WEST Yorkshire Police has shared the nail-biting moment an officer makes a "split second decision" to intercept a driver coming the wrong way on a motorway.
The force's Roads Policing Unit received a report from the Highways Agency warning of a driver travelling on the wrong carriageway of the M1 South at the South Yorkshire border.
The vehicle appeared to be heading North on the M1 near to Junction 37.
West Yorkshire officers put on a rolling roadblock to stop oncoming traffic.
And as the officers closed in on the car in question, a "brave" officer made the decision to stop the car using a pre-emptive tactic, preventing injury for not only the driver but other road users.
The unit said: "Our brave colleague stopped the oncoming traffic to face this and made a split second decision to prevent injuries to those behind him."
Upon approaching the driver, they found an elderly man at the wheel.
He was checked over at the scene is now being cared for at home, a spokesperson confirmed.
You can watch the video here:
So this happened last night, M1 south at the South Yorks border. Report of a car coming the wrong way on the motorway. Our brave colleague stopped the oncoming traffic to face this and made a split second decision to prevent injuries to those behind him 👏 #team2 pic.twitter.com/qKaWe41XFN
— WYP Roads Policing Unit (@WYP_RPU) January 19, 2021
West Yorkshire Police said: "Police were called at 21.24 last night (18 Jan) by the Highways Agency to reports that a vehicle was travelling on the wrong carriageway heading North on the M1 near to Junction 37.
"In line with force policy our officers made the decision to stop the car using a pre-emptive tactic in order to safeguard not only the driver but other road users."
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