PLEASE HELP!!! X lane on motorway

[manchester12345]

So I was driving on the m25 between Sevenoaks and gatwick when the speed limit changed to 5o I was in the lane before the first lane which would have been the hard shoulder. So I moved to that lane as I always stick to the speed limit and people get right up behind me.

Went through a lot of the gantry which is on the left of the motorway as it is a smart motorway. Then I realised that there was an x on that lane. So I immediately moved to the right and someone was in front of me ahead and someone was behind me. If I travelled previously through the x's am I going to get a fine and would I get ppints too.

[manchester12345]

So I was driving on the m25 between Sevenoaks and gatwick when the speed limit changed to 5o I was in the lane before the first lane which would have been the hard shoulder. So I moved to that lane as I always stick to the speed limit and people get right up behind me.

Went through a lot of the gantry which is on the left of the motorway as it is a smart motorway. Then I realised that there was an x on that lane. So I immediately moved to the right and someone was in front of me ahead and someone was behind me. If I travelled previously through the x's am I going to get a fine and would I get ppints too.

[anonymous-user]

Don't think the legislation for camera enforcement is in place yet or will be anytime soon the way "the system" works

http://www.transport-network.co.uk/Highways-Englan...

[Ekona]

In theory, if you're caught going through an X lane it's the same as jumping a red light. However, AFAIK the cameras on managed motorways only catch speeding cars and not those in closed lanes.

[manchester12345]

is the same as smart motorways too. I've never done it before always been a very cautious driver don't know how I didn't noticed.

[manchester12345]

[MrBarry123]

#thoughtiwasbeingcleverusinganemptylaneandnowrealisewhyitwasempty

[manchester12345]

[url]|http://thumbsnap.com/ZRvwB7Mp[/url

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=m25+smart+motorw...

Hi it was a sign like this. I'm really worried I will get a ticket been driving for 8 years and have a clean license. Do you think I will be ok

[manchester12345]

Actually when I realised and saw the closed sign there was someone in front of me further down and behind me as looked when I moved.

1. thanksforthesarcasm

[Type R Tom]

I believe they are trying to change the law to make the X 3 points but it's not happened yet.

[civicduty]

Some help from a government web page here, think you may have to wait and see if anything appears in the post.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-drive-on-a-smar...

[civicduty]

Type R Tom said:

I believe they are trying to change the law to make the X 3 points but it's not happened yet.

West Midlands Police have this to say.


https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/keeping-you-sa...

[s p a c e m a n]

There's only cameras in 2 locations on that stretch, they both flash. Did you see a flash and can you narrow down what gantry you went under? See so many morons get caught out by these when travelling in the opposite direction trying to queue jump, amuses me greatly because it's always blatant what they're doing and you can see it coming a mile off

[Ali Chappussy]

Quick question.

On most motorways you get advanced warning of a lane closure, the signs are big enough. Did this not happen in your case?

[manchester12345]

I think because it went to 50 then 40 I was conceno rating on keeping to that speed because I know they've got cameras all along there. Plus there was someone in front of me. Stupid I know I should have paid more attention.

[Riley Blue]

speedyguy said:

Don't think the legislation for camera enforcement is in place yet or will be anytime soon the way "the system" works

http://www.transport-network.co.uk/Highways-Englan...

Where is written,
"Failure to comply with a lawful traffic sign is an offence under section 36(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the penalty is a fine up to £1000, plus 3 penalty points or disqualification. But Highways England said that prosecution of the offence is difficult as it requires that it be witnessed by a police officer."

So if a police officer didn't spot you, you're in the clear. Were any around at the time?

[manchester12345]

No i don't believe a I saw any police officers.

[Riley Blue]

Then it seems you have no reason to be concerned.

[AH33]

"Smart" motorways.... yeah right

[agtlaw]

Riley Blue said:

"But Highways England said that prosecution of the offence is difficult as it requires that it be witnessed by a police officer."

No it doesn't. The point, badly made, is that there isn't a 'lane closed' camera. It's actually news to me that there isn't a 'lane closed' camera system - which probably accounts for the lack of prosecutions.

A s.36 offence can be detected by a red light camera (in appropriate cases), a police officer, a HATO, a member of the public. There's no reason that video evidence couldn't be used.