Everyday it seems like a motorway is closed for the police to deal with an incident but anger is growing among motorists that the major roads are being shut for longer than is necessary.
The closures appear to last longer because police now label serious smashes as crime scenes and investigate them as such.
They are following a manual which was introduced bv the Association of Chief Police Officers to create the same set of standards nationwide. The manual was written by Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom.
Even Jeremy Clarkson was moved to comment on the frequency and length of motorway closures in last week's Top Gear TV programme.
The RAC Foundation says it can understand drivers' frustration but the police need to get on with their job.
A spokeswoman told PistonHeads: “We do recognised the frustration it causes when a motorway is closed but they are extremely difficult to get out of. Police only close a motorway for the most serious incidents.
“You can see it from both sides – the police need to get as much evidence as possible and drivers need to be on their way.”
She added: “We would like to see much more information about what is going on and why. The police should also place diversions to prevent people joining heavy traffic.”
The Highways Agency told pistonheads.com that they don't close motorways that often – and usually rely on a 'rolling road block' to create opportunity for debris to be cleared from the roadway to the hard shoulder.
A spokesman added: “Other incidents are police-led, especially if it involves an injury and we are instructed by the police to close the motorway.
“This is for the police to carry out an investigation and they then hand the road back to us and we can't start a recovery until that happens. We always try to get the road opened as soon as possible after that.”
ACPO did not return calls.