The video clips feature two examples of workers narrowly escaping serious injury when inattentive drivers ignore signs on the road and do not slow down. The footage has been produced as new figures show that last year saw the highest number of serious injuries among incident response teams since 2007, with 10 road workers suffering major injuries.

The footage released today includes a video (click here) of a lorry almost crashing into a Highways Agency Traffic Officer vehicle which was attending a breakdown on the M6 near Birmingham. This was despite a red “X” being displayed on the overhead gantry to show the lane was closed.

And there’s also footage (click here) of a lorry continuing in a lane where a red “X” has been displayed on an overhead gantry and then crashing through the traffic cones protecting a maintenance crew.

Roads minister John Hayes said: ‘The safety of those who work around the clock to carry out vital improvements and keep drivers moving after incidents is absolutely paramount. It is not worth putting road workers’ lives at risk, let alone the tragic impact on their lives and those of their families, simply to shave a few seconds off your journey.’

The Highways Agency added that between 2009 and 2013, eight road workers died and 317 were injured while working on or near motorways and major A roads in England. In 2013 the numbers reached their lowest level with no fatalities and 30 injuries. Of these 30 injuries, 18 were serious involving 10 road workers from incident response teams and 8 from construction and maintenance teams.

The importance of safety on England’s motorways and major A roads will be highlighted in a four-part documentary series entitled “The Motorway: Life in the Fast Lane”, which will be broadcast on BBC2 this month, starting Tuesday 9th September at 9pm.