A growing chorus of concern from motoring organisation the RAC and a substantial majority of drivers is pushing for the urgent reintroduction of hard shoulders on existing all-lane-running (ALR) smart motorways. This call highlights persistent anxieties over safety, particularly for vehicles that break down and the emergency services responding to incidents on these sections of the motorway network.
According to research conducted by the RAC, a significant 70% of drivers believe that hard shoulders should be reinstated on ALR smart motorways that are already in operation. This sentiment underscores a widespread lack of confidence in the current safety provisions of these roads, where the hard shoulder is converted into a permanent live lane for traffic, removing a traditional refuge for stranded motorists.
The government made a decision in 2023 to halt the construction of any new ALR smart motorways, citing public and political unease. However, this pause did not extend to existing ALR sections, which continue to operate without a permanent hard shoulder. Critics argue that this leaves millions of drivers exposed to increased risks, with a particular focus on the time it takes for assistance to reach a stationary vehicle in a live lane.
In response to safety concerns, National Highways has been implementing radar detection technology designed to identify stopped vehicles in live lanes more quickly. While this is a step towards mitigating risk, the RAC and many drivers contend that it does not fully address the fundamental issue of removing a dedicated safe space for emergencies. The RAC has proposed that existing ALR lanes could be converted into dynamic hard shoulders, which would only be opened to traffic during peak times, offering a compromise between capacity and safety.
The debate surrounding smart motorways has been ongoing for several years, with numerous incidents fuelling public apprehension. The original intention behind ALR motorways was to alleviate congestion and increase road capacity without the need for costly and disruptive widening projects. However, the trade-off with perceived safety has become a central point of contention, leading to these renewed calls for a significant policy reversal on existing infrastructure.
Source: RAC Media Centre