Extra lay-bys could be fitted to all smart motorways

DLDLDL    on 19 November 2021

"Lay-bys" need to be about a minimum of a kilometre long (1/2 km to drift to a halt - leaving space for recovery vehicle in front, and 1/2 km to allow for acceleration before rejoining the "stupid lane"). They then need to start every kilometre.

There is of course an easier way - which would also provide an access lane for emergency vehicles.

DLDLDL    on 19 November 2021

By installing control gantries, variable speed limits and cameras, you might improve driving in that there is less speeding and less tailgating.

Provided the driver does not get information overload from watching the traffic, his car and the endless gantries. The effect on driver fatigue of driving for an extended time on "stupid motorways" has not been assessed.

IF that does provide a safety benefit, doing away with the hard shoulder (a place where you can stop where, unlike a running lane, you can be pretty confident you will not be shunted up the back by another vehicle at speed) throws away a whole lot of safety.

How can stopping in a "live" lane be "safer" than stopping on a proper hard shoulder?

DLDLDL    on 19 November 2021

Always assuming that that "safety barrier" is not actually the parapet of a bridge which you cannot see in the dark!

Sharon Summers    on 19 November 2021

Getting out of the passenger side is something I can't do because I'm on crutches, riddled with arthritis. It really scares me to drive on a smart motorway in case something does happen. I did email highways following their advert on tv and I was amazed that they replied, and gave me a mobile number to call!
This would be a huge mistake to keep them.

soldierboy 001    on 19 November 2021

There are areas on Spanish motorways without hard shoulders and the distance between safe areas is about 1 KM were possible but they don't really allow much for slowing into or accelerating out of.

Frank Bunce    on 19 November 2021

The minister of transport and all the officials who support smart motorways and compile the 'Safety Rules' for them, should be required to carry out live practises of the suggested emergency procedures in the event of a breakdown and see if they think them adequate and acceptable. Of course, they won't do this. Everybody accepts that driving on any road carries a certain level of danger, but to introduce an obvious risk which replaces a safety feature – the hard shoulder – goes against all common sense and respect for life. Many people may get to their destination faster, but some people will never get there because of these changes to all lane running.

michael james shiels    on 19 November 2021

I will be very apprehensive and stressed every time I drive on these dangerous new motorways.My little Ford with its blinking haards would not be seen in a sleet/snow storm,and I would almost certainly be killed.

jchinuk    on 19 November 2021

Please don't refer to these areas as "laybys", they are emergency refuge areas. Calling them laybys will mean some numpty will have a picnic in one.

Mike Turner    on 19 November 2021

I had to use one of these 'refuge areas' a few days ago. Very dangerous. They are just not big enough. Not long enough to get into without a serious speed reduction (with a lorry up your tail). Then not long enough to get out of again. I am not surprised that people have been killed.

Edited by Mike Turner on 19/11/2021 at 15:08

   on 19 November 2021

It might be preferable to have these refuge areas every 100 yards - eventually new ones could be introduced every 50 yards, then every 25 yards and eventually link them all up to create a very safe area and call it ... mmm now let me think...what about 'a hard shoulder refuge area' - now that should resolve the issue I reckon. John Talbot

Flak-Magnet    on 19 November 2021

Really don't know what the problem is with all lane running. If you break down (and statistically you won't) get out of the car and hop over the barrier. Suggest you put your rear fog light on as well as emergency indicators to warn drivers of the obstruction. Easy.

Graham Saunders    on 19 November 2021

The best strategy is to make for the central reservation where you will 'only' be at risk from vehicles weighing less than 2 tons and which have better brakes than a 40 ton juggernaut that will be likely to hit you in the left hand lane.

frederick heath    on 19 November 2021

We don't just need more refuges, what is needed is what was promised from the start; instant recognition that a vehicle has broken down in a live lane and the instant red cross over that lane to close the lane off. Emergency vehicles still cannot reach the incident when the motorway jams up when a breakdown/accident occurs.

paul mack    on 19 November 2021

So, yet again, these muppets from National Highways still insist that ‘Smart’ Motorways are safe!
On top of this AND despite the many deaths caused by this truly stupid and deadly idea, the government has not stepped in to revert back to hard shoulders and save lives.
Transport Secretary Shapps and his delusional colleagues are clueless and should be brought before a court of law to face the consequences of people’s lives lost and put behind bars to reflect on their disgraceful decisions.

george easton    on 20 November 2021

What i suggest is , if anyone has to stop in a live lane for whatever reason and they are HIT by other traffic with serious consequences then SUE the Bosses not highways England individually , that might make the i****S take note that their i****ic idea of smart motorways are NOT smart !!

hissingsid    on 20 November 2021

One of the dubious arguments put forward in support of "Smart" motorways is that modern cars are less likely to break down, but any car no matter how reliable can have a puncture at any time.

Mister S    on 20 November 2021

Smart Motorways was a stupid idea from the start and the increasing number of needless deaths simply underlines that someone in authority needs to get real. If a death happened to one of their friends or relatives no doubt something would get done. All motorways currently under construction must have a hard shoulder provided and existing smart motorways need to be converted back. I have pledged support to www.crowdjustice.com/case/smart-motorway-jr/ who are trying to get enough funds for a Judicial review of the decision to allow Smart Motorways to be brought in. Action is needed!

   on 20 November 2021

There is nothing smart about a 'Smart' motorway, they are deathtraps as has already been proven. The nonsense spouted by their supporters like, the lane can be shut down immediately if it's blocked by a breakdown is insulting the intelligence, it takes a fraction of a second at motorway speeds, (even slower speeds), for the vehicle behind to plough into the breakdown, then the next then the next with the potential of a huge deadly pileup and heaven help them if it involves HGV's. Probably the best way to get traffic volumes reduced on motorways is to allow these constant gridlocks to form then maybe many drivers might just start to think twice about their methods of travel.

Brian Swain    on 19 January 2022

Climbing over the barrier is not always a good idea. My engine warning light came on came on when I was on the M25 and I made it on to the hard shoulder. Fortunately it was daylight and I knew that stretch of the M25 well. The other side of the barrier was the on slip road for the M3!

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