A recent study by the AA has shown that the number of drivers feeling anxious or uneasy while driving on “smart” motorways has doubled over the past year. Smart motorways utilize the hard shoulder as an additional lane to improve traffic flow, with England having 396 miles of such motorways as of April 2024.
Critics argue that smart motorways are flawed, citing at least 79 fatalities on these roads between 2010 and 2024. Research indicates that drivers who experience breakdowns on motorways without a hard shoulder are about three times more likely to face severe injuries or death compared to those on roads with a permanent hard shoulder.
A survey of 12,705 AA members revealed that the percentage of individuals feeling nervous or anxious on smart motorways lacking a hard shoulder has surged from 23% to 46% in the past year. Similarly, motorways where the hard shoulder is opened only during peak hours saw a rise in anxiety levels from 30% to 47% among respondents over the same period.
In April 2023, the Conservative government announced the cessation of new smart motorway projects due to driver concerns and financial constraints. AA President Edmund King emphasized the importance of reinstating the hard shoulder in controlled motorway settings to restore confidence in smart motorways.
The AA underscored the necessity for transparent and consistent safety evaluations of motorways. The organization urged prompt disclosure of safety reports on operational smart motorway sections to address lingering uncertainties among drivers.
In response, a Department for Transport spokesperson highlighted the safety record of smart motorways in terms of reducing fatalities and severe injuries. The government continues to enhance smart motorways, including the addition of over 150 emergency areas to enhance user safety.
The Department for Transport emphasized ongoing efforts to elevate road safety standards through the implementation of the Road Safety Strategy, the first of its kind in over a decade.