A new study suggests drivers are continuing to feel less safe on smart motorways than on conventional motorways, despite a significant improvement in overall satisfaction following the completion of National Highways’ programme to install additional emergency areas.
The latest Strategic Roads User Survey by the independent watchdog Transport Focus found satisfaction with journeys on smart motorways rose from 60% to 66% over the past year, reversing last year’s decline. It attributes the improvement to the completion of the National Emergency Area Retrofit programme, which added 150 new emergency refuge areas and reduced the distance between places for stranded vehicles to stop safely.
However, the survey also carries a warning that public perception of smart motorways continues to trail behind more traditional routes. While 82% of drivers on conventional motorways said they felt safe during their journey, that figure fell to 78% for those using smart motorways, suggesting concerns remain despite the safety upgrades.
Transport Focus says the findings indicate that although engineering improvements have enhanced the driving experience, confidence has not yet fully caught up. Last year’s survey linked lower satisfaction to widespread roadworks associated with the emergency area retrofit programme, while this year’s results suggest drivers are now beginning to recognise the benefits once those works have been completed.
The Strategic Roads User Survey, which questioned almost 10,000 road users about their most recent journey on England’s strategic road network, also found overall satisfaction with National Highways-managed roads increased from 69% to 71%, with improvements in journey times, road surfaces and the management of roadworks all contributing to the rise.
Other statistics show smart motorways are safer, or as safe as traditional motorways, but this survey suggests that National Highways continues to face a challenge to changing drivers’ perception of the all-lane running schemes.
(Picture: Transport Focus)
