Fleet manager online


Essential Advice
for The  Essential Service Fleet Operators Group

  • Home
  • News
  • Transport Law
  • Advice
  • Case Studies
  • Magazines
  • Events Diary
  • ESFO Group
  • Recruitment
  • Utility Fleet Forum
  • FM18 Conference

Motorists worried about safety on Smart Motorways

5/9/2014

0 Comments

 
The IAM is calling for more information and advice on SMART motorways for drivers.

The call comes after seventy-one per cent of drivers said they would feel less safe on a motorway with no hard shoulder than a motorway with one, according to the latest poll by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

One of the main concerns of respondents is the plan to increase the distance between safety refuges with forty-eight per cent of respondents believing that safety refuges should be no more than 500 yards (0.45km) apart. 

Forty per cent of respondents are sceptical that new monitoring systems on SMART motorways, such as electronic signs, can protect them in the event of stopping in a running lane.

Other survey findings include: 

  • Sixty-seven per cent of respondents said they haven’t seen any publicity about SMART motorways.
  • A third of respondents (thirty-two per cent) would support the legalising of undertaking on SMART motorways.
  • Forty-two per cent believe SMART motorways have reduced congestion and forty-three per cent of respondents said it has improved their journey times .
IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “SMART motorways are being rolled out across England but our survey shows that drivers want more reassurance and information on how safe they will be and how to use them.  The IAM has been supportive of hard shoulder running but we have always said that the Highways Agency must be quick to learn and implement any real world lessons as more schemes come into use.”

The IAM offers some guidance on using SMART motorways:

Pay attention to the overhead gantries as they provide information on traffic conditions and lane access for the road ahead. The six signals are:

  • A red cross without flashing beacons. The hard shoulder is only for use in an emergency or breakdown.
  • A speed limit inside a red circle.  It is absolutely mandatory and may have cameras enforcing it.
  • A blank signal. Usual motorway rules apply.
  • A white arrow with flashing beacons. This applies to all lanes and means you should move into the lane which the arrow points to.
  • A red cross with flashing beacons. You should not continue to use the lane.
  • A national speed limit sign is shown. The national speed limit, 70mph maximum, applies to all lanes apart from the hard shoulder.
Types of motorways:

  • Controlled motorway – these have three or more lanes with variable speed limits. Hard shoulder use is strictly for emergency use only.
  • Hard shoulder running – the hard shoulder will be opened at busy times and the speed limit will be reduced.  Don’t use the hard shoulder unless overhead signs show that you can do so.
  • All lane running – there is no hard shoulder on these sections of the motorway.  Obey the variable speed limits and do not stop on the motorway.  In the event of an emergency, use an emergency refuge area, motorway service area or exit at the next junction.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Fleet Industry News 
    ​

    RSS Feed

    ESFO Group
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013

Tweets by @FleetManager_UK
Cookie Policy & Terms
Useful Links
Contact Us
Published by
JDM Web Publishing Ltd  Company Reg: 7511460
No part of this website may be reproduced without prior permission from the copyright owner, this includes the editorial
​extracts and content from magazines that are contained or linked from this website that are owned by JDM Web Publishing Ltd.
 
Website by JDM Web Publishing

BACK TO TOP

© JDM Web Publishing Ltd | All Rights Reserved
✕