The AA has dubbed smart motorways, which remove the hard shoulder and rely on technology to manage traffic, a "catastrophic waste of time, money and effort".
A number of local residents have voiced significant concerns regarding the implementation and use of smart motorways. Many individuals feel that these road systems negatively impact driver safety, leaving motorists feeling more vulnerable when mechanical issues or emergencies arise. One primary concern highlighted by road users is the lack of a hard shoulder on these routes. Drivers report that should they experience a vehicle breakdown while on a smart motorway, they are often left with no immediate place to pull over safely.
Instead, they find themselves in a position where they must wait in live traffic lanes for assistance, a scenario many describe as inherently dangerous. Another issue raised is the perceived failure of drivers to adhere to variable speed limits displayed on smart motorways.
According to some experienced motorists, many vehicles frequently travel at speeds exceeding the stated limits, which undermines the intended safety benefits of the technology. Some also suggest that the reliance on various technological and AI-driven monitoring systems has not successfully addressed traffic flow or safety challenges.
In light of these experiences, there is a clear sentiment among these local voices that smart motorways may not have been a beneficial infrastructure choice.
