Motorists ended up trapped on the M5 between Bridgwater and Taunton on Friday. The scorching temperatures hit peak readings. stalled engines forced drivers to abandon their cars. Police shut lanes near a nearby junction. Delays ran around two hours.
A school trip from Taunton hit trouble overnight when police closed the exit. In Worcestershire, motoring cases reached a high total in a recent check. Many cases were on M5 sections near Worcester and Tewkesbury.
Drivers reported slow-moving queues through the afternoon as temperatures climbed. Several vehicles ground to a halt on the carriageway, prompting police to act quickly. The school group from nearby schools had already faced trouble staying overnight when the exit slip was closed. Traffic police said the the conditions had left many drivers struggling to keep moving.
Further north, a recent enforcement push had logged tens of thousands of speed offences. A wide share of them were clocked on M5 stretches near Worcester and Tewkesbury, prompting warnings from frustrated motorists. Officers have urged road users to inspect their engines before setting off in warmer weather.