Smart motorways - should we bring back the hard shoulder on all motorways?
A recent UK holiday using so-called "smart" roads made me question why we are allowing motorists to risk their lives using them. I understand an extra lane will allow more cars to flow through but at what cost? We witnessed a family sitting in what should be the hard shoulder with motorists speeding by, without any regard for their safety.
Surely, if we want safer roads we should bring back the hard shoulder on all motorways, have more marked police cars as just their presence makes drivers slow down and, more critically, simplify these variable speed limits that change every 100 yards?
Surely, if we want safer roads we should bring back the hard shoulder on all motorways, have more marked police cars as just their presence makes drivers slow down and, more critically, simplify these variable speed limits that change every 100 yards?
Asked on 1 November 2021 by Mike Jackson
Answered by
Sarah Tooze
Smart motorways, also known as all-lane running (ALR) motorways, were introduced to ease congestion, as you suggest.
You're not alone in questioning their safety. They've been criticised by safety campaigners and by some police chiefs. A BBC Panorama investigation found 38 people had been killed on them during a five-year period.
The Government did introduce some improvement measures last year but it maintains that they are “in most ways” as safe, or safer than conventional motorways.
You're not alone in questioning their safety. They've been criticised by safety campaigners and by some police chiefs. A BBC Panorama investigation found 38 people had been killed on them during a five-year period.
The Government did introduce some improvement measures last year but it maintains that they are “in most ways” as safe, or safer than conventional motorways.
Tags:
hard shoulder
smart motorway
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