Executive Summary: Recent M5 Incidents Raise Safety Concerns
The M5 motorway has witnessed two significant incidents in late October 2025 that have highlighted ongoing safety challenges on Britain’s busy transport arteries. A fatal collision near Exeter on 28 October resulted in the death of a 94-year-old passenger, whilst a police-led incident in Worcestershire caused extensive traffic disruption affecting tens of thousands of motorists. These incidents underscore the critical importance of understanding motorway safety protocols and driver responsibilities.
The Exeter Tragedy: A Three-Vehicle Collision
On Tuesday, 28 October 2025, emergency services responded to a devastating three-vehicle collision on the M5 near Exeter. The incident occurred on the southbound on-slip at junction 29 at approximately 11 o’clock in the morning. Three vehicles became involved in the collision: a blue Ford Fiesta, a grey Land Rover Discovery, and a grey Mazda CX-5.
The consequences proved tragically severe. A 94-year-old male passenger travelling in the Ford Fiesta sustained multiple serious injuries and was transported to hospital by emergency crews. Despite medical intervention, the patient sadly passed away on Thursday, 30 October. A second passenger in the same vehicle also suffered serious injury, though police confirmed that the injuries were not life-threatening and did not present deteriorating condition.
Devon and Cornwall Police closed the slip road immediately to allow investigation officers to examine the scene thoroughly. The Roads Policing team emphasised that many witnesses likely observed the incident but were unable to stop because of the motorway’s moving traffic. Police actively encouraged anyone with relevant information or dashcam footage to contact them quoting occurrence number 5025027820.
The Worcestershire Police Incident
Just days after the Exeter tragedy, the M5 experienced another significant disruption. On 1 November 2025, traffic halted in both directions between junctions 6 and 5 near Worcester following what National Highways described as a “police-led incident”. The closure was first reported around 1 o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday.
Initially, National Highways indicated that motorists faced delays of at least 80 minutes when travelling northbound and approximately 60 minutes heading south. An air ambulance was deployed to the location alongside various emergency responders. West Mercia Police managed the incident, though specific details about its nature remained unclear. The motorway eventually reopened at approximately 4 o’clock in the afternoon, after nearly three hours of closure.
Understanding M5 Motorway Safety
The M5 represents a crucial transport corridor connecting the Midlands with the South West. It facilitates essential business travel, leisure journeys, and commercial traffic throughout Britain. The motorway extends approximately 250 kilometres, serving major population centres including Birmingham, Worcester, Gloucestershire, Bristol, Somerset, and Devon.
Historical Context of Motorway Safety
Historically, the M5 has experienced numerous incidents requiring emergency response. The most infamous occurred on 4 November 2011 near Taunton in Somerset, when a devastating 34-vehicle pile-up resulted in seven deaths and 51 injuries. That catastrophic collision involved cars, vans, and articulated lorries, with some vehicles erupting into flames reaching heights of twenty feet. The subsequent coroner’s inquiry concluded that dense fog was the primary cause, with smoke from nearby Guy Fawkes celebrations considered a contributory factor.
The M5 ranks among the busier motorways in the United Kingdom. Between 2007 and 2016, the motorway recorded 3,185 reported accidents involving 5,765 vehicles and resulting in 91 deaths. Whilst this places it lower than motorways such as the M25, M1, M6, and M4 in terms of absolute incident numbers, the M5 nevertheless presents significant safety challenges.
Recent Safety Statistics and Network Performance
The UK’s strategic road network, including motorways, continues to achieve impressive safety improvements overall. Data from the Office of Rail and Road’s 2023 assessment revealed that the network recorded the fewest killed or seriously injured (KSI) casualties ever recorded, excluding pandemic years 2020 and 2021. The strategic road network achieved a 39 percent reduction in KSI casualties compared to the 2005 to 2009 baseline average, despite traffic volumes increasing by 2.2 percent between 2022 and 2023.
Casualty rates on the strategic road network remain significantly lower than local road networks in England. The strategic road network experiences 20 killed or seriously injured casualties per billion vehicle miles travelled, compared to 130 on local roads. This statistic demonstrates that motorways remain comparatively the safest major roads available to British drivers.
However, when motorway crashes occur, they frequently prove severe due to the high speeds involved. The 2024 Department for Transport Annual Report documented that the UK experienced 1,671 road deaths and 28,804 serious injuries. Fatigue contributed to approximately 20 percent of all UK road accidents according to Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents research, with particular risks on long, monotonous motorway stretches.
Common Causes of M5 Collisions
Understanding collision causes provides essential insight into prevention strategies. Research into motorway accidents identifies several consistent factors contributing to crashes.
Driver Error and Attention
Not looking properly represents the leading cause of UK car accidents, accounting for approximately 37.8 percent of incidents according to recent Department for Transport data. This includes drivers and motorcyclists failing to maintain proper observation of the road environment. Motorway collisions frequently result from drivers failing to anticipate traffic changes, particularly around lane transitions and junction approaches.
Lane Management Issues
The M5 presents particular challenges around the Bristol area where lanes merge and diverge. Several documented cases highlight instances where drivers discovered their lane was ending too late, initiating emergency manoeuvres that triggered chain-reaction collisions. These incidents typically occur when drivers occupy lanes designated for exit and fail to transition appropriately.
Heavy Goods Vehicle Interactions
Large goods vehicles occasionally engage in overtaking manoeuvres that create sudden traffic flow changes. Their mass means that acceleration and deceleration occur gradually, potentially surprising following drivers who expect quicker speed adjustments. Lorries overtaking on the M5 during busy periods frequently contribute to tailback formation through traffic compression effects.
Speed and Following Distance
Excessive speed or inadequate separation distances between vehicles remain critical collision factors. At the national 70 miles per hour speed limit, stopping distances extend to approximately 96 metres even in dry conditions. Many drivers fail to maintain the recommended three-second gap at these speeds, rendering accident avoidance impossible when unexpected traffic changes occur.
Fatigue and Reduced Alertness
Long-distance motorway travel induces fatigue through monotony and concentrated focus requirements. Research from the charity Brake suggests that one in eight drivers experienced falling asleep at the wheel for between two and thirty seconds during the past year. Additionally, one in four drivers admitted driving when feeling drowsy. These statistics highlight the prevalence of fatigue-related risks on extended motorway journeys.
Weather and Environmental Factors
Dense fog, particularly during autumn and winter months, creates hazardous driving conditions. Reduced visibility prevents drivers from identifying stopped vehicles, debris, or other hazards at safe stopping distances. The 2011 Taunton crash demonstrated how rapidly weather conditions can escalate into tragedy.
Caravan and Holiday Traffic Dynamics
Summer holiday periods bring increased M5 traffic, particularly as families travel toward Devon and Cornwall destinations. Caravans and trailer-towing vehicles require greater stopping distances and create drag effects in traffic flow. These vehicles occupy key lanes for extended periods, occasionally causing impatience among following drivers and precipitating aggressive overtaking manoeuvres.
National Highways Emergency Response Framework
National Highways manages the M5 and implements coordinated emergency response protocols. When incidents occur, multiple agencies coordinate activity to restore traffic flow, provide emergency medical care, and investigate collision causes.
Incident Detection and Notification
CCTV monitoring across the M5 enables rapid incident detection. Control room operators observe traffic patterns and identify stopped vehicles or erratic driving behaviour. Additionally, members of the public report incidents through Emergency 999 calls or via the 101 non-emergency number. Information technology systems immediately alert enforcement officers and emergency services.
Traffic Management and Diversions
During significant incidents, National Highways implements traffic management protocols. Electronic message signs display incident warnings and alternative route guidance. Variable speed limit systems operate to manage traffic flow and prevent secondary collisions in congested zones. For extended closures, National Highways coordinates with local authorities to establish diversions via alternative routes.
Emergency Services Coordination
Police, ambulance, fire and rescue services, and air ambulances coordinate activities at major incidents. Control rooms maintain direct communication enabling rapid information sharing and resource deployment. In serious cases, additional resources such as helicopter air ambulances become deployed to facilitate rapid patient evacuation to major trauma centres.
Road Reopening and Investigation
Following emergency service stabilisation activities, accident investigation officers examine the scene. Specialist teams document evidence including vehicle positions, tyre marks, debris patterns, and environmental conditions. This information informs collision cause determination and potential prosecutions. The slip road or carriageway remains closed until investigation completion and debris clearance.
Smart Motorway Technology and Safety Enhancements
The M5 incorporates smart motorway technology on sections between junctions 4a and 6 in Worcestershire. These all-lane running schemes utilise technology to optimise traffic management and incorporate emergency refuge areas for breakdown situations.
All-Lane Running Benefits
All-lane running smart motorways convert full carriageway width into usable lanes, rather than maintaining a fixed hard shoulder. This approach increases traffic capacity without requiring expensive carriageway widening. Electronic message signs display red X symbols to close lanes during emergencies or when obstruction prevents safe passage, effectively directing traffic away from hazardous zones.
Emergency Area Retrofit Programme
National Highways recently completed a £390 million National Emergency Area Retrofit (NEAR) programme to install additional emergency areas across smart motorways. The M5 section between junctions 4a and 6 received ten new emergency areas as part of this investment. These facilities provide 100-metre-long refuge spaces equipped with orange road surfaces and emergency telephones connecting directly to National Highways control centres. Emergency areas now space at intervals of approximately 0.75 miles, ensuring drivers facing vehicle difficulties can locate safe stopping locations.
Technology Enhancements
National Highways invested £105 million specifically to improve operational technology on all-lane running motorways by March 2025. This investment encompassed CCTV upgrades, enhanced variable message signs, improved signalling systems, and upgraded traffic detection systems (MIDAS technology). These systems automatically identify slow-moving or stationary vehicles and display appropriate driver warnings.
Safe Motorway Driving Practices
Drivers can substantially reduce collision risk through understanding and implementing evidence-based driving practices. The following recommendations address key safety concerns.
Pre-Journey Vehicle Checks
Before embarking on motorway journeys, drivers should conduct thorough vehicle inspections using the FLOWER acronym: Fuel, Lights, Oils, Water, Electrics, and Rubber. Fuel levels should ensure journey completion with reserve capacity. All lights require functionality confirmation. Engine oil, brake fluid, and power steering fluid levels need verification. Coolant and screenwash reservoirs require adequate levels. Electrical systems including windscreen wipers and washers need testing. Tyre tread depth should exceed 1.6 millimetres (the legal minimum) and pressures should match manufacturer specifications.
Lane Discipline and Positioning
The left-hand lane serves as the driving lane on motorways. Drivers should maintain left-hand positioning unless actively overtaking other vehicles. This fundamental practice maximises safety through predictable driving patterns. When overtaking becomes necessary, drivers should check mirrors comprehensively, signal early, accelerate past the obstruction, and return to the left-hand lane when safe separation exists.
Speed Maintenance and Control
The national speed limit of 70 miles per hour applies to cars and motorcycles. Goods vehicles, buses, coaches, and towing vehicles observe 60 miles per hour limits. Drivers should maintain consistent speeds rather than repeatedly accelerating and decelerating, as this confusing behaviour influences surrounding traffic. Cruise control or adaptive cruise control systems assist in maintaining steady speeds.
Following Distance and Stopping Gaps
At 70 miles per hour, stopping distances reach 96 metres in dry conditions. The two-second rule provides a practical method: drivers should maintain sufficient distance so that their vehicle reaches the point where a preceding vehicle already exists only after a two-second delay. In poor weather or at higher speeds, a three-second or greater gap becomes more appropriate.
Fatigue Management and Rest Breaks
Drivers should take breaks at least every two hours during long motorway journeys. A fifteen-minute rest including refreshment and light exercise substantially reduces fatigue effects. Drivers experiencing drowsiness should rest immediately at service areas rather than continuing. Travelling when feeling tired, unwell, stressed, or upset compromises safety significantly and should be avoided.
Avoiding Distractions
Undivided attention remains essential for motorway safety. Drivers should avoid phone use, radio adjustments, eating, or passenger conversation distractions. Hands-free calling systems, pre-programmed radio stations, and passenger briefing before journeys all reduce in-journey distraction.
Slip Road Management
Slip roads serve specific functions: entering drivers should accelerate to match left-hand lane traffic speeds (typically 70 miles per hour) before merging. Exiting drivers should use slip roads to decelerate to appropriate speeds for subsequent road types. Failing to adjust speed appropriately on slip roads represents a collision risk.
Emergency Procedures for Motorway Breakdowns
Should vehicle problems manifest during motorway travel, specific procedures minimise risk to driver and surrounding traffic.
Immediate Actions
Upon recognising vehicle difficulties, drivers should activate hazard warning lights immediately. Safe breakdown locations include service areas and emergency areas on smart motorways. If vehicle problems occur between these locations, drivers should attempt to exit the motorway at the next junction. Should continuing to an exit become impossible, vehicles should progress toward the next emergency area or service location at reduced speed.
Smart Motorway Breakdowns
On smart motorways with all-lane running, breakdowns on the running carriageway present elevated risk. Vehicles should travel toward the nearest emergency area (typically within 0.75 miles) rather than stopping on the running carriageway. Emergency areas feature telephones allowing direct National Highways contact for assistance. Drivers should remain in vehicles with doors locked, hazard lights activated, and seatbelts fastened whilst awaiting assistance.
Hard Shoulder Breakdowns
Where conventional motorway hard shoulders exist, drivers should activate hazard lights, switch off engines, and exit vehicles only if safe. Remaining outside the vehicle on the hard shoulder presents collision risk from passing traffic. Drivers should distance themselves from the vehicle, proceeding toward the motorway verge away from traffic flow. Using emergency telephones ensures contact with emergency services rather than relying on mobile phones.
The Importance of Witness Information
Both recent M5 incidents demonstrate the critical value of witness information in accident investigations. Police actively appeal for dashcam footage and eyewitness accounts. Motorway speeds mean that many witnesses observe incidents but cannot safely stop. Providing information afterwards, through police non-emergency 101 calls or online reporting, assists investigations substantially.
Dashcam footage proves particularly valuable, showing incident circumstances, contributing factors, and vehicle movements. Witnesses who observed unusual driving behaviour preceding collisions provide essential context for determining causation. The Devon and Cornwall Police witness appeal following the Exeter incident specifically acknowledged witnesses’ safety concerns whilst encouraging information provision.
National Highways Continuous Improvement
National Highways continues investing in motorway safety through multiple initiatives. Beyond emergency area retrofitting and technology upgrades, ongoing research informs future improvements. The Transport User Voice July 2025 survey revealed that the South West region (encompassing M5 coverage) achieved 75 percent satisfaction ratings, the highest regional performance across the network.
Planned improvements include further CCTV coverage enhancements, additional MIDAS detection capability, and upgrading central reservation barriers on sections of motorways including those proximate to the M5. These investments reflect National Highways’ commitment to maintaining Britain’s motorway network as the world’s safest major roads.
Understanding Emergency Area Symbols and Signage
Drivers should familiarise themselves with smart motorway signage. Solid white unbroken lines denote closed lanes or hard shoulders, typically displaying red X symbols. Broken white lines indicate normal running lanes. Emergency areas feature distinctive orange road surfaces and regular advance signage indicating distances to the next refuge. Drivers experiencing difficulties should progress toward emergency areas at controlled speeds rather than stopping on running carriageways.
The Role of Air Ambulance Services
Air ambulance deployment during serious incidents demonstrates evolving emergency response capabilities. Both the Exeter M5 incident and the Worcestershire police incident involved air ambulance attendance. These helicopter services enable rapid evacuation of seriously injured casualties to major trauma centres, significantly improving survival prospects. Advanced Paramedic Teams aboard air ambulances provide on-scene emergency interventions whilst transport arrangements proceed. Journey times to major trauma centres reduce substantially compared to ground ambulance transport, proving critical for life-threatening injuries.
Long-Term Motorway Safety Trends
Despite recent incidents, long-term motorway safety trends remain positive. The strategic road network continues achieving casualty reductions despite increased traffic. Government investment programmes, technological enhancements, and driver education initiatives collectively contribute to this improvement. However, vigilance remains essential as human error continues representing the primary collision cause across all road types.
Research from the charity Brake and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents emphasises that individual driver behaviour represents the most influential safety factor. Speed choice, following distances, attention levels, and fatigue management directly determine collision probability. Drivers who understand these factors and adjust behaviour accordingly contribute substantially to motorway safety.
Emergency Contact Information
Should drivers encounter emergencies on motorways, specific contact procedures apply. Emergency 999 calls activate police, ambulance, and fire services. Non-emergency 101 calls enable contact with police for accident reports and witness information. National Highways operates 24-hour control centres via emergency area telephones on smart motorways. Mobile phone calls to emergency services from motorways automatically direct to appropriate emergency control centres.
Conclusion: Shared Responsibility for Motorway Safety
The recent M5 incidents and the broader motorway safety landscape demonstrate that effective accident prevention requires shared commitment from infrastructure providers, emergency responders, and individual drivers. National Highways invests substantially in technology, emergency infrastructure, and operational systems. Emergency services maintain readiness through training, coordination, and rapid response capabilities. Ultimately, however, individual driver choices determine whether journeys conclude safely or result in tragedy.
Drivers traversing the M5 or any motorway should internalise fundamental safety principles: maintain appropriate speeds, ensure adequate following distances, take breaks during extended journeys, avoid distractions, and recognise individual fatigue limitations. These straightforward practices, supported by well-maintained vehicles and attentive observation of traffic conditions, reduce collision risk substantially. The M5 will continue serving as a vital transport artery for the United Kingdom. Through collective commitment to safety principles, the tragic incidents experienced in late October 2025 might inspire improved practices preventing future occurrences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly happened in the M5 Exeter crash on 28 October 2025?
A three-vehicle collision occurred at junction 29 on the southbound slip at approximately 11 o’clock in the morning. A blue Ford Fiesta, grey Land Rover Discovery, and grey Mazda CX-5 became involved. A 94-year-old male passenger in the Ford suffered serious injuries and subsequently died on 30 October. A second passenger sustained serious but non-life-threatening injury.
Why are emergency areas being added to the M5?
National Highways implemented a £390 million National Emergency Area Retrofit programme after government directive to improve smart motorway safety. The M5 received ten new emergency areas between junctions 4a and 6, spaced approximately 0.75 miles apart. These facilities provide safe stopping locations for drivers experiencing vehicle difficulties, reducing risk associated with stopping on running carriageways.
What should drivers do if experiencing vehicle problems on the motorway?
Drivers should activate hazard lights immediately and attempt to reach the next service area or emergency area. On smart motorways, emergency areas provide direct telephone contact with National Highways control centres. Drivers should remain inside vehicles with doors locked whilst awaiting assistance. Never attempt repairs on running carriageways.
How common are serious accidents on the M5?
Between 2007 and 2016, the M5 recorded 3,185 reported accidents involving 5,765 vehicles and resulting in 91 deaths. Whilst this represents a significant number, motorways remain comparatively the safest roads in Britain. The strategic road network experiences 20 killed or seriously injured casualties per billion vehicle miles compared to 130 on local roads.
What can drivers do to prevent motorway accidents?
Maintain appropriate speeds, ensure adequate following distances (at least three seconds at 70 miles per hour), take breaks every two hours, avoid distractions, and do not drive when fatigued. Thoroughly check vehicles before long journeys, including fuel levels, tyre condition, and all lighting systems. Familiarise yourself with emergency procedures and understand smart motorway signage.
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