Ignoring the red cross above the road can be life-threatening, but it is still ignored every day.
This problem, which is increasingly experienced by police, paramedics, tow trucks and road workers, creates dangerous situations on motorways. A red cross above a lane means that it is closed, usually due to a dangerous situation ahead that is not immediately visible to arriving drivers.
The scenario can vary from an ambulance caring for the injured after an accident to people standing disoriented on the road after a collision. It is often frightening for emergency services when cars ignore the closed lane and drive close to the incident. This leads to chaotic situations where cars have to merge at the last minute.
The fines for ignoring the red cross are not easy. In Flanders, fines start from 174 euros for those who receive an amicable settlement. In the Netherlands, the minimum fine is 240 euros, with the public prosecutor determining the exact amount, because the fine falls under criminal law. Special road inspectors also have the authority to issue a report for this offense.
Most offenders claim they did not see the red cross. They are often distracted by activities such as texting, making phone calls or setting up their navigation system. Some even think that the cross was unnecessary. These distractions and misconceptions only make the situation more dangerous.
More and more resources are being used to combat ignoring red crosses. This varies from increased enforcement to awareness campaigns. Yet the problem remains persistent. According to a police spokesperson, the consequences are often serious and sometimes even fatal. “Every time a red cross is ignored, drivers are endangering not only their own lives, but also the lives of others, including first responders trying to do their job in an already stressful situation.”
A road worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “It is incredibly frustrating and frightening to see drivers driving recklessly through a closed lane. We have already seen several near misses that put our own safety at risk.”
Paramedics share these concerns. “We have often had to stop our work because cars are approaching us at high speed, despite clear signaling,” says an ambulance nurse. “The red cross is there for a reason. It is there to protect lives, both those of the victims and those of the first responders.”
The seriousness of the situation does not always seem to get through to the drivers. A recent study by the Institute for Mobility found that a significant number of drivers are unaware of the exact meaning of the red cross or the risks of ignoring it. There is an urgent need for more education and awareness to reverse this dangerous trend.
Social workers argue for harsher penalties and more supervision. “Fines alone are not enough,” says a representative of the roadside assistance service. “We need more visible enforcement and possibly even physical barriers to prevent people from entering the closed lane.”
It is clear that the problem of ignoring the red cross on motorways is a complex and urgent issue. With the right combination of enforcement, education and infrastructure improvements, this dangerous practice can hopefully come to an end. Until then, it remains a matter of life and death on the roads.
