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, which utilize the hard shoulder as an extra lane to improve traffic flow, cover 396 miles in England as of April 2024.
Critics argue that smart motorways are flawed, with 79 fatalities reported between 2010 and 2024. Research indicates that drivers encountering breakdowns on motorways without a hard shoulder are three times more likely to suffer severe injuries or death compared to those on roads with a permanent hard shoulder.
A survey of 12,705 AA members revealed a significant increase in anxiety among drivers on smart motorways without hard shoulders, with reported feelings of nervousness or anxiety rising from 23% to 46% in the past year. Similarly, motorways where the hard shoulder is only accessible during peak hours saw anxiety levels increase from 30% to 47% among respondents within the same period.
In response to safety concerns, the Tory government announced in April 2023 the cancellation of new smart motorway projects due to public confidence issues and cost constraints. AA President Edmund King emphasized the importance of reinstating hard shoulders in controlled motorway environments to restore driver confidence in smart motorways.
The AA stressed the necessity for greater transparency and consistency in assessing and monitoring motorway safety. The organization also expressed concerns about the lack of clarity regarding safety reviews on existing smart motorways and urged the prompt release of performance reports for public scrutiny.
While the Department for Transport maintains that smart motorways are among the safest roads in terms of fatalities and serious injuries, it continues to enhance safety standards through initiatives like the Road Safety Strategy. The government spokesperson highlighted ongoing efforts to improve smart motorways, including the addition of over 150 emergency areas for user safety.