The first of a new-style smart motorway emergency area, where drivers can stop in an emergency, is being trialled by Highways England.
The redesigned emergency area has a highly visible orange road surface and better signs to help make it more obvious to drivers on smart motorways. It is also hoped that it will encourage drivers to only use them in emergency situations.
“We know that smart motorways are safe. But we also recognise that drivers need to have confidence when using them and be clear about where they can stop in an emergency,” said Highways England Chief Executive Jim O’Sullivan.
“That is why we are trialling these highly visible new style emergency areas. The bright orange colouring will make them as easy as possible to spot and should also discourage drivers from using them in non-emergency situations. This is just one of the ways we are helping drivers to understand smart motorways and their benefits. I hope it helps drivers feel more confident about using a smart motorway.”
Smart motorways use variable speed limits to manage traffic and address stop-start congestion, new technology to give drivers better information on road conditions ahead and – in smart motorway upgrades delivered since 2004 – convert the hard shoulder into an extra traffic lane.
According to Highways England, evidence shows that smart motorways are successfully adding extra capacity, improving journey times and are just as safe as conventional motorways.
“Our roads are some of the safest in the world but we are always looking at making them safer,” said Transport Secretary Chris Grayling. “Smart motorways are adding extra lanes to our busiest motorways and – as recent evidence shows – reducing the rate of crashes. We are making emergency refuge areas more visible to ensure motorists in trouble can easily identify where to stop safely.”
The first of the new orange emergency areas is being trialled on the M3 in Surrey. If successful, and drivers find the changes beneficial, more orange emergency areas will be introduced across England’s network of smart motorways.
