Motorway madness is revealed
THEY are the reckless, confused and befuddled motorists who potentially put lives at risk by making dangerous and illegal manoeuvres on West Midlands motorways.
There have been incidents of driving towards oncoming traffic, making U-turns, reversing and going down the wrong slip road.
Police records now show how some drivers got it all wrong when venturing onto the motorway, in the worst ways possible.
Officers leapt into action after spotting or being alerted to motorists making hazardous decisions on the M6, M5 and M42, as traffic sped past at 70mph. Worryingly, this included people who drove the wrong way up the motorway, either deliberately or accidentally after getting themselves mixed up.
West Midlands Police issued five tickets for driving the wrong way on a motorway between 2018 and March 2021, records showed. Dozens more were handed out for other motorway offences.
A total of 65 people were given tickets for driving the wrong way on a slip road. This could have included drivers who mistakenly went onto the wrong entry slip road or those desperately trying to escape traffic on the motorway. One of the most common motorway offences drivers get punished for, aside from speeding, is driving on the hard shoulder when not permitted. The hard shoulder should normally be left clear to allow stricken vehicles to safely seek refuge, though this is not always the case on controversial smart motorways.
Some 383 tickets were issued by police over the three-year period for this reason. Motorists were punished for failing to follow other rules too. A total of 22 vehicles with trailers, such as lorries, were spotted travelling in the outside lane. Elsewhere, six learner drivers were stopped after entering onto motorways. Outside of special courses, this is not allowed.
In January, dangerous driver Khizar Tahir hit speeds of 70mph as he drove towards oncoming traffic on the wrong side of the motorway. Stunned motorists were forced to take avoiding action as Tahir hurtled towards them on the M6 Toll and M42 for up to four miles.
Police eventually arrested him “smelling of intoxicating liquor” but the 27-year-old repeatedly failed to provide a breath sample. An officer present said it was “sheer luck” he didn’t kill anyone.
Tahir, of Hodge Hill, was jailed for 21 months after being found guilty of dangerous driving.
Tahir hit speeds of 70mph on the wrong side of the motorway. Stunned motorists were forced to take avoiding action.