Smart advice for summer drivers

Smart advice for summer drivers

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Drivers setting off on summer holidays are being urged to ensure they’re totally prepared and know about the latest signs and signals they will see on England's motorways.

England’s motorways are already some of the safest in the world and the advice today is another step towards improving this further and reducing accidents on our roads.

With 46,000 breakdowns on England’s motorways and major A roads last summer, drivers are also being reminded what to do if they break down, including if that is on a section of 'smart motorway' where there is no hard shoulder.

The thousands of the incidents include trailers and caravans incorrectly fitted, tyre blow outs and people not having enough fuel to complete their journeys.

Highways England is advising drivers of the resources on offer to help them arrive at their destinations safely; it includes advice about driving on smart motorways where signs and signals are used to help ease the flow of traffic to improve journeys.

Jim O’Sullivan, Highways England Chief Executive said: “Safety is our top priority and we want people who are setting off on summer holidays to arrive at their destinations safely.

“With schools breaking up in July many people will set off on long journeys on unfamiliar roads. Many of those journeys will be on smart motorways.

“We want to be sure that drivers understand the signs and signals and know exactly what to do if their vehicle breaks down. We also urge drivers to ensure their vehicles are in good shape for the journeys before they set out - to help them get to their destinations safely.”

• Never drive in a lane closed by a red “X” – the sign is there to protect road users or road workers in the lane ahead; you will put them at risk of danger if you drive in the lane
• All speed limits displayed in red rings are legally enforceable
• A solid white line indicates the hard shoulder - don’t drive in it unless directed
• A broken white line indicates a normal running lane
• If you have a problem with your vehicle, eg a warning light comes on, exit the smart motorway as soon as possible, at the next slip road or at a service area
• Use the refuge areas for emergencies if there’s no hard shoulder 
• If you break down put your hazard lights on, use your mobile to call the police on 999 and tell the operator you’re on the motorway
• Don’t get out of your vehicle if you break down in a live lane; Highways England will set overhead signs and close the lane with a red X to help keep traffic away from you. They will also send the police or a traffic officer to help you

Smart motorways now operate on 236 miles of the M25, M1, M42/M40, M20, M6, M62 and M4/M5. They reduce congestion and improve journey time reliability by making the hard shoulder available as a traffic lane and using variable speed limits to smooth traffic flow.