Smart Motorways: The future for motorways in congested Britain

Many drivers have probably cursed the technology which has been used to reduce the speed limit on a growing proportion of the motorway network, or been vexed by the enforcement cameras for failing to comply with the speed limit. But like or loathe the technology, with a little understanding maybe the technology can then be embraced.

Highways England have produced a video series and published these to social media sharing site, Youtube, but many of Britain's 30 million-plus licence holders seem unaware of this fact. Indeed , there is much in the public domain to advise and inform how best to cope with the arrival of these sophisticated "Smart" motorway systems.

Concentration -

When entering the variable speed limit sections, blue motorway signs warn and inform the presence of variable speed limits and speed limit enforcement activities. It is important to concentrate and look well ahead, and keep monitoring your mirrors for the actions and movement of those following, maybe too fast and too close behind.  If the gantries are not illuminated, then the normal motorway limit (70mph / 112kmh) applies. Be aware that HADECS3 (Highways Agency Digital Enforcement Camera System 3) cameras will monitor traffic flow and may be used to enforce the motorway speed limit. Speed differential is key to motorway safety. Half of a vehicles' speed is lost in the last third of braking, so small increases in speed can make a disproportionate difference in stopping distances, and more importantly your impact speed. 

Observation -

Look far ahead, scanning for any information that the speed limit may be about to change. Clues might be traffic bunching, travelling too fast and too close together, or information signs displayed, which can warn of "Queue After Next Junction", "Congestion" etc. Rather than ignoring these signs, or speeding up to get ahead in the queue, plan to slow earlier as this will potentially reduce the queue, or certainly the likelihood of having to brake harshly and therefore the risk of your involvement in a collision.

Anticipation -

Watch for the driver who hasn't seen or is at any rate ignoring the signs and clues of lowered speed limits ahead. Seek to enhance your safety by choosing and maintaining good lane discipline. Generally the further to the left you are, the safer you will be. Be aware of travelling in someone else's blind spot, and be wary of allowing them to travel in yours. Slowing gently to allow an overtaking vehicle to move ahead, or accelerating slightly to get ahead, but certainly avoid sitting next to or in the close proximity of a truck, as you will almost certainly be invisible to its driver.

Space -

The most important commodity you can keep around you is space. As a general rule a minimum separation distance of 2 seconds is ideal, but consider more if you are driving after a long day, and in the wet double this distance. This is not the space you need to stop, but could be a realistic reaction time when travelling at higher speeds. When speeds drop on motorways particularly, it is extremely common for traffic to bunch, not only resulting in much closer following distances, but also for vehicles to be travelling in your blind spot. In a speed restricted zone, as a general rule I avoid travelling in the outer lanes to prevent succumbing to the general fast, and close following flow of lanes 3 or 4.

Time -

The greatest asset you have is time, to respond and react to the changing motorway rhythm. After several hours of travelling at high speeds it is easy to believe you are travelling slower than you are, and very easy to compromise your safety by allowing your vehicle to follow others too closely. If the speed limit changes immediately before you reach the gantry, don't panic. Remember to look further ahead as the speed limit will almost certainly be enforced ahead of you, and the gantries ahead of you may indeed be displaying a speed limit lower than the one you are dealing with now. There is a time delay on camera equipment enforcing the changed speed limit, but don't become complacent, a speeding fine or NDORS course may be the least of your worries, if you were to rear end a stranded vehicle or even a queue of traffic in front, or hit a fellow motorist or Highways England staff who may be dealing with an incident on the motorway.

All Lane Running -

Basically where the hard shoulder is either removed altogether, and replaced with refuge areas roughly 2km apart, or the existing hard shoulder is used as a live lane at peak times.

Don't panic!!!

Be aware of overhead signs alerting you to emergency situations, temporary lane closures, stranded vehicles, crashes or workforce in the road. If there is an incident in your lane an arrow will be displayed on the gantry above you, bordered by vertically flashing amber lights. Move to another lane in the direction shown at the earliest safe opportunity. If a red cross is displayed above your lane with horizontally flashing red lights you must not proceed any further in that lane. Effectively a red traffic light for your lane, and enforcement will be taking place if you ignore the signs. After all, ignoring these signs will put lives at risk, none more so than your own. If red crosses are displayed above every lane then you must not go any further on the motorway. 

Breakdowns -

Although much rarer than ever before in automotive history, a breakdown can be potentially disastrous, so it is important to know what to do. If you can safely return to lane 1 you would be well advised to do so. Hazard warning lights should be switched on as early as possible. If you can reach a refuge area, you would be wise to do so. If you can turn your wheels away from the traffic, and get out of your vehicle via the nearside if possible and keep everyone with you. If you are travelling with animals these should be kept inside the vehicle. Highways England will be monitoring the cameras that line the motorway and will dispatch a Highways England Traffic Officer to assist you.

The majority of fatal collisions on motorways tend to involve vehicles that are stationary, so if possible to get out of the vehicle and behind the vehicle, albeit over the barrier/crash protection. Avoid doing this if your motorway section is elevated! If you can't realistically reach the refuge area and have stopped with a stranded vehicle in a live lane, you would be better off remaining in the vehicle until help arrives.