At least 15 motorists ignored a red cross on the A110 near Ridderkerk on Monday morning.
This traffic sign, indicating a lane closure, was ignored while a broken-down vehicle was standing still. The police and Rijkswaterstaat have been warning about the dangers of this behavior for some time, but this new wave of violations underlines the urgency of the problem.
According to regional broadcaster Rijnmond, a motorist with a breakdown was in the left lane of the A15, causing the lane to be closed with a red cross. This is done as standard to ensure the safety of the driver, road workers and emergency services. But instead of following the warning, more than a hundred road users chose to continue using the lane.
The police, who arrived to help the stranded motorist, were shocked by the mass disregard for the closure. "The victim of the breakdown was very scared and did not dare to get out. At the risk of our own lives, we went to the victim," the police reported. "To our great surprise, many vehicles ignored the Red Cross."
The consequences for the stubborn drivers are not long in coming. All 110 motorists who have been caught ignoring the red cross can soon expect a fine of at least 290 euros on their doormat. The police are using cameras above the highways to identify and fine offenders.
Ignoring a red cross is not only a violation, but also entails major risks. Rijkswaterstaat has been campaigning for some time to create awareness of the dangers. “By doing this, road users not only endanger themselves, but also our road inspectors and other emergency services. Think of the police, recovery vehicles and ambulance personnel, for example. Their vehicles are sometimes even hit, despite the fact that they are in a closed lane,” Rijkswaterstaat emphasizes on its website.
This warning is not an empty slogan. In the past, several serious accidents have occurred because motorists ignored a red cross. For example, in 2022, a Rijkswaterstaat road inspector was hit on the A12 while he was standing in a closed lane. The result was a serious accident with serious injuries.
It remains a persistent problem, despite fines and awareness campaigns. Some drivers give the excuse that they saw the red cross 'too late' or thought it did not apply to them. Others believe that the closure is unnecessary and consciously take the risk. But the figures do not lie: every year dozens of accidents occur on lanes that are clearly closed.
Rijkswaterstaat is once again calling on road users to adhere to the rules. “A red cross is there for a reason. We only use it when there is real danger, such as a breakdown, an accident or roadworks. Someone who ignores it is literally playing with people's lives.”
With the recent wave of violations on the A15, the question remains how this problem can be structurally solved. Stricter controls and higher fines are being considered, but awareness remains the most important factor. For now, the 110 motorists caught will feel their mistake in their wallets, but whether behavior will actually change remains the big question.
