Commuters and long-haul drivers on the busy M62 were left scratching their heads this week after a colossal blunder appeared on the motorway's digital signage system.
A massive electronic message board, designed to warn drivers of upcoming hazards, instead became the hazard itself after it lit up with a glaring and confusing spelling error.
The sign, located between junctions 25 and 26 for Brighouse and Bradford, displayed a warning of a "MAJOR" incident. However, in a ironic twist, the word 'ACCIDENT' was misspelled, leaving motorists to decipher what a "MAJOR ACCIDENF" could possibly be.
Social Media Erupts with Confusion and Amusement
The bizarre error quickly sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with drivers taking to platforms to share images and express their bewilderment. Many questioned whether it was a genuine mistake or an odd test of the public's observation skills.
One user posted, "Is it a major accidenf? Or did someone have a major accidenf on the keyboard?" Another quipped, "New word just dropped on the M62."
National Highways Responds
When approached for comment, a spokesperson for National Highways confirmed the error was a simple mistake made during a routine test of the system. They assured the public that there was no actual major incident and that the signs were functioning correctly aside from the human typing error.
The spokesperson stated: "This message was displayed in error during testing and should not have been visible to road users. We have reminders and checks in place to prevent this from happening and we apologise for any confusion caused."
The incident serves as a humorous reminder of the potential for human error even in the most advanced systems, providing a moment of light relief for travellers on one of the UK's busiest routes.
