A recent study conducted by the AA has revealed that the number of drivers expressing feelings of nervousness or anxiety when using modern “smart” motorways has doubled over the past year. These innovative road systems aim to improve traffic flow by utilizing the hard shoulder as an additional lane. As of April 2024, there were approximately 396 miles of smart motorways across England.
Despite the intended benefits, critics argue that these smart motorways are fundamentally flawed, citing data that shows at least 79 fatalities on these roads between 2010 and 2024. Research also indicates that drivers facing breakdowns on motorways without a hard shoulder are about three times more likely to suffer severe injuries or death compared to those on traditional roads with a permanent hard shoulder.
A survey involving 12,705 AA members highlighted a significant increase in feelings of unease or apprehension on smart motorways without a hard shoulder, where emergency refuge areas are spaced approximately three-quarters of a mile apart. The proportion of drivers reporting such sentiments has risen from 23% to 46% in the past year. Similarly, motorways where the hard shoulder is only operational during peak hours saw a notable surge in anxiety levels, climbing from 30% to 47% among respondents over the same period.
In April 2023, the Conservative government announced the cancellation of plans for new smart motorways due to concerns about driver 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 smart motorways.
The AA emphasized the necessity for enhanced transparency and consistency in evaluating and monitoring motorway safety. Despite the halting of new construction projects, uncertainties remain regarding the independent assessment of safety on existing smart motorways, urging prompt disclosure of performance reports for these sections.
Commenting on the issue, Mr. King stressed the critical role of safety reports in evaluating the outcomes of smart motorways and called for their immediate release to address potential drawbacks. The Department for Transport defended smart motorways as the safest roads in terms of fatalities or serious injuries, highlighting ongoing efforts to enhance safety standards and expand emergency areas for user reassurance.
While acknowledging the safety record of British roads, the department highlighted the continuous improvement of road safety through the implementation of the new Road Safety Strategy.