A recent study conducted by the AA has shown that the number of drivers feeling nervous or anxious while using smart motorways has doubled over the past year. Smart motorways utilize the hard shoulder as an additional lane to improve traffic flow, with 396 miles of such motorways 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. Research indicates that drivers who experience a breakdown on a smart motorway lacking a hard shoulder are three times more likely to suffer fatal or serious injuries 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, with the percentage rising from 23% to 46% in the past year. Additionally, motorways where the hard shoulder is only accessible during peak hours saw anxiety levels among drivers rise from 30% to 47% in the same period.
In April 2023, the Conservative government decided to halt the construction of new smart motorways due to concerns about driver confidence and financial constraints. Edmund King, AA president, emphasized the importance of reinstating the hard shoulder in controlled motorway environments to restore confidence in smart motorways.
The AA emphasized the necessity for improved transparency and consistency in evaluating and monitoring motorway safety. They expressed concerns over the lack of clarity regarding the independent review of safety on existing smart motorways and urged the prompt release of performance reports for these stretches.
Despite the Department for Transport’s assertion that smart motorways are among the safest roads in terms of fatalities and serious injuries, concerns persist among drivers. The government spokesperson highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance smart motorways, including the installation of over 150 additional emergency areas for user safety.
The government aims to elevate road safety standards further through its Road Safety Strategy, marking the first such initiative in over a decade.