Report evidence summary
Stated actions An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised. 26
Department for Transport Provide written evidence to the House of Commons Transport Select Committee’s Smart Motorways inquiry.
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Department for Transport Commission and complete a review of Smart Motorway safety, resulting in the 2020 Safety Evidence Stocktake and Action Plan.
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Department for Transport Abolish dynamic hard shoulder motorways.
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Department for Transport Press Highways England to accelerate implementation of safety measures recommended in the 2020 Action Plan.
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Department for Transport Change the law to enable automatic detection of Red X violations.
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National Highways Run public information campaigns to improve motorway breakdown and driver safety awareness.
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National Highways Install additional signs showing distances to emergency stopping places.
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National Highways Widen emergency areas narrower than the current standard.
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National Highways Apply the new emergency-area spacing design standard to newly designed smart motorways.
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National Highways Establish a strategic partnership with the recovery industry using agreed safe operating procedures.
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National Highways Assist the Transport Select Committee inquiry into smart motorway rollout and safety.
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National Highways Make emergency-area location information available to satnav providers.
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National Highways Explore the feasibility of a national programme to retrofit additional emergency areas.
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National Highways Roll out automated obstruction messages when stopped vehicle detection identifies a potential incident.
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National Highways Upgrade existing smart motorway emergency areas with bright orange surfacing and marked stopping areas.
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National Highways Review whether satnav providers share emergency-area data with drivers.
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National Highways Monitor and assess live-lane breakdown and smart motorway safety evidence.
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National Highways Increase traffic officer presence and reduce attendance times on specified smart motorway sections.
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National Highways Develop additional safety measures for the M6 Bromford viaduct and four sections of the M1.
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National Highways Install and monitor ten additional emergency areas on the M25.
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National Highways Upgrade enforcement cameras and associated technology to detect Red X violations across the smart motorway network.
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National Highways Deliver a public information campaign about vehicle eCall and bCall functions.
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National Highways Publish the updated Highway Code with guidance for high-speed roads and smart motorways.
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National Highways Complete safety risk assessments for narrow emergency areas to guide potential widening.
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National Highways Retrofit stopped vehicle detection across all existing all-lane-running smart motorways.
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National Highways End use of dynamic hard shoulders by converting them to permanent traffic lanes.
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× Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Motorist confusion caused by mixed smart and traditional motorways
Wider context from the report “• The confusion caused to motorists posed by a mixture of smart motorways and traditional motorways
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of effective and consistent overview of smart motorways across England and Wales
Wider context from the report “• The need for a wider review / inquiry into Smart Motorways for the following reasons:
○ Coroners only conduct inquests for deaths that occur in their coronial area ( unless there is a body transfer ) and given smart motorways exist across England and Wales, coroners do not and cannot have an effective and consistent overview of the whole of England and Wales
○ An inquest is confined to consider the facts insofar as they relate to the death(s) before him or her in order to answer the four statutory questions. It must not consider wider issues.
○ An inquest cannot say what government policy should be
○ A wider review would not be constrained by the above and could consider all issues relevant to its remit and has the opportunity thereby of saving lives.
” Is this part of a recurring concern? No recurring-concern membership is currently published.
Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of driver awareness of smart motorway use
Wider context from the report “• The need for better driver awareness on the use of smart motorways
” Is this part of a recurring concern? No recurring-concern membership is currently published.
Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Risk posed by the absence of a hard shoulder on smart motorways
Wider context from the report “• The obvious and foreseeable risk posed by the absence of a hard shoulder on smart motorways ;
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of driver awareness of the need to get over the crash barrier where possible
Wider context from the report “• The need for better driver awareness of the need, where possible, to get over the crash barrier on all motorways, not just smart motorways
” Is this part of a recurring concern? No recurring-concern membership is currently published.
Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to identify stationary vehicles promptly
Wider context from the report “• The need to for Highways England to be better able to identify stationary vehicles
” Is this part of a recurring concern? No recurring-concern membership is currently published.
Open source report
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Provide written evidence to the House of Commons Transport Select Committee’s Smart Motorways inquiry.
Verbatim wording from the response “You will have noted that the House of Commons Transport Select Committee announced on 26 February 2021 a new Inquiry into the roll-out and safety of Smart Motorways. My Department will be providing written evidence to help the inquiry in its work too.” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-DFT-Redacted
Open published response
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Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Commission and complete a review of Smart Motorway safety, resulting in the 2020 Safety Evidence Stocktake and Action Plan.
Verbatim wording from the response “Smart Motorways were originally introduced under former Secretary of State John Prescott in 2001. Although per hundred million miles driven there appear to be fewer deaths on Smart Motorways than conventional ones², I have shared the public’s unease about whether Smart Motorways could be made safer still. As a result, one of my earliest actions as Secretary of State for Transport in Autumn 2019 was to commission a review into Smart Motorways.” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-DFT-Redacted
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How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Abolish dynamic hard shoulder motorways.
Verbatim wording from the response “Moreover, I believe that a lack of consistency on different types of smart motorways might cause confusion and we have already committed to abolishing the "dynamic hard shoulder" (DHS) motorways, where the hard shoulder operates only part-time and is a live running lane the rest of the time. Highways England is converting all DHS smart motorways into all lane running to provide a less confusing environment for motorists.” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-DFT-Redacted
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How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Press Highways England to accelerate implementation of safety measures recommended in the 2020 Action Plan.
Verbatim wording from the response “The Smart Motorway Safety Evidence Stocktake and Action Plan report (‘2020 Action Plan’), which was published in March 2020. One year on, I have received a progress report on existing actions and I am pressing Highways England to accelerate safety measures recommended in the 2020 Action Plan where possible to ensure that all lane running (ALR) motorways are the safest roads in the country. Highways England will publish this report shortly.” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-DFT-Redacted
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How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Change the law to enable automatic detection of Red X violations.
Verbatim wording from the response “The safety improvements in the 2020 Action Plan consisted of a package of 18 measures, costing £500 million, including the rollout of a radar-based stopped vehicle detection (SVD) system across the ALR motorway network and an increase in the number of Highways England traffic officers to reduce the attendance time from an average of 17 minutes to 10 minutes. Furthermore, we have changed the law to enable automatic detection of Red X violations. Highways England is upgrading cameras across the smart motorway network to enable automatic detection of Red X violations which can then be enforced by the police.” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-DFT-Redacted
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How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Run public information campaigns to improve motorway breakdown and driver safety awareness.
Verbatim wording from the response “• More communication with drivers (committing an additional £5 million to national and targeted communication campaigns, including advice on what to do in case of a breakdown)” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-Highways-England-Redacted
Open published response
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How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Install additional signs showing distances to emergency stopping places.
Verbatim wording from the response “• More traffic signs giving the distance to the next place to stop in an emergency” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-Highways-England-Redacted
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How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Widen emergency areas narrower than the current standard.
Verbatim wording from the response “• We will complete our programme to widen emergency areas which are narrower than the current standard.” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-Highways-England-Redacted
Open published response
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How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Apply the new emergency-area spacing design standard to newly designed smart motorways.
Verbatim wording from the response “• Committing to a new standard for spacing of places to stop in an emergency” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-Highways-England-Redacted
Open published response
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How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Establish a strategic partnership with the recovery industry using agreed safe operating procedures.
Verbatim wording from the response “• Closer working with the recovery industry” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-Highways-England-Redacted
Open published response
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How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Assist the Transport Select Committee inquiry into smart motorway rollout and safety.
Verbatim wording from the response “On 26 February 2021, the Transport Select Committee publicly announced that it would conduct an inquiry into the roll-out and safety of smart motorways, with a particular focus on:” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-Highways-England-Redacted
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How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Make emergency-area location information available to satnav providers.
Verbatim wording from the response “• Places to stop in an emergency shown on your satnav” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-Highways-England-Redacted
Open published response
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How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Explore the feasibility of a national programme to retrofit additional emergency areas.
Verbatim wording from the response “• Considering a national programme to install more emergency areas on existing smart motorways” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-Highways-England-Redacted
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How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Roll out automated obstruction messages when stopped vehicle detection identifies a potential incident.
Verbatim wording from the response “• Displaying ‘report of obstruction’ messages” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-Highways-England-Redacted
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How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Upgrade existing smart motorway emergency areas with bright orange surfacing and marked stopping areas.
Verbatim wording from the response “• Making emergency areas more visible” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-Highways-England-Redacted
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How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Review whether satnav providers share emergency-area data with drivers.
Verbatim wording from the response “• We will work with the DfT to review whether the emergency area data we made available to satnav providers is being shared with drivers.” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-Highways-England-Redacted
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How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Monitor and assess live-lane breakdown and smart motorway safety evidence.
Verbatim wording from the response “Each smart motorway scheme must also meet this same strict test: to be at least as safe as, or safer than, the traditional motorway it replaced. We carefully monitor all schemes after delivery to ensure that this standard is met in all cases.” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-Highways-England-Redacted
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How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Increase traffic officer presence and reduce attendance times on specified smart motorway sections.
Verbatim wording from the response “• Faster attendance by more Highways England traffic officer patrols” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-Highways-England-Redacted
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How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Develop additional safety measures for the M6 Bromford viaduct and four sections of the M1.
Verbatim wording from the response “• Investigating M6 Bromford viaduct and sections of the M1” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-Highways-England-Redacted
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How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Install and monitor ten additional emergency areas on the M25.
Verbatim wording from the response “• Delivering ten additional emergency areas on the M25” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-Highways-England-Redacted
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How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Upgrade enforcement cameras and associated technology to detect Red X violations across the smart motorway network.
Verbatim wording from the response “• Changed the law to enable automatic detection of Red ‘X’ violations and enforcement (3 points, £100 fine) using cameras” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-Highways-England-Redacted
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How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Deliver a public information campaign about vehicle eCall and bCall functions.
Verbatim wording from the response “• We will continue to work with stakeholders to agree the key messages for a public information campaign focusing on the use of eCall (SOS) and bCall (breakdown assistance) buttons in vehicles which will run later in 2021.” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-Highways-England-Redacted
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How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Publish the updated Highway Code with guidance for high-speed roads and smart motorways.
Verbatim wording from the response “• We have drafted new provisions for The Highway Code to provide more guidance for motorists driving on high-speed roads, including smart” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-Highways-England-Redacted
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How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Complete safety risk assessments for narrow emergency areas to guide potential widening.
Verbatim wording from the response “• Reviewing existing emergency areas where width is less than the current standard” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-Highways-England-Redacted
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How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Retrofit stopped vehicle detection across all existing all-lane-running smart motorways.
Verbatim wording from the response “A decision was subsequently taken to retrofit SVD to all existing all lane running smart motorways. This is an ambitious, highly engaged and complex programme, which the Government and Highways England have committed to completing by the end of 2022. Work on the M1 junctions 32-35a, where the incident occurred, has started and the technology should be operational by Summer 2021.” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-Highways-England-Redacted
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How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation End use of dynamic hard shoulders by converting them to permanent traffic lanes.
Verbatim wording from the response “• Ending the use of dynamic hard shoulders by March 2025” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-Highways-England-Redacted
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How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Highways England is responsible for addressing the points raised about smart motorway safety.
Verbatim wording from the response “I understand that Highways England is addressing the points you raise in further detail.” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-DFT-Redacted
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How this respondent position was interpreted
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PFD Monitor interpretation Responsibility for operating, maintaining and improving roads outside England rests with the relevant devolved administrations.
Verbatim wording from the response “Highways England is the Government-owned company charged with operating, maintaining and improving England's motorways and major A-roads. Responsibility for the road network in other parts of the UK rests with the devolved administrations. This response accordingly addresses the position in England.” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-Highways-England-Redacted
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How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation All-lane-running smart motorways operate safely without stopped vehicle detection, although detection technology could make them safer still.
Verbatim wording from the response “All lane running schemes are designed to, and do, operate extremely safely without the need for stopped vehicle detection (SVD) technology. But SVD systems can make all lane running smart motorways safer still, by automatically detecting stopped vehicles on the carriageway and thereby enabling a more rapid response. In 2013 the Highways Agency identified an automated SVD system to further reduce the risks of vehicles stopped in live lanes, and this was trialled between 2014 and 2016. Following successful trials, in September 2016 it was decided that SVD would be included as standard in all new all lane running schemes entering the design stage. The standard requires a coverage of at least 95% of the carriageway, with a minimum detection accuracy of 80% and a maximum time to alert an operator of 30 seconds.” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-Highways-England-Redacted
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How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Evidence indicates smart motorways improve overall safety, with reductions in other risks outweighing the increased risk associated with absent hard shoulders.
Verbatim wording from the response “However, risk cannot be eliminated entirely from roads. Hard shoulders do not eliminate the risk of collision and, indeed, 8% (or 1 in 12) of all deaths on motorways are on hard shoulders. The specific risk posed by the absence of hard shoulders on all lane running smart motorways, and in particular the greater risk of collision between stationary and moving vehicles has been recognised throughout. But that specific increased risk is outweighed by the reduction in other risks brought about by all lane running smart motorways. The evidence has demonstrated that all lane running smart motorways lead to fewer, not more, deaths.” Source location 2021-0013-Response-from-Highways-England-Redacted
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