Would you know what to do if confronted by this traffic sign?
Would you know what to do if confronted by the above traffic sign?
Judging by the reaction to a lorry driver's viral video of multiple cars driving straight past two red crosses above a tunnel entrance in Wales - many people still don't know the rules of the road well enough.
The 50-second video was taken by HGV driver Kyle Clements on 24 August on the A55 outside the entrance to the Conwy Tunnel, which goes under the Conwy river in north Wales. Clements, from Coventry, posted it on TikTok the following day where it shows up to 20 cars driving straight into the tunnel with drivers either ignoring or not noticing the large, flashing signs.
It has since gone viral, gaining 2 million views and thousands of comments - with most criticising the drivers but some admitting they were unsure whether they would know what to do.
Clements, 19, who correctly stopped outside the tunnel, told Yahoo News around 25 cars went past him in total and no other vehicles waited.
He posted the clip with the caption “no words” with many users agreeing with his sentiment. "Ummm isn't that a ticket each for passing the red X?", wrote one user.
Several others, however, appeared confused by what they should do.
"I would never just stop on the highway. If I encounter a red cross above my lane without a warning before I'll probably continue. There should always be a red traffic light or arrow," wrote one user.
Another said: "To be fair and been so much lower down in a car i wouldnt even notice that. If its closed, signs need to be a bit more dramatic to be fair."
While another summed up the thoughts of others: "I’m a relatively new driver - if there’s no warnings beforehand what do you expect them to do? Cause carnage."
According to Traffic Wales, driving in a 'Red X' lane is illegal and those caught face a fine of up to £100 and three points on their licence.
Traffic Wales' website reads: “The Red X signals are essential to keep everyone safe on the roads. They show when a lane is closed, which helps drivers who may be having trouble. Sometimes, a Red X signal is activated well in advance to facilitate access for emergency services or to assist drivers in re-joining the motorway from emergency areas. Please help by leaving spaces in traffic so others can move to open lanes.”
North Wales Police told Yahoo News the signs had been activated following a road traffic collision further down the road. "We received a call at 3.38pm on Saturday 24th August, reporting a two vehicle RTC in lane 2 of the westbound carriageway of the A55 near the Llanfairfechan roundabout. Officers attended and the incident was cleared by 4.07pm."
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at The AA, said: “The Highway Code is crystal clear and says any flashing red ’X’ above a lane means it is closed and should not be used. The HGV driver was correct to stop as both lanes are shut for traffic.
“Driving through a closed red ‘X’ lane is treated seriously with those driving through run the risk of receiving a £100 fine and three points on their licence.”
In 2016, drivers were caught illegally driving through the same tunnel after the Red X signs were implemented as a trial to improve traffic. The then local MP Edwina Hart said: “Many drivers disobeyed those signals and we had to revert to the original arrangements.”
