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NHS Worker Faces Possible Ban After Driving Wrong Way Up M61 Slip Road To Beat Traffic

Innocent Ayodele, 32, an NHS worker from Manchester, admitted driving the wrong way up an M61 entry slip road to avoid congestion — and could now be disqualified.

Appearing before Preston Magistrates’ Court in May, Ayodele apologised for the dangerous manoeuvre, telling officers he simply wanted to get home to his pregnant wife after finishing work. Pc Peter Weatherstone of Greater Manchester Police said the driver showed little apparent concern for the risk: “I could see another driver whom he could have struck.” With nine penalty points already on his licence, Ayodele faces a ban when sentenced later.

The case comes amid research showing roughly one motorist a week is prosecuted for wrong-way driving on English and Welsh motorways — offences including reversing along carriageways, making U-turns next to high-speed traffic, or backtracking to reach missed exits. Over the past 30 weeks, 31 drivers have faced criminal charges for such behaviour, typically resulting in heavy fines and often disqualification.

The dangers were underscored recently when five teenagers died in a wrong-way crash on the M9 in Co Kildare, which also left three women and a seven-year-old boy seriously injured. National Highways data for the 12 months to May recorded 947 “oncoming vehicle” incidents, though officials note confirmed wrong-way entries remain rare and every report is acted on quickly.

Other recent cases include:

• Ervis Hatellari, 38, of Woodford Green: Fined £660, banned for 12 months, and ordered to pay costs after reversing along the M11 in Essex on New Year’s Eve 2025 while disqualified and uninsured.

• Daniel Udrescu, 57: Fined £445 and given three points after reversing up an M6 Toll slip road in Staffordshire, explaining he “went the wrong way” en route to Glasgow; he was also found to have his seatbelt falsely fastened.

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, called such behaviour “truly the stuff of nightmares”: “To think anyone could drive the wrong way onto a motorway heading into fast-moving traffic is appalling.”

Today, we celebrate 2 beautiful years of you, Adeperosola! 🎂🥳💕

Two years of tiny hugs, infectious laughter, beautiful smiles, and moments that have made our hearts overflow with gratitude. You came into our lives and brought a special kind of joy that words can never fully describe. ❤️

Our sweet girl, may God continue to watch over you, guide your steps, and surround you with His grace and favour. May you grow to be strong, wise, kind and courageous, and may your life be filled with love, peace, good health and abundant blessings. 🙏🏽✨

Keep shining, keep smiling, and keep being the beautiful little soul that you are. Daddy and Mummy are so blessed to call you ours. Romi and Bobo are both proud to call you baby sister 👑💖

Happy 2nd Birthday, our darling Adeperosola! 🎈🎂🎉
May your journey through life be as beautiful as your smile. We love you endlessly! ❤️