More than one motorist per week faces prosecution for driving the wrong way on motorways in England and Wales, according to new research based on court records. These dangerous maneuvers, including reversing along carriageways, performing U-turns, or driving against the flow of traffic at speeds of up to 70 mph, put lives at risk and often occur when drivers miss an exit junction.

In the 30 weeks leading up to August 2026, 31 drivers were charged with criminal offenses related to wrong-way driving on motorways. Convicted individuals typically face substantial fines, court fees, and potential driving bans.

This issue has gained heightened attention following a tragic incident on the M9 in Co. Kildare, where five teenagers died last Sunday when their BMW crashed while traveling the wrong way, reportedly in an attempt to evade police. Three women and a seven-year-old boy in the other vehicle sustained serious injuries.

Data from National Highways, obtained by the Press Association in June, logged 947 incidents involving oncoming vehicles on England's motorways in the 12 months to May 11. While National Highways states that confirmed wrong-way driving incidents remain rare, these figures may represent only a fraction of actual occurrences.

Recent court cases highlight the severity of such offenses. Ervis Hatellari, 38, was convicted after being caught reversing his Nissan Qashqai along the M11 in Essex on New Year's Eve 2025. He was fined £660, banned from driving for a year, and ordered to pay £120 in costs and a £264 victim surcharge. At the time of the incident, his driving license had been revoked, and the vehicle was uninsured.

Another case involved van driver Daniel Udrescu, 57, who apologized for a "moment of poor judgment" after reversing up the slip road for the M6 toll in Staffordshire. He told police he had gone the wrong way while attempting to reach Glasgow. He received three penalty points, a £445 fine, £120 in costs, and a £178 victim surcharge. The officer also noted he was not wearing his seatbelt.

In May, Innocent Ayodele, 32, an NHS worker, was caught driving the wrong way up an entry slip road on the M61 to escape a traffic jam. He told Preston Magistrates' Court he was trying to get home to his pregnant wife. Having accumulated nine penalty points already, he faces a potential driving ban upon sentencing.

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, described driving the wrong way onto a motorway as "truly the stuff of nightmares."