A recent study conducted by the AA has shown that the number of drivers feeling uneasy or worried while using “smart” motorways has doubled over the past year.

Smart motorways, a technology aimed at improving traffic flow by utilizing the hard shoulder as an additional lane, have raised concerns among critics. These motorways cover 396 miles 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. Analysis reveals that drivers experiencing breakdowns on motorways without a hard shoulder are three times more likely to face fatal or severe injuries compared to those with a readily available hard shoulder.

A survey of 12,705 AA members indicated a significant increase in feelings of nervousness or anxiety on smart motorways without hard shoulders. The proportion of drivers experiencing such emotions has risen from 23% to 46% in the past year. Similarly, motorways where the hard shoulder is only operational during peak hours saw a jump in anxiety levels from 30% to 47% among respondents in the last 12 months.

In April 2023, the Conservative government announced the cancellation of new smart motorway projects due to concerns over driver confidence and financial pressures.

AA President, Edmund King, expressed the organization’s preference for reinstating the hard shoulder in controlled motorway setups to restore driver confidence in smart motorways. The AA stressed the necessity for clearer safety evaluation and monitoring procedures for motorways.

Despite the halt in new smart motorway developments, drivers remain uncertain about safety oversight on existing smart motorways. The AA urged for the prompt release of safety performance reports for areas where smart motorway technology is still in operation.

Emphasizing the importance of transparency, King urged the immediate publication of safety reports to weigh the experiment’s benefits against drawbacks.

Responding to the concerns, a Department for Transport spokesperson highlighted smart motorways as the safest roads in terms of fatalities and severe injuries. The government continues to enhance smart motorways, including adding over 150 additional emergency areas to ensure user safety.

The government aims to further elevate road safety standards through its Road Safety Strategy, the first of its kind in more than a decade.