Highways England has launched a new campaign to help drivers adapt to smart motorways.
First introduced in 2014, smart motorways use variable speed limits to manage traffic and tackle stop-start congestion.
The hard shoulder is turned into an ‘active lane’, with gantry signs displaying a red X indicating if a lane is closed – usually as a result of a vehicle breakdown or in the event of a collision.
It is estimated that approximately 400 miles of motorway have already been converted – with more set to follow.
The #KeepUsAllMoving campaign highlights four areas which Highways England says are key to staying safe on smart motorways – including a plea for motorists not to ignore red X signs.
Under legislation introduced in June 2019, drivers who ignore red X signs can be automatically handed a £100 fine and three penalty points.
The campaign also encourages drivers to ‘wise up to breaking down’ – including guidance to help drivers know what to do in an emergency.
It features a video with Alan Norton, chairman of Disabled Motoring UK, who talks about why smart motorways are a good thing for disabled drivers – and shares his advice on what to do in a breakdown situation.
How about launching a new campaign to re-introduce the hard shoulder that stays a hard shoulder 24/7 on all motorways. Smart motorways are nothing more than “Value engineering” at its worst. Cost cutting designs to lower the cost of capital projects rather than do a proper job on a proper budget.
Guzzi, Newport
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