A recent study by the AA has shown that the number of drivers who feel anxious or uneasy when using modern “smart” motorways has doubled over the past year. These high-tech motorways aim to improve traffic flow by utilizing the hard shoulder as an additional lane. As of April 2024, there were 396 miles of smart motorways in operation across England.
Despite the intended benefits, critics argue that smart motorways are fundamentally flawed, citing data that indicates at least 79 individuals have lost their lives on these roads between 2010 and 2024. Research also reveals that drivers who experience vehicle breakdowns on motorways lacking a hard shoulder are approximately three times more likely to suffer fatal or severe injuries compared to those on traditional roads with a permanent hard shoulder.
A survey conducted among 12,705 AA members unveiled a significant increase in feelings of nervousness or anxiety on smart motorways that lack a hard shoulder, which rely on emergency refuge areas spaced approximately three-quarters of a mile apart. The percentage of drivers reporting such feelings has surged from 23% to 46% in the past year. Similarly, motorways where the hard shoulder is intermittently opened to traffic during peak hours have seen a rise in anxiety levels among surveyed individuals, climbing from 30% to 47% over the same period.
In April 2023, the Conservative government announced the cancellation of all future smart motorway projects due to concerns regarding public confidence and financial pressures. Edmund King, the president of the AA, emphasized the importance of reintroducing the hard shoulder in controlled motorway environments to restore trust in the system.
The AA emphasizes the necessity for more transparent and consistent safety evaluations of motorways. Despite the halt in new smart motorway developments, there remains uncertainty regarding the ongoing independent monitoring of safety measures on existing smart motorways. The organization urges the prompt release of performance reports on various motorway sections where smart technology is still operational.
Regarding safety on smart motorways, a Department for Transport representative stated that these roads are statistically the safest in terms of fatal or severe injuries. The government continues to enhance smart motorways’ safety features, including the installation of over 150 additional emergency areas to reassure users. Furthermore, ongoing efforts to elevate road safety standards are outlined in the Road Safety Strategy, the first of its kind in more than a decade.