Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail any steps she is taking to reduce the risk to motorists from vehicles travelling in the wrong direction on (i) motorways; and (ii) other major roads.
Minister for Infrastructure: I am aware of recent social media trends and videos showing vehicles being driven deliberately in the wrong direction on roads. This is extremely dangerous, creates a serious risk for all road users and where a person deliberately ignores clear direction and drives against the flow of traffic, the issue is one of unlawful driver behaviour and falls to the PSNI for enforcement.
My Department designs, manages and maintains the road network in line with established technical standards and guidance, including the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges where applicable. These standards, alongside signing policies and prescribed traffic signs, inform the layout of roads, junctions, motorway slip roads, roundabouts and other major road junctions to provide clear and consistent guidance on the correct direction of travel.
Direction signs, regulatory signs, lane lines, edge lines, directional arrows, hatched areas and reflective road studs all help guide road users, particularly at junctions and during darkness or poor weather, by identifying the correct lane, carriageway edge and direction of travel.
The Highway Code reinforces driver responsibility by making clear that drivers must obey traffic signs giving orders and should understand and act on the information relayed by other traffic signs and road markings. This means that, while my Department provides signs, markings and studs to guide road users safely, drivers are responsible for complying with that direction.
As part of the maintenance of the road network, my officials also consider and implement additional or refreshed signing, road markings, studs or other measures as required.
However, where a person deliberately ignores clear direction and drives against the flow of traffic, the issue remains one of unlawful driver behaviour and falls to the PSNI for enforcement.
ENDS
