First reported 19 Jan 2021•Latest report 16 Sep 2022
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures in public-facing information and communication arrangements that explain smart motorway operation, distinguish it from traditional motorway operation, and tell road users how to respond to or report safety-critical problems on smart motorways.
Not included
Excludes physical smart-motorway design, emergency refuge provision, stationary-vehicle detection and monitoring failures where public understanding or information provision is not the unsafe condition.
Excludes general motorway safety information unrelated to smart-motorway operation or the actions required when a safety-critical problem occurs.
Excludes ambulance, police or highway-authority response failures after a road user has correctly reported a problem.
Excludes generic public communication deficiencies without a specific smart-motorway safety-information context.
Reports
2
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
2
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2021–2022
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
7
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
National Highways2
Department for Transport1
National road infrastructure body2
Ministerial department1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
South Yorkshire (Eastern)
Concerns raised1
Failure to effectively communicate to road users the need to alert authorities to problems on the motorway network
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.5
Action
Maintain road-safety campaign guidance, including specific advice for motorway breakdowns.
Stated by National HighwaysStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 18 June 2025.
Action
Deliver eCall awareness campaigns explaining how drivers and people assisting others can summon emergency help.
Stated by National HighwaysStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 18 June 2025.
Action
Work with relevant authorities to update The Highway Code with eCall emergency-contact guidance.
Stated by National HighwaysStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 18 June 2025.
Action
Conduct a cross-organisation study of further ways to increase public awareness of how to respond when someone is in difficulty on the roads.
Stated by National HighwaysStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 18 June 2025.
Action
Update eCall communications through a further campaign, the Driving for Better Business programme and staff communications.
Stated by National HighwaysStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 18 June 2025.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
The Department for Transport is responsible for deciding whether to update The Highway Code to improve public guidance on reporting motorway problems.
Stated by National HighwaysRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
South Yorkshire (Western)
Concerns raised1
Motorist confusion caused by mixed smart and traditional motorways
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Abolish dynamic hard shoulder motorways.
Stated by Department for TransportStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 26 January 2021.
Action
End use of dynamic hard shoulders by converting them to permanent traffic lanes.
Stated by National HighwaysStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 26 January 2021.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Highways England is responsible for addressing the points raised about smart motorway safety.
Stated by Department for TransportRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
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Includes failures in public-facing information and communication arrangements that explain smart motorway operation, distinguish it from traditional motorway operation, and tell road users how to respond to or report safety-critical problems on smart motorways.
