Seventy-four drivers deliberately entered closed-off roadworks in the Midlands between January and July 2026, according to National Highways analysis.
The agency said 58% of incursions recorded in the region involved motorists attempting to avoid queues, closures or diversions. That was higher than the 53% average recorded nationally.
Roadworker safety concerns
Incursions are incidents in which vehicles enter restricted sections of roadworks. National Highways said the behaviour is increasing concern across the road transport sector because it exposes workers and other road users to danger.
Some incidents have resulted in motorways being fully closed to protect workers, causing additional delays for drivers. National Highways said a section of the M1 in Hertfordshire was recently shut after a series of particularly close calls, forcing motorists to follow a 10-mile diversion.
Across England, 1,633 incursions were recorded on motorways and major A-roads last year. While most involved drivers deliberately entering restricted areas to gain an advantage, other incidents were linked to breakdowns or unintentional entry.
Call to follow signed routes
Melanie Clarke OBE, National Highways’ director of health, safety and wellbeing, 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.”
Sinead Ryan, a traffic management foreman for HW Martin, said workers operated close to live traffic and could not control drivers’ actions.
“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,” she said.
National Highways said it was continuing to work with supply chain partners to reduce the risk of further incursions.