INSULATE Britain continues to cause chaos on the roads, with many motorists becoming frustrated and impatient with their movements.

But what are the rules for motorists when approaching someone on the road?

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Is it illegal to run over someone who is lying down on the road?

Everybody, whether on foot or behind the wheel of a car, has a duty of responsibility to both themselves and those around them.

Pedestrians should only ever cross a road where it is safe to do so.

Despite this, it is typically those who are driving that hold the most responsibility when a pedestrian is struck by a moving vehicle.

This is largely down to the fact that a car is a potentially lethal weapon and, in the event of a collision, it is almost impossible for a vehicle to come off worse than a pedestrian.

What could be the punishment be?

The punishment for hitting a pedestrian with a car can vary greatly depending on the severity and nature of the incident.

Cases like this are usually labelled under "driving without due care and attention" which typically result in a £100 fine and 3 points on your driving licence (or, if eligible, a driver education course).

If you disagree with your punishment and believe that the pedestrian was at fault, you are able to request a court hearing – this, however, can be both costly and time-consuming.

In the event of a more serious incident, a court case will be summoned automatically.

This could result in a maximum fine of £5,000 and potential disqualification from driving for a period of time consistent with the severity of the incident.

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What should I do if someone is lying down on the road?

If someone is lying in the road, it is important you approach with caution as the condition of the person is not always clear.

According to the the first thing you should do if a person is in the road due to an accident is warn other road users that there has been a incident.

You can do this by displaying an advance warning triangle or by switching on hazard warning lights or other lights.

This should also apply if a person is deliberately sitting or lying in the road, such as the Insulate Britain protesters.

On October 5, 2021, the government announced they were set to bring in tougher penalties and new police powers to crack down on disruption caused on motorways and other key transport infrastructure.

If a pedestrian is deliberately blocking your vehicle you do not have the legal right to run over them.

Instead check they are alright and call the police.