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

Breaking
Damaged buildings following a fire where two firefighters and a member of the public have died, two firefighters were also seriously injured at Bicester Motion, the site of a former RAF base which is home to more than 50 specialist businesses.

Two firefighters among three dead, with two seriously injured following fire at former RAF airfield in Bicester

Tom Cruise stole the show by clambering atop a plane at the premiere

The best Mission Impossible premiere pictures as celebs join Tom Cruise on red carpet

Ben Roberts-Smith arrives at the Supreme Court in Sydney, Monday, June 28, 2021. Mr Roberts-Smith is suing three former Fairfax newspapers over articles he says defamed him in suggesting he committed war crimes in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.

Australia's most decorated living war veteran loses defamation appeal over Afghanistan killings

Statue of John Francis Leslie outside Plymouth's stadium

Blue plaque honour for first black footballer called up by England

A vandalised 20mph road sign on February 22, 2024 in Cardiff, Wales.

'Ridiculous': Backlash as road safety campaigners call for 10 mph speed limit on city roads

Tom Fletcher of McFly performs live on stage at Espaço Unimed on May 2, 2024 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

McFly singer Tom Fletcher said seeing Paddington in a new musical 'makes me cry every time'

Thirteen people were left injured after a car crashed into a crowd of football fans outside the derby match between Espanyol and Barcelona on Thursday.

13 injured after car plows into crowd of football fans at Espanyol-Barcelona derby

A British father has been sentenced to 40 years in a ‘hellhole’ prison after allegedly being found with £2000 of cocaine in a police sting in Dubai.

Brit dad, 33, sentenced to 40 years in Dubai hellhole prison after ‘being caught with £2000 of cocaine’

A close-up of the collapsed building with a crane and rescuers at the State Audit Office building in Chatuchak district.'' On March 28, 2025.

Construction mogul and dozen others surrender to police after Bangkok high-rise collapsed in earthquake, killing 92

Rory McIlroy (NIR) plays his tee shot at the 5th hole during the first round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 15, 2025.

Rory McIlroy off the pace after error-strewn first round at US PGA Championship

Nasal tanning spray warning

Consumers warned to avoid ‘dangerous’ nasal tanning sprays and gummies

The American musician was arrested at a hotel in Manchester in the early hours of Thursday by detectives from the Metropolitan Police.

Singer Chris Brown charged with grievous bodily harm over alleged ‘bottle attack’ at London nightclub

UK Finance said that, although repossession numbers increased, they remain low compared with the longer-term.

18% quarterly jump in homeowner mortgage repossessions

Exclusive
Chris Murray MP on LBC's Tonight with Andrew Marr.

Labour MP ‘beyond furious’ with asylum seeker housing firms making hundreds of millions as he urges Home Office to ‘get a grip’

Firefighters are tackling a fire in Bicester

'Very serious' fire at former RAF airfield in Bicester as huge plume of smoke seen

Torben Hersborg (l) pictured with his childhood friend, actor Mads Mikkelsen, Central London Osteopathy

Celebrity osteopath caught in decade-long voyeurism and upskirting scandal