Devon drivers share summer traffic worries over M5 safety and delays

National Highways has reassured drivers using the M5 motorway in Devon that safety remains their “first imperative,” highlighting that the motorway’s injury collision rate has consistently been lower than the average for all motorways in England.

The statement comes amid local concerns about the busy summer months, often referred to as “silly season,” when tourists travel to Devon and Cornwall via the M5, frequently continuing onto A roads including the A38 down to Plymouth and the A30 through Okehampton to Cornwall.

Jack Mason, National Highways’ Road Safety Lead for the South West, said: “Safety is our first imperative and, working with our police and local authority partners, we constantly monitor the road safety performance of all our roads, including the M5, and we will always make interventions based on compelling safety data and priority need.”

READ NEXT: More major housing plans revealed for huge Exeter development project

However, despite these reassurances, many local drivers say the M5 can become particularly stressful during the busier months.

This peak travel period sees increased traffic volumes and varying driver behaviour, leading to congestion and frustrations on the road.

Devon and Dartmoor Travel Services commented: “Yes, the M5 is more stressful to drive in the summer. It’s busier and some of the people who use it don’t exercise particularly good road sense or tolerance towards others. There are far more accidents, although it’s difficult to blame driver error, lack of vehicle maintenance, or just the volume of traffic.”

Long-time M5 user Jacob L Webb said: “I’ve used the M5 for 15 plus years in Devon and know the busy times, so I generally avoid them during the summer and weekends. Every Friday for around 18 years, it has been busy at the south end. It’s got progressively worse to drive, partly due to bad drivers and partly because the road conditions are appalling. The only thing that genuinely scares me is other people not being capable or competent. Also, the road not being fit for purpose is a concern.”

Amanda Thorley added: “All the roads are awful to drive on over summer. The A30 and M5 have accidents roughly twice a week. The drivers are ridiculous with speed and tailgating. I try to avoid those roads as much as possible but unfortunately have to use them to get to work.”

Others shared similar frustrations, especially about traffic jams and slow-moving vehicles during peak holiday times.

Beshlie Pool said: “I barely leave the West Country in July and August, and never on a Friday, because the M5 is chaos heading north with major delays and jams around Bridgewater and Weston.”

Carol Skelton highlighted the issue of lane discipline, especially for those towing: “Middle lane hoggers are a problem, especially if you’re towing. People don’t seem to realise that when towing you can’t use the third lane, so you can’t overtake them. They cause congestion when the roads get busier in summer. We call it ‘silly season’ and try to travel during the week or avoid changeover weekends if possible.”

National Highways says it carries out routine maintenance and renewal work to ensure the integrity and safety of the strategic road network in the South West.

Earlier this year, the company completed a major scheme to renew the concrete carriageway between junctions 26 and 27 near Willand.

The organisation is also currently renewing roadside safety barriers, both northbound and southbound along the M5 in Devon, and has recently completed resurfacing of the northbound carriageway between junctions 31 and 30.

These works aim to maintain and improve safety for everyone using the road and help reduce the need for unplanned maintenance closures.

National Highways has also confirmed they are continuing to review further data and are still analysing the figures for this region to ensure road safety measures remain effective.