A recent study by the AA has shown that the number of drivers feeling nervous or anxious while using smart motorways has doubled in the past year. Smart motorways utilize the hard shoulder as an additional lane to improve traffic flow, with 396 miles of such roads in England as of April 2024.
Critics argue that smart motorways are flawed, citing at least 79 fatalities on these roads between 2010 and 2024. Data reveals that drivers who experience a breakdown on a smart motorway without a hard shoulder are three times more likely to be killed or seriously injured compared to those on roads with a permanent hard shoulder.
A survey of 12,705 AA members indicated a significant increase in feelings of anxiety on smart motorways without hard shoulders, rising from 23% to 46% in the past year. Even on motorways where the hard shoulder is only operational during busy periods, anxiety levels among drivers have risen from 30% to 47% in the last 12 months.
In April 2023, the Conservative government decided to halt the construction of new smart motorways due to concerns about public confidence and financial constraints. The AA President, Edmund King, emphasized the importance of reinstating hard shoulders in controlled motorway settings to rebuild confidence in smart motorways.
The AA emphasized the necessity for greater transparency and consistency in assessing and monitoring motorway safety. The organization raised concerns about the lack of clarity regarding how safety on existing smart motorways is being evaluated independently and urged the prompt release of safety reports on operational smart motorway stretches.
While a Department for Transport spokesperson defended smart motorways as the safest roads in terms of fatalities and serious injuries, the AA stressed the importance of promptly releasing safety reports to evaluate the success of the smart motorways concept. The government spokesperson highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance road safety, including the implementation of additional emergency areas on smart motorways.
In conclusion, the debate over smart motorways continues, with stakeholders emphasizing the need for thorough safety assessments and transparent reporting to address public concerns and ensure road safety standards are met.