Are these UK's worst drivers? Shocking videos show car going wrong way on motorway among moments of madness

22 January 2025, 13:34 | Updated: 22 January 2025, 13:40

Are these Britain's worst drivers?

By Kit Heren

Dangerous overtaking, an insecure load falling into the path of motorists and even a car being driven the wrong way up a busy dual carriageway - are these Britain's worst drivers?

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Footage shared by Devon and Cornwall police shows multiple moments of madness on the road.

Clips include drivers mounting the verge on a busy road to overtake a lorry, going the wrong way past oncoming traffic, going the wrong way round the roundabout, and multiple other incidents of dangerous driving.

Several of the drivers were hit with bans, fines and points on their licence

Police, who are campaigning to slash driving deaths and boost road safety, have appealed for witnesses to come forward with footage of dangerous incidents.

And officers have been rewarded with 20,000 items of footage, some of which they have shared publicly.

Read more:Wrong-way driving on England's motorways increased by 15% in past year, investigation finds

Read more:Driver, 40, killed after 'driving the wrong way down M6' alongside four others was a 'former Top Gun pilot'

A driver almost runs a pedestrian down
A driver almost runs a pedestrian down. Picture: Devon and Cornwall Police

The sheer amount of footage sent to police is in part a result of the proliferation of dash cams and helmet cams, as well as phones, officers said.

Adrian Leisk, Devon & Cornwall Police’s head of road safety, said: “Police officers cannot be everywhere, so the public’s help is vital when it comes to keeping our roads safe.

“20,000 online submissions from concerned road users stands as testament of this effective partnership with our communities, recognising that we all want to be safe on the roads of Devon & Cornwall.

“Everyone will have witnessed driving or riding on our roads that falls far short of an acceptable standard – and quite often this behaviour puts people’s lives at risk. This is just not acceptable.

“By submitting video evidence of these incidents through Op Snap, it allows the police to take action, hold drivers accountable and educate or prosecute those who are falling short. By doing so, we hope to improve the overall standard of road use in Devon & Cornwall and, ultimately, reduce the number of people who are killed or seriously injured.

“Remember, more people than ever own dashcams, helmet cameras, mobile phones and even video doorbells, so it’s increasingly likely poor driving will be caught on camera.

“Submissions to Op Snap have resulted in everything from driver education courses to penalty points, hefty fines and even disqualifications. It’s just not worth the risk.”

A driver going the wrong way on a dual carriageway
A driver going the wrong way on a dual carriageway. Picture: Devon and Cornwall Police

Alison Hernandez, Police & Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, is chair of Vision Zero South West.

Commissioner Hernandez said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has taken the time to submit video footage to Op Snap – you are making a positive difference to the safety of road users across the region.

“While surpassing 20,000 submissions shows that the public is eager to work with us towards safer roads, ultimately we’d like to see submissions decrease as general driving standards improve.

“This is about saving lives. In 2023, 48 people were killed and 702 were seriously injured on Devon and Cornwall’s roads. All of Vision Zero’s members have committed to reducing the number of fatal and serious road collisions by 50% by 2030 – and Op Snap plays a big part in that.”

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

displaced Gazans walking toward Gaza City on January 27, 2025, after crossing the Netzarim corridor from the southern Gaza Strip.

Israeli troops withdraw from key militarised corridor that splits Gaza in two as part of ceasefire deal

The bodies of Andrew Searle and his wife Dawn were discovered by a neighbour in Les Pesquiès, south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, on Thursday afternoon.

Mysterious death of British couple in French villa suspected murder-suicide as investigators consider new theories

David Schwimmer has called for Elon Musk to ban Kanye West from X

Friends star David Schwimmer calls for Kanye West to be banned from X over 'hate-filled, ignorant' remarks

The NTSB recovers the debris of a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk involved in a mid-air collision near DCA in Arlington, VA.

All major parts of DC plane and Black Hawk helicopter involved in mid-air collision recovered, investigators confirm

A Thai hostage who was freed from Hamas, Pongsak Thaenna, hugs a relative upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi International Airport

'We never gave up hope': Freed Thai hostages in tears of joy as they reunite with families after more than a year

Harry and Meghan at the opening ceremony for the Invictus Games.

Meghan and Prince Harry cheer on Team UK at Invictus Games opening ceremony

Daisy the Labrador.

Stolen dog reunited with family after seven years

Irish boxer John Cooney.

Boxer dies from a brain bleed, from injury during championship fight

'Make Europe Great Again' Rally In Madrid

'Make Europe Great Again': Far-right European political leaders praise Trump at Madrid meeting

Kanye West.

Rapper Kanye West advertises t-shirt featuring a Nazi swastika, after 'antisemitic rampage' on X

Andrew Gwynne.

Minister sacked after posting he hoped 'pensioner who didn’t vote Labour would die' in WhatsApp group

Police officers hold back protesters trying to block the road.

Two arrested as protesters clash with police outside proposed site for new Chinese ‘mega-embassy’ in London

Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

'She's terrible': Trump takes swipe at Meghan, but will not deport Prince Harry

Freed Palestinian prisoners are greeted by a crowd as they arrive in the Gaza Strip after being released from an Israeli prison following a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip.

Emotional scenes in West Bank and Gaza as Palestinians reunited with their families after release from Israeli prisons

Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice Dasilva Aguiar and Bebe King.

'She was grateful for life': parents of Southport stabbing victims pay tribute to their children

Israeli hostage reunited with his family.

Emotional moment Israeli hostages reunite with families after being paraded on stage by Hamas