Police probe M6 wrong way driving incidents

Police are investigating reports of several drivers travelling in the wrong direction on an M6 slip road, in order to avoid delays following a crash on the motorway.

A Lancashire Police spokesperson said they had received a report of a crash near junction 34 of the M6 in Lancaster on Sunday afternoon, and were told several drivers had subsequently gone the wrong way back up the slip road to avoid being caught in queues.

Thankfully nobody was seriously hurt, but police said drivers' actions could have had "devastating consequences".

The warning comes days after a car travelling the wrong way on the A66 in Teesside crashed into a police vehicle, killing seven people, including the two officers.

In a post on social media, Lancashire Police said at about 13:45 BST on Sunday "we received a report of a collision on the M6 northbound near to junction 34, and as a result, there were people turning around and driving the wrong way back up the slip road to avoid joining the motorway.

"Thankfully nobody was seriously hurt, either in the collision or due to this incident, but as we have seen in other parts of the country this weekend, these actions can have utterly devastating consequences."

They said they had identified a number of the vehicles and drivers involved in the incident and "will take the appropriate action against them".

"Being stuck in standstill or slow-moving traffic can be frustrating - we get it, but it is never an excuse to put the lives of those around you, and your own life at risk," the force said.

"Nobody got hurt yesterday [Sunday], but that outcome could have so easily been different.

"We will not tolerate driving that endangers lives."

Police have appealed for anyone with dashcam or mobile phone footage, or further information, to contact them.

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