POLICE are urging motorists to be vigilant after they issued ten tickets to drivers for risking lives and blocking the road on the M1 near Barnsley last week.

In the early hours of last Thursday morning, officers were called to a road traffic collision at junction 37 near Dodworth.

There were also reports that people were on the carriageway.

An officer in attendance closed the road to keep everyone safe.

Drivers started ignoring the red ‘X’ and lane closure notices and began driving down the hard shoulder, which quickly became blocked.( The ambulance travelling to the scene was unable to freely travel down the hard shoulder and had to navigate traffic through the lanes.( Before the road re-opened, ten drivers’ details were taken, and they were informed they would receive notification through the post of a fine and three points on their licence.( Inspector Kieran Frain said: “Police officers put themselves at risk every day to protect and serve the public but they shouldn’t be put at unnecessary risk because of inpatient, selfish and inconsiderate people’s actions.( “Officers should be able to carry out their duties and get help to those who need it without fear of being injured.( “Drivers may not think that action will be taken against them, but we can retrospectively issue fines and points from our dash-cam and body worn footage.

“Just because you have not been spoken to at the scene, that does not mean you will not receive a letter.( “We work as quickly as we can to re-open roads but everyone’s safety and obtaining evidence for a thorough investigation are our priorities.( “As we continue to do all we can to create safer roads and change drivers’ behaviour, please do your part.”