Motoring groups branded the increase "frightening" and called for technological interventions to be considered.

National Highways figures show 872 incidents involving "oncoming vehicles" were reported in the year to 19 June.

That is up from 770 during the previous 12 months, and represents an average of 16 per week.

The data, released in response to a Freedom of Information request, relates to unconfirmed reports of wrong-way driving received by National Highways' regional operations centres.

One of the most serious incidents left three men dead when a 15-year-old boy drove a stolen van the wrong way down the M606 near Bradford and crashed into a taxi on in June 2022.

Gloucestershire Constabulary recently released footage of a four-vehicle smash caused by a drunk woman driving the wrong way on the M5 near Tewkesbury for more than two miles last October.

Sheena Hague, National Highways director of road safety, said: "Safety is our top priority and our traffic officers are called out to hundreds of thousands of incidents each year, including collisions, breakdowns and debris.

"Thankfully the number of reports of oncoming vehicles is low, however we treat them seriously by setting signals to warn and inform drivers for every report of a vehicle driving the wrong way on our motorways.

"We design our motorways to be as intuitive as possible to reduce the likelihood of anyone driving the wrong way."

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Drivers who see a vehicle travelling in the wrong direction are urged to contact 999 if it is safe to do so or use a motorway SOS phone to alert the authorities.

Speed limits are usually cut to 20mph on motorway stretches where a vehicle being driven towards other traffic is reported.

Edmund King, president of the AA, said: "The increase in the number of vehicles being driven in the wrong direction on motorways is frightening and can be fatal.

Mr King urged motorists to "use common sense" and not "over-rely" on the sat nav.

Jo Shiner, the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for roads policing, said: "It's concerning to see the number of incidents rising and I echo National Highways' comments in that safety is our top priority.

"It's so important to be aware and alert when driving.

"Please keep any distractions to a minimum and concentrate on the signs and information provided for your safety."