A recent study conducted by the AA has found that the number of drivers feeling nervous or anxious on “smart” motorways has doubled in the past year. Smart motorways utilize innovative technology to utilize the hard shoulder as an additional lane, with a total of 396 miles of these motorways in England as of April 2024.
Despite the intention to ease traffic congestion, critics argue that smart motorways have significant safety concerns. Data shows that at least 79 individuals have lost their lives on these motorways between 2010 and 2024. In situations where breakdowns occur and there is no hard shoulder available, the risk of fatalities or serious injuries is three times higher compared to roads with a permanent hard shoulder.
A survey of 12,705 AA members revealed a significant increase in feelings of apprehension on smart motorways without a hard shoulder, where emergency refuge areas are spaced out every three-quarters of a mile. This anxiety level rose from 23% to 46% over the past year. Smart motorways that open the hard shoulder during peak hours also saw a rise in anxiety levels, increasing from 30% to 47% among respondents in the last 12 months.
In April 2023, the Conservative government decided to halt the development of new smart motorways due to concerns over public confidence and financial constraints. Edmund King, the AA president, emphasized the importance of reinstating the hard shoulder in controlled motorway environments to restore driver confidence in smart motorways.
The AA underscores the necessity for transparent and consistent assessments of motorway safety. The organization also highlighted the ambiguity surrounding the independent review of safety measures on existing smart motorways following the government’s decision to stop expansion plans. Timely release of safety reports on current smart motorway sections is urged to evaluate the success of the smart motorways initiative.
A spokesperson from the Department for Transport defended smart motorways, stating that they remain among the safest roads in terms of preventing severe accidents. The department continues to enhance the safety of smart motorways, including the addition of over 150 emergency areas to enhance user safety. The UK’s road safety standards are continuously improving through initiatives like the Road Safety Strategy.
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