Rogue lorries threaten road workers

FRIGHTENING footage of lorries ignoring warning signs and almost crashing into motorway maintenance workers has been released by the Highways Agency.

One video clip shows a lorry avoiding one of the agency's traffic officer vehicles which was attending a breakdown on the M6 near Birmingham.

The truck also just avoids the traffic officers and the passengers in the broken down car.

Another piece of film shows a lorry failing to pay attention to a Red X sign showing that a lane of the M42 near Birmingham was closed.

Fortunately, the driver misses any road workers but does come close, crashing into some cones.

The footage has been produced as new figures show that last year saw the highest number of serious injuries among incident response teams since 2007, with 10 road workers suffering major injuries.

Roads Minister John Hayes said: "The safety of those who work around the clock to carry out vital improvements and keep drivers moving after incidents is absolutely paramount.

"It is not worth putting road workers' lives at risk, let alone the tragic impact on their lives and those of their families, simply to shave a few seconds off your journey."

By Peter Woodman, Press Association