Twenty drivers fined after hard shoulder crash incident

Twenty "reckless" drivers blocked emergency crews from reaching a crash scene after using a motorway's hard shoulder to bypass queues.

The motorists have all been fined following the incident on the M5 near Junction 12 (Gloucester) on Sunday, police confirmed.

Ambulance crews were delayed from reaching the occupants of an overturned motorhome who needed medical attention due to drivers blocking the hard shoulder.

A Gloucestershire Police spokesperson said: "This reckless behaviour not only endangered lives but also obstructed emergency services who were working at the scene."

Some of the 20 drivers said that they thought the hard shoulder had been opened as a lane. Others told police they were just following people ahead, and some stated they wanted to leave at the next junction and decided to queue on the hard shoulder.

Acting Sgt Mike Turnbull said: "Offenders can face fines, penalty points, and prosecution for the offence of driving or stopping on the hard shoulder.

"The Highway Code clearly states the hard shoulder must not be used for overtaking or avoiding congestion. Using the hard shoulder to avoid traffic is not only selfish - it's illegal and drivers using the hard shoulder inappropriately will be prosecuted."

Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.