Drivers are being warned that motorway cameras are now being used to monitor red X lanes; with drivers facing a fixed penalty notice of a £100 fine and three penalty points for infringements.

Drivers will now receive a fixed penalty notice of £100 and three penalty points for red X lane infringements

The move was announced four weeks ago after legislation was laid by the Home Office to enable footage from remote or automated devices to automatically enforce red X offences – as well as correct use of the hard shoulder.

GEM road safety officer Neil Worth commented: “Red X signs are often displayed well ahead of motorway incident, as they help ensure that emergency vehicles can reach the incident. Someone might be stranded in that lane, or there may well be emergency or recovery workers assisting at a collision or a breakdown.

“That’s why using a motorway lane with a red X is not only illegal but also very dangerous.”