At least nine people have been arrested as protesters grind motorways to a halt in a "go-slow" campaign over the rising cost of fuel.
Eight were arrested for driving slower than 30mph on the M4 near the Prince of Wales crossing while a ninth was arrested for "unsafe driving" on the A38 in Cornwall.
At least 100 police officers scrambled to the westbound carriageway where the bridge has been closed in both directions due to the protests.
Fuel price protesters intentionally drove two or three abreast to take up all lanes on Monday, sticking to 30 to 40mph.
Some motorists stuck in the jam were spotted playing football on the M4 where traffic was brought to a standstill.
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Several passengers got out of their cars and walked to the other side of the road for a kick about after the motorway was closed in both directions just after 8.30am on Monday, reports Wales Online.
Walking on motorways is illegal under specific traffic laws set out by The Motorways Traffic Regulations 1982.
Delivery driver Ashley Fowler, of Cardiff, said he helped launch the event on Facebook after the cost of living crisis and fuel hikes forced him to leave his flat and move back in with his mum.
The 24-year-old's call to action was inspired by the growing social media group Fuel Price Stand Against Tax and sparked protests from 7am.
Affected roads include the M4, M5, M180, River Severn Bridge crossings, and the A48 in Gloucester.
Mr Fowler added: “We’re all car enthusiasts and we have all been worried about fuel prices.
“I made the event because I run a car club in Cardiff which I started on social media during the pandemic lockdowns to help people’s mental health.
“Now we can’t meet up so much again because of the cost of fuel. I know some of them can’t drive so much because they need to feed their kids. It’s serious.
"People are getting really depressed about it. One of the boys in the group has actually sold his car due to fuel price rises.”
Police scrambled to the scene to ensure the protest is carried out legally and are warning of more "serious disruption" throughout the day.
The protesters are calling for a cut in fuel duty as some commuters are paying up to £150 per day at the pumps while others have been forced to quit their jobs as they can no longer afford the bill.
Mobile welder Richard Dite, from Maesteg, South Wales, said it is costing him more than £300 in fuel to get to work every week due to price hikes.
The 44-year-old was among a dozen protesters at the Prince of Wales Bridge.
"My only option soon will be to put the welding gear in the shed and call it a day, maybe go on the doll," Mr Dite explained.
"Face it at this rate I'll be on more that way."
Meanwhile Vicky Stamper, 41, and her partner Darren were forced to leave their jobs in Bristol because they could not afford £380 weekly fuel bill.
The former HGV driver, from Cwmbran, said: "I then lost a job two weeks ago because the company couldn't afford to put fuel in that many lorries so, last in first out."
Ms Stamper said the situation had taken an emotional toll on her and her family and said she is protesting for herself and fellow drivers.
"We're doing this for us and for them. If they want to have a moan, they should join us instead," she said.
Martin Crowley, 48, from Cardiff said fuel prices are also damaging his livelihood.
The self-employed exotic animal courier said: "Fuel cost me £280 over two days last week. It's unbelievable. You can hardly make a living any more."
Meanwhile in Shropshire, fuel price campaigners held a protest on the M54.
West Mercia Police officers were in attendance as protesters travelled in slow convoy on the motorway between J1 and J4 from 7am until around 8.30am.
"Unfortunately the tactics used by some protesters today compromised the safety of other road users," a force spokesperson said.
"Officers gathered evidence during the event and we will take action against those who committed road traffic offences.
"The ability to protest is a fundamental part of democracy, however, when protests start to endanger the public and put the safety of others at risk, appropriate and proportionate action will be taken."
Additional rolling roadblocks were carried out on the M5 with around 25 cars meeting at Bridgwater services on junction 24 to travel on the M32 in Bristol before turning around and going back.
More vehicles met in Exeter for a similar trawl up the M5 in Devon while a rolling road block also hit the A12 seen from bridge at Hatfield Peverel.
Queues also formed on the A12 near Kelvedon, as protesters blockaded the route from Colchester towards London.
Figures from data firm Experian show the average price of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts reached a new high of 191.4p on Thursday, while diesel rose to 199.1p.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has said he will carefully consider calls for a "more substantial" fuel duty cut after the 5p per litre reduction implemented in March failed to halt price rises.
The government said while it understands people are struggling with rising prices and have a right to protest, "people's day-to-day lives should not be disrupted" and warned that traffic delays "will only add to fuel use".
Howard Cox, of campaign group FairFuelUK, said while his organisation is not involved in the action, he is "fully supportive" of the demonstrations so long as they are conducted legally.
"I totally support their protest because people have reached the end of their tethers at the moment," he added.
He told how other countries had cut fuel duty by more than the UK and asked "why the hell are we not doing it here?"
Mr Cox called for a cut of at least 20p, and warned that protests will continue if not.
He said: "There is an appetite (for such protest). If the government don't actually deliver on this, I think there's going to be some serious escalation of protests."
Ch Supt Tom Harding, of Gwent Police, said he would encourage drivers to reconsider their journey or consider working from home and avoid the area where possible.
Bristol Airport advised travellers to allow extra time for their journeys.
In a tweet, the airport said: "Please note that there is a planned fuel protest to block the River Severn Bridge crossings this Monday July 4 from 8.30am."
Essex Police Ch Insp Anna Granger said her officers "are experienced at dealing with incidents which cause significant disruption".
She said: "We will be monitoring the situation closely and have a policing operation in place to limit disruption."
Gloucestershire Police said protests are likely to affect the A48, causing travel disruption in the Gloucester and Forest of Dean areas.
A government spokesperson said: "While we respect the right to protest, people's day-to-day lives should not be disrupted, especially on busy motorways where lives are put at risk and resulting traffic delays will only add to fuel use.
"The new Public Order Bill will make it a criminal offence to glue yourself to a dangerous motorway, which sees police spending hours trying to safely remove people."
