A recent study by the AA has shown that the number of drivers feeling nervous or anxious while driving on “smart” motorways has doubled over the past year. Smart motorways utilize the hard shoulder as an extra lane to improve traffic flow, with 396 miles of such roads in England as of April 2024.
Despite the intended benefits, critics argue that smart motorways are flawed, citing at least 79 fatalities on these roads between 2010 and 2024. Research indicates that breakdowns on motorways without a hard shoulder pose a higher risk, with drivers being 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 revealed a significant increase in feelings of nervousness or anxiety on smart motorways without a hard shoulder, rising from 23% to 46% in the past year. Similarly, motorways where the hard shoulder is only operational during peak hours saw anxiety levels rising from 30% to 47% among respondents.
In response to safety concerns, the government announced in April 2023 that plans for new smart motorways were being abandoned due to public distrust and financial pressures. The AA president, Edmund King, emphasized the importance of reinstating hard shoulders in controlled motorway settings to restore driver confidence.
The AA called for greater transparency and consistency in assessing and monitoring motorway safety. Concerns were raised about the ambiguity surrounding safety reviews on existing smart motorways and the delayed release of performance reports. The organization urged the immediate publication of these reports to evaluate the success of smart motorway initiatives.
In contrast, the Department for Transport defended smart motorways as the safest roads in terms of fatalities and serious injuries, highlighting ongoing efforts to enhance safety standards. The government’s Road Safety Strategy aims to further improve road safety standards, underscoring the commitment to ensuring the well-being of road users.