A harrowing ordeal for a young mother has left a stark warning for families heading out this summer: be prepared for extreme temperatures when stuck in traffic. Siobhan's nine-month-old daughter, Adora, faced a potentially catastrophic overheating situation on the M5 last week after the motorway closed due to a police-led incident.
Siobhan was driving from near Tiverton in Devon to Taunton, Somerset, when the 17 July traffic jam brought her vehicle to a standstill. Despite having checked navigation apps showing clear routes beforehand, she found herself stuck just two miles short of her destination. The situation rapidly deteriorated as Adora's face turned bright red and the car interior grew hotter, even with windows open due to a lack of shade.
Siobhan recounted feeling panic-stricken as she drove the final mile on the hard shoulder to Junction 25 in order to cool down her daughter. She admitted that prioritising Adora's well-being over adherence to motorway rules was her primary concern during this time.
Road safety experts have weighed in, advising drivers with young children not to abandon their vehicles unless absolutely necessary, as the hard shoulder is reserved for emergency services. Jack Mason, Road Safety Manager for National Highways in the South West, acknowledged the distress of being stuck with a child but urged caution against using the hard shoulder unnecessarily.
With summer getaway traffic expected to be heavy this weekend, Avon and Somerset Police have reminded drivers to call 999 if experiencing genuine emergencies while stranded. Siobhan reflected that this incident would make her 'think twice' about travelling during hot weather in the future, underscoring how a similar situation in cooler temperatures might have been less stressful.
Looking ahead, significant delays are predicted on the M5 for both Saturday and Sunday. The RAC forecasts southbound delays of approximately 34 minutes between Junctions 15 and 23 at 12:30 BST on Saturday, while northbound drivers may face hold-ups of about 70 minutes between Junctions 25 and 15 around 14:00 BST on Sunday.