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Using Smart Motorways

Smart motorways might well be contentious, but they’re becoming increasingly common, so you need to know how to drive on them.

Forming part of England’s motorway network in the North, North West, Midlands, South East and South West, they use technology to monitor and manage traffic flow.

Controversially, on some busy stretches of smart motorway, the hard shoulder has been permanently made into an extra lane. On others, the hard shoulder serves as a temporary additional lane during peak times.

Whether or not you agree with smart motorways, you need to know how they work, what signs to be aware of, and what to do if your vehicle breaks down.

You also need to abide by variable speed limits, introduced by Highways England to keep motorway traffic moving steadily and reduce congestion during busy periods. Speed cameras are in operation, and If you exceed the speed limit displayed on the electronic message boards, you could be fined.

If no variable speed limit is shown, then you can drive at the national speed limit of 70mph.

Don’t drive in a lane closed by a Red X. It’s against the law, and, if you’re caught, you could be handed a fixed penalty of up to £100 as well as three points on your licence.

If your vehicle develops a problem while you’re on a smart motorway, such as a warning light coming on, get off at the next exit.

Having no hard shoulder to park up in if your car breaks down concerns many drivers. Highways England, however, advises that drivers should always try and drive to a designated emergency area, even if the hard shoulder is available. It says that because emergency areas are set further away from the carriageway, they give better protection than the hard shoulder.

The Gov.UK website, www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-drive-on-a-smart-motorway#quick-tips has detailed information on what to do if your car breaks down on a smart motorway, including an emergency number to call from your mobile phone if you can’t reach the designated SOS telephones at the side of the carriageway.

As when driving on any road, smart motorway or not, drivers are advised to keep their vehicles as roadworthy as possible and make any basic checks before setting out.

Make sure your mobile phone has plenty of charge, and that you have details of your breakdown cover with you. It’s also advisable to keep a torch and a hi-vis jacket in your car in case of emergency, and carry water, snacks and be able to plan your route, via your phone or by using a road map.

Stay safe and legal by being alert to changing traffic peaks and flows and look at overhead gantries and signs for the latest traffic information.

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Using Smart Motorways