Got a notice to prosecute today - Please advise

[Twincharge]

Chaps,

I came home from work this afternoon and found a letter from Greater Manchester Police stating that they intend to prosecute me;



I recall the incident, I was coming off the M60 to get onto the M62 headed for Liverpool. It is busy at that hour, and there was a notice of the right lane on the slip road being closed. I was already on the right lane, crawling along and trying to get into the left. Further up was a Police car I think, with an Officer with a clipboard. I eventually managed to get into the left lane before I reached the parked Police car. I noted that the Officer seemed to be taking notes on cars, I just assumed it was some sort of incident and he was taking note of certain cars incase they need to be contacted??

So, I was very surprised and annoyed to receive this, I really did not expect it, I was not speeding or anything.

Please advise, I know others must have also gotten this notice today.

[Bill]

How were they telling you the lane was closed? If you drove under a red X they have you bang to rights.

[Twincharge]

Bill said:

How were they telling you the lane was closed? If you drove under a red X they have you bang to rights.

I must have driven under a Red X as the sliproad started, but I was already in that lane and trying to get into the left side. I've no idea why the lane was closed in the first instance.

[Andyuk911]

If you went under a red cross, the lane is closed, so unfortunately a lesson learnt. I assume this is £100 fine and 3 points.

[fuzzy2240]

I'll just leave this here: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/40-dri...

[TheEnd]

He's famous!

[anonymous-user]

If I were Spec Savers I'd be looking to open an extra branch in Manchester, as there appears to be some unmet demand for vision correction amongst the local motorists.

[SK425]

Twincharge said:

I was not speeding or anything.

WTF has that got to do with it?

[Twincharge]

Fair enough, I've never had points on my license ever at the age of 44 now.

[Bill]

Reading that linked article you might get away with a driver awareness course.

[trashbat]

That's a drive motor vehicle fail if ever I saw one.

[Twincharge]

Thanks to all for responding, I guess next time I will stop bang in the middle of where I am on the motorway and refuse to move until someone lets me in when I see a Red X.

[CAPP0]

I have to say, I see SO many people proceeding with impunity under red Xs on the motorways, whilst the law-abiding amongst us sit and queue, that it's high time this was enforced more rigorously. Sorry OP, but however your journey panned out immediately prior to this, the red X is effectively a replacement for an effing great fixed barrier across the carriageway, at the point where it is displayed. Practicalities prevent barriers being physically deployed, in the same way that, if they WERE deployed, it would prevent you physically proceeding beyond that point, so that's what you are supposed to heed and do! They don't light up the gantries just because they think it makes the place look pretty!

[anonymous-user]

No, next time read the road ahead and/or don't complain when your rubbish observation skills land you in the soup.

PS: LicenCe. HTH.

[Dan_1981]

So its an offence to drive down a lane with a red cross, but what about one that doesn't have a red cross but nor does it have a speed limit to indicate its open, specifically speaking about managed motorways that utilise the hard shoulder running.

[trashbat]

Was there no 'this lane is closing' warning in advance?

It's not something you encounter very often, I admit, but it's one of the clear 'MUST NOT' bits in the Highway Code.

[Twincharge]

There was a overhanging structure right as the sliproad towards Liverpool starts which had the Red X on it.

I have to admit that I am very law abiding, and never jump ahead and try to force my way in, I hate that and having to be in that situation would make me feel vey uncomfortable.

I was not complaining, just annoyed as I did try to move across in good time. People just don't like to let you in.

I do a lot of motorway miles, and always observe signals, never had points or been in an accident.

I will just have to see what happens - thanks to all.

[340600]

Dan_1981 said:

So its an offence to drive down a lane with a red cross, but what about one that doesn't have a red cross but nor does it have a speed limit to indicate its open, specifically speaking about managed motorways that utilise the hard shoulder running.

Usual rules apply when the signs are blank. So the hard shoulder should only be used for emergencies as per normal.

[Rude-boy]

CAPP0 said:

They don't light up the gantries just because they think it makes the place look pretty!

Honestly you do wonder sometimes though. quite often I have seen matrix signs lit for no reason.

Don't start me on the 50-60-40-60-30 piss takes on the M42 I have encountered.

[anonymous-user]

Matrix signs and managed motorways are two different things though. Matrix signs are just advisory.