The AA is calling for all hard shoulders to be reinstated after figures were released showing sections of ‘all lane running’ had a higher killed and seriously injured (KSI) rate now than before the introduction of smart motorways.
The motoring organisation said it was little wonder a large proportion of drivers said they felt less safe on smart motorways than three years ago and that the controversial strategy had failed.
Data contained in National Highways’ fourth year progress report revealed several sections of the M1 had a higher KSI rate now than before the hard shoulder was converted into an extra live lane.
In addition, the AA highlighted how a third of radar detection schemes tested failed to meet the standard - two of which failed and worsened in a 12-month period – and the M62 between junctions 10 and 12 had a system failure for 28 days.
The AA said this loss of safety technology, which drivers had been asked to put their trust in, meant they were put in unnecessary danger.
AA president Edmund King said: “It is time to accept so-called smart motorways have failed and side with the majority of drivers who want the reinstatement of the hard shoulder.”
IAM RoadSmart also criticised the findings; director of policy and standards Nicholas Lyes said: “After the many billions of pounds that have been spent on smart motorways, the metrics do not show a safer network compared to what it replaced.
“It also reveals that on those stretches of all lane running smart motorways without a hard shoulder, the rate of fatal and serious collisions involving stopped vehicles is almost double that of both a conventional motorway and those with a dynamic hard shoulder.
“Given the public’s hostility towards all lane running smart motorways, they will be relieved to know there are no plans to construct any more.
“However, question marks remain over what to do with existing stretches and how the government proceeds with future capacity expansion.”
In the report, National Highways CE Nick Harris said: “Our latest analysis continues to show that overall, in terms of deaths or serious injuries, smart motorways remain our safest roads.
“This is in line with the findings of our second year and third year progress reports.
“However, I am aware some people remain concerned about driving on motorways without a hard shoulder. We are continuing to develop a deeper understanding of drivers’ perceptions of different journey types, to allow us to support road users in travelling confidently and safely across the whole of our network.”
Last month, a coroner issued an alert to National Highways warning that unless it took urgent action there would be more deaths on smart motorways, following the death of a motorist who sustained fatal injuries when a lorry ploughed into his car on the M6.
