Smart Motorways Explained — Are They Actually Safe?

Smart motorways have expanded significantly across England and Wales — and so has the controversy around them. Here's a clear-headed look at what they are and how to use them safely.

Types of Smart Motorway

Controlled motorway: Three or more lanes with variable speed limits displayed on overhead gantries. The hard shoulder is retained and used only in genuine emergencies. This is the safest type.

Dynamic hard shoulder (DHS): The hard shoulder can be opened as a running lane during busy periods, indicated by overhead signs. When a national speed limit sign is shown above the hard shoulder, it is open. A red X means it is closed.

All Lane Running (ALR): No permanent hard shoulder. All lanes run at all times. Emergency Refuge Areas (ERAs) replace the hard shoulder, spaced roughly every 500–800 metres.

The Controversy

Following a series of fatalities, the government announced in 2023 that no new ALR motorways would be built. Existing ones remain operational with increased safety measures including:

How to Drive Safely on ALR Smart Motorways

1. Know where the ERAs are — they are marked with blue signs showing the distance to the next one

2. If your car develops a problem, try to make it to an ERA — even at very low speed, this is far safer than stopping in a live lane

3. If you must stop in a live lane — put hazard lights on immediately, call 999, and stay in the car with your seatbelt on

4. Obey every red X — driving under a closed lane marker is a fixed-penalty offence and could mean a stationary vehicle is ahead

The Red X

The most important signal on a smart motorway. A red X means do not use that lane. The fine for ignoring it is £100 and 3 penalty points — but more importantly, there may be a stopped vehicle or emergency personnel ahead.

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