Drivers have been warned to remain vigilant when driving on busy motorways as failure to do so has lead to catastrophic accidents.
National Highways monitored the M6 route in the West Midlands and found that drivers who were carelessly driving, narrowly missed colliding with road workers.
In a new campaign showing footage from National Highways traffic officers, it highlighted the need for drivers to take extra caution during road works, traffic and speeding on narrow roads.
The introduction of body cameras as well as vehicle cameras makes it easier to capture incidents of dangerous driving and abuse, National Highways detailed.
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Introduction of body cameras as well as vehicle cameras makes it easier to capture incidents
PAThrough its footage it showed incidents where traffic officers and road workers escaped serious injury at the hands of dangerous drivers.
The warning comes as more UK major motorways are set to undergo improvements and maintenance, with the M1 most recently being affected in April.
One of the traffic officers said he suffered two frightening near misses on the M6 in the West Midlands at the hand of reckless drivers.
Michel Reitsma, traffic officer for National Highways, said: “We don’t stop traffic for the sake of it, we are trying to keep the area safe.
“You are trying to do your job, trying to help people and protect them and there are some with a mindset to be abusive or behave recklessly. It is just not necessary.”
This body camera showed how Reitsma had stopped traffic at Spaghetti Junction as workers were in the carriageway repairing a pothole.
An impatient driver ignored the road block and drove around the traffic officer vehicle, nearly hitting Reitsma in the process as he was getting out of his car.
He explained how before he got out of the vehicle, he first checked his mirror and the vehicle in question was still there.
He shared: “As I opened the door they came past. They had to squeeze between a wall and my vehicle and clipped the mirror – but it could have been me.”
On another occasion, Watford Gap based traffic officer, Pippa Barnes had to run to the verge to avoid being hit by a vehicle.
She was attending an incident involving a broken down vehicle on the A45, when the incident occurred.
Barnes explained how the car was moving at around 70mph and coming towards the vehicle.
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UK major motorways are set to undergo improvements and maintenance
PAThe driver swerved at the last minute but hit a tanker instead, ripping her wing mirror off, Barnes stated, the action was due to the driver not seeing the warning lights.
Barnes added: “All we ask is that people are vigilant and realise that their journey isn’t always going to be straightforward, that things happen and there may be obstructions on the route. Think ahead, not just to the end of the bonnet.
"The safety and wellbeing of our own workforce and our supply chain workers is an absolute priority.
"Anyone who puts that safety at risk either intentionally or carelessly should be aware that it will not be tolerated and we will work with police to take action against those who do so."
