Bad drivers

DRIVING articulated vehicles, I have seen the danger of smart motorways. When going ahead with this project, no one has taken into account that most people’s driving knowledge is appalling.

Many have no idea what a red cross means on the gantry signs and they keep driving in a closed lane. everyone is in too much of a hurry, but driving at 70 mph, you need to be looking a lot further in front of you so you have time to react to anything in your lane.

Anyone who breaks down in lane one of a smart motorway should throw themselves over the crash barrier immediately because nowhere else is safe.

MICK TYLER, Forest Row, E. Sussex. WHO in their right mind would think it was a good idea for a vehicle to stop, or even slow down drastically, on a motorway?

The following vehicle has little or no chance of stopping, and so has to swerve into the middle lane, with no time to check if it is safe to do so. This may cause an accident, which results in traffic hold-ups or even road closures.

you used to be told that if you broke down on a motorway, you should get out of your vehicle and take refuge on the grass bank.

Now, you daren’t get out for fear of being struck by traffic passing at speed. Staying in the vehicle, you run the risk of another car driving straight into you.

Forget high-tech monitoring systems; with the best will in the world rescue services can’t get to a broken-down car immediately.

Was approval for smart motorways sought from the police or the rescue services? I doubt it. RAY SPILLMAN, Barking, London.