Motorists ended up trapped on the main motorway between Bridgwater and Taunton on Friday. The summertime heat hit warm levels. Overheating cars forced drivers to abandon their cars. Police shut lanes near junction 25. Delays lasted around two hours.
A school trip from Taunton hit trouble overnight when police closed the exit. In Worcestershire, motoring cases reached notable numbers in a recent blitz. Many cases were on M5 sections near Worcester and Tewkesbury.
Travellers reported standing traffic through the afternoon as the mercury rose. Some cars seized up on the main road, prompting police to move fast. The bus passengers from a Taunton school had already faced trouble staying overnight when the exit slip was closed. Traffic police said the heat had left several drivers struggling to keep moving.
In Worcestershire, a recent enforcement push had recorded tens of thousands of speed offences. Many them were clocked on M5 stretches near Worcester and Tewkesbury, sparking calls from frustrated motorists. Forces have urged road users to carry out basic checks before setting off in hot spells.