Coroner’s concern over Smart Motorway safety

‘Drivers should only stop in an emergency’

Concerns have been raised over a lack of technology to spot cars stranded on the motorway. A coroner is calling for greater protection just months before Kent’s first stretch of Smart Motorway is due to open between West Malling and Aylesford.

Assistant coroner Emma Brown said she wanted information from Highways England on how it can improve detection of stranded motorists.

She raised worries over ‘risk to life from the loss of the hard shoulder.’

Highways England hopes to enrol new technology to spot stranded cars on future smart motorways.

The authority did not respond when Kent Messenger asked if the M20 will be part of the rollout.

It comes after the death of an eight-year-old boy on the M6. Dev Naran died after a lorry hit his grandfather’s Toyota, despite the vehicle being stationary with its hazard lights on. Smart Motorways replace hard shoulders with live lanes and expect motorists to use emergency refuge areas.

Once complete, the M20 scheme will have five emergency refuge areas across its 6.5mile stretch.

Right now Highways England depends on calls from the public or emergency services to report vehicles stuck in live lanes. The Highways England spokesman said: “We cannot urge drivers strongly enough to ensure they only stop on the motorway in an emergency and to then follow published advice. “Smart motorways include more features than conventional motorways to further enhance safety, and both are significantly safer for drivers than other roads. The evidence shows that where smart motorways have been introduced there have been fewer collisions and congestion has reduced despite an increased number of vehicles using them.

“We are awaiting the coroner’s report which we will review.”