To think Smart motorways are not Smart enough

[Calmontheoutsider]

The Telegraph reports today that ‘Smart motorways fail to detect two out of every five breakdowns’

‘Safety radar technology meant to detect stranded cars on smart motorways is missing up to 40 per cent of stopped vehicles and “falling short” of minimum targets.’

AIBU to think this is terrifying?

This is not new news. They have been reported and proven to be dangerous yet they still use them. Who’s clever idea is it to do without the hard shoulder?

It's the drivers who aren't smart. Can't throw money at that problem.

How anyone ever thought it was safe is beyond me. Terrifying.

Sorry, what????

They are ridiculously dangerous and need to be banned. I avoid wherever possible. Really scary to think of breaking down in a live lane with nowhere to pull over.

Smart motorways are stupid motorways

The original M42 pilot with options to use the hard shoulder when congested and traffic moves slower and frequent emergency laybys was sucessful.

Unfortunately vast sections of the network's 4 lane "all lane running" with no hard shoulder and significantly reduced layby provision and monitoring is a potential death trap with no safe place to retreat to. They were not built to the specifications to opperate safely in the name of cost-cutting.

Even the government have acknowledged it

@moreparmesan is there some way I can discern so I can avoid them going forward? The idea is terrifying and I would like to avoid.

What alternative do people suggest to coping with the massive growth in traffic numbers?

We have two new drivers in the family ready to learn. That means potentially four drivers and two extra cars in the family.

I agree, I used to use the M42 regularly and the smart motorway part was great in the rush hour to reduce congestion. The fourth lane was only used when it was busy and only for vehicles that were leaving the motorway at the next exit.

I was horrified after I moved to Manchester to realise that the new section of the M6 has 4 lanes open at all times and cars can carry on past an exit. Added to this, the safety areas are further apart.

Initially I was able to avoid the section by driving on A roads to Congleton, by passing the Lymn to Holmes Chapel junctions but now the smart motorway has been extended. Basically it is a 4 lane motorway with no hard shoulder and I am terrified when I drive to Birmingham - which lane is the safest to be in?

I have avoided driving to visit my son or old friends who live in Solihull but it annoys me that I have to do this.