Smart motorways, hailed as the UK’s ‘safest roads’, face scrutiny due to technical issues causing incidents.
- Operators cannot rely solely on government technology for safety on smart motorways.
- Technological failures have resulted in significant safety incidents despite advanced monitoring systems.
- Modern driver assistance systems are essential in improving vehicle safety on these roads.
- Regular vehicle checks and maintenance play crucial roles in preventing breakdowns.
Smart motorways, designed to alleviate congestion on UK roads, are increasingly under scrutiny for their safety credentials. Despite being dubbed the ‘safest roads’, a series of technical malfunctions have cast doubt on their reliability. Recent reports indicate that from June 2022 to February 2024, 392 incidents were recorded due to such technical failures, highlighting the need for fleet operators to look beyond government-prescribed solutions to safeguard both drivers and vehicles.
Reliance on existing traffic management systems, such as overhead signage, has proven inadequate, often dividing public opinion with its mixed results. While advancements in vehicle safety, such as blind-spot monitoring, anti-lock braking systems, and electronic stability control have contributed to reducing risks, operators are urged to adopt modern solutions like Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) to ensure comprehensive safety.
ADAS utilises artificial intelligence to monitor lane departures and potential forward collisions, providing drivers with vital blind spot alerts. This system proves indispensable for managing large fleets regularly navigating motorways, enabling operators to collect data on driving habits and incident alerts. Such data can form the basis of robust training programmes aimed at enhancing motorway driving safety.
Similarly, DMS focuses on curbing driver distractions. By employing AI-powered cameras within the vehicle’s cab, this technology monitors for signs of drowsiness, unauthorised phone use, and other distractions. Alerts generated by such systems allow operators to address issues proactively, ensuring risky behaviours are swiftly corrected.
Equally important is the emphasis on regular vehicle checks and maintenance, a responsibility that commercial drivers must not overlook. These precautions are pivotal in preempting breakdowns, especially on smart motorways that lack a hard shoulder. This proactive approach is integral to preventing incidents and maintaining unimpeded traffic flow, ultimately complementing the technological aids already in place.
Operators and drivers must integrate modern safety solutions with government technology to achieve safer roads.
