Caught on camera: Terrifying moment lorry narrowly misses vehicle after ploughing through roadworks

The videos, captured by road cameras on the M42 and M6 in Birmingham, show two incidents where highway workers are put in harm's way due to the drivers' blatant disregard for warning signs.

One of the videos, filmed between junctions five and six of the M6, shows a near miss between a lorry driver and a Highways Agency vehicle attending a breakdown after the driver ignored a 'lane closed' sign.

Another video shows a driver continuing in a closed lane between junctions six and seven on the M42 despite clear warnings and ploughing through traffic cones protecting workers.

Luckily none of the workers in either video or the passengers in the broken down car were injured.

Although no fatalities were recorded 2013 had the highest number of serious injuries to road workers for six years and in total since 2007 eight workers have been killed on motorways and A roads in England.

Roads minister John Hayes said: "The safety of those who work around the clock to carry out vital improvements and keep drivers moving after incidents is absolutely paramount. It is not worth putting road workers' lives at risk, let alone the tragic impact on their lives and those of their families, simply to shave a few seconds off your journey."

Wayne Norris, Highways Agency Midlands service delivery manager with responsibility for road safety, said: "Each year road workers are killed or injured on our network while maintaining and improving the roads for all road users.

"My message to motorists is to be alert, drive safely, considerately and to comply with traffic management during work. This way we will avoid near misses, cone strikes and further accidents.

"We all have a part to play in keeping our roads safe, so let's make sure we do."