Drivers to get spot fines for driving in closed motorway lanes

Staff writer
Cars use the M3 "smart" motorway near Longcross, Surrey after it opened today. The 13.4-mile stretch between Farnborough and the M25 is now a four-lane carriageway after the main construction work was completed. Motorists have faced years of delays and disruption since work began in late 2014. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday July 3, 2017.

Highways England is set to clamp down on drivers misusing so-called 'smart motorways', by issuing fines and penalty points to those who ignore overhead gantries.

You've probably seen smart motorways before, where the hard shoulder can run as a live lane during busy times to ease congestion. However, it's sometimes still necessary to close the hard shoulder to traffic, in the event of an accident for example.

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