WATCH: Driver smashes through roadworks near Wisbech
National Highways have released the footage to highlight the dangers and potentially fatal consequences of roadwork incursions
Last updated 24th Oct 2023
A driver has been banned after breaking through a road barrier near Wisbech, narrowly avoiding workers in the road who had to jump for cover.
The dramatic CCTV footage shows a silver BMW breaking through a temporary and illuminated barrier as contractors are forced to jump out of the way as the male driver ignores warnings to stop.
The incident occurred during the evening of 24th May this year, as overnight resurfacing works took place on the A47 near Wisbech in Cambridgeshire. The road was closed at the time to all traffic apart from construction vehicles and machinery.
National Highways and its contractors Ringway – who were carrying out the work – have released the footage to highlight the dangers and potentially fatal consequences of roadwork incursions – that is when a vehicle is driven through a closed-off section of road.
The latest figures for roadwork incursions across the east of the country are set to more than double this year. To date, there have been 220 incidents this calendar year. Across the entirety of 2022 there were 122.
Heather Openshaw, National Highways’ Head of Service Delivery in the East Region, described the footage as shocking and highly dangerous. She continued: “There can be no excuse for this type of incident, and we are lucky no one was seriously injured or killed.
“As we know from the latest figures, we are seeing a disturbing and sharp rise with this form of reckless and ignorant driving, and we will continue to do all we can to raise awareness of the issue.
“We, alongside the relevant authorities, will continue to pursue enforcement action against those whose behaviour behind the wheel endangers the lives of those working to improve our roads.”
Following the incident, a 29-year-old man from March in Cambridgeshire was subject of a police investigation and reported for a number of offences.
He subsequently pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, failing to stop at the scene of an accident as well as failure to report an accident.
Last month, at Peterborough Magistrates Court, the driver was banned from driving for four months and issued with a fine and costs that amounted to £788.