Officers in Dacorum have issued a plea to A41 motorists to reduce their speed in the event of a lane closure after they witnessed several dangerous manoeuvres in recent weeks.
The stretch of dual carriageway in Dacorum, between Hemel Hempstead and Tring, is regularly attended by officers dealing with broken-down vehicles or collisions and due to the lack of hard shoulder, this often requires them to close a lane.
This type of closure allows police, other emergency services and recovery companies to work safely at the scene while still enabling traffic to flow.
However, in recent weeks officers have witnessed concerning behaviour from motorists driving past the lane closures which is putting themselves and others at risk.
PC Jake Smith, from the Dacorum Intervention and Response Team, said: “Recently we have attended several incidents on the A41 which have required a lane closure, but despite using blue lights, cones and signs to indicate that there is an obstruction ahead, some motorists have failed to adjust their speed accordingly.
“Others wait until the very last second to change from Lane 1 to Lane 2, meaning we have witnessed near misses with other vehicles. This behaviour puts those managing the road closure at risk, as well as the occupants of a stationary vehicle and any recovery agents who are working to retrieve that vehicle.
“This particular stretch of the A41 is hilly in places, with several blind corners, so that makes it especially important to drive mindfully. If you are travelling on this road, please be aware of potential lane closures at all times and ensure you drive safely. If people continue to drive in an unsafe manner in this situation, then they run the risk of being reported.”
Hertfordshire Constabulary advises motorists to adjust speed accordingly, plan ahead, remove distractions, and practice progressive breaking.
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