead to another one.’

Mr Watters added the images showed a need for improvements to signage at motorway entrances, to prevent long tailbacks forming in the first place.

He said: ‘It highlights the fact that if roads could be closed earlier and quicker, people can better avoid congestion.

‘We don’t really have signs at motorway entry points that we can use to close them, and I think there is a traffic management issue here for the road authorities. We still don’t seem to be getting the real-time traffic messages across to some drivers.’

However, he added: ‘Usually the delays aren’t a seven-hour wait, it’s normally just while they clear the scene.

‘The emergency services will have plans in place, and I think drivers shouldn’t be too fearful of long delays, because these plans do exist.’

The accident itself saw a 4x4, which was towing a trailer, tip over on the northbound carriageway near junction 11.

During the accident, it collided with an HGV, causing the lorry’s tyre to blow-out.

The male driver of the 4x4 escaped the crash unharmed.

Pictures from SWNS