New-style highly visible smart motorway emergency
areas, where drivers can stop in an emergency, are being rolled out
on the M1.
The new look emergency areas have bright orange road surfaces to
help improve visibility so they are more obvious to drivers on
smart motorways. It is also hoped that it will encourage drivers
to only use them in emergency situations.
The first of the new emergency areas went live on the M3 near
Camberley last month. This change is part of an ongoing review
into the design and spacing of emergency areas on smart
motorways. A further 14 emergency areas will have the distinctive
orange colour added along the M1 between junctions 19 (Catthorpe)
to 16a (Northampton) from this month.
Highways England Chief Executive Jim O’Sullivan said:
We recognise the public concern about smart motorways and we
also believe that changes such as these will help drivers have
confidence when using them and be clear about where they can
stop in an emergency.
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
tackle frustrating 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. Evidence shows that smart
motorways are successfully adding extra capacity, improving
journey times and are just as safe as conventional motorways.
The redesigned emergency area supports Highways England’s drive
to improve awareness of smart motorway driving, including what to
do in an emergency and when to use an emergency area. It sits
alongside a national TV, radio and social media campaign covering
key themes such as not driving in lanes closed by Red X signs,
how to stop in an emergency and the importance of carrying out
appropriate vehicle checks, like checking fuel levels, before
setting out on a journey to avoid unnecessary breakdowns.
