Smart Motorways "Confusing"

dannyrst

I can't really believe this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38563380

If you can't understand how to use them, you need to hand over your driving licence.

phoenix_w

I think the principle is sound but the implementation leaves a lot to be desired.

The bit that always bemuses me is just before M6 J9 southbound - the hard shoulder becomes closed off with a solid white line with no signed warning - cue motorists looking puzzled whether they should be there or not - then just as people think "I'm obviously driving on the hard shoulder when I shouldn't be" and move over into the carriageway, an illuminated sign tells you that you can use it to get off at J9 - cue half of the frustrated motorists moving back over so they can go get their goodies from Ikea.

Johno100

A very simple way to cut down on the number of drivers inadvertently using the hard shoulder on a smart motorway when it is closed - always have the X illuminated on the gantry when hard shoulder running is not in use.

dannyrst

Johno100 wrote: »

A very simple way to cut down on the number of drivers inadvertently using the hard shoulder on a smart motorway when it is closed - always have the X illuminated on the gantry when hard shoulder running is not in use.

No need. There are signs just as frequently saying "Hard shoulder for emergency use only". If you can't read and understand that, you shouldn't be driving.

unforeseen

Icons the annoying thing is seeing signs that say use hard shoulder. So you do then a sign say hard shoulder for junction x only.

M42/M6 come to mind. I have given using it because you can end up changing lanes like a yo-yo. It has become a lane to use ONLY if you are taking the next junction . It's not the intended purpose envisaged

securityguy

dannyrst wrote: »

No need. There are signs just as frequently saying "Hard shoulder for emergency use only". If you can't read and understand that, you shouldn't be driving.

But the hard shoulder isn't just for emergency use: when hard shoulder running is in progress, it's a standard running lane.

dannyrst

securityguy wrote: »

But the hard shoulder isn't just for emergency use: when hard shoulder running is in progress, it's a standard running lane.

Yeah, and those signs change to say "Congestion. Use hard shoulder". There is no point where it says not to use hard shoulder that you should use the hard shoulder, unless its an emergency.

GingerBob_3

The thing I find confusing about so-called "smart" motorways (main experience is on the M62) is that speed restrictions are often in place when traffic is very light. And at other times when speed restrictions are in place there's sometimes a massive build-up of queuing traffic. I get the impression they don't really work.

Richard53

When I learned to drive in the early 70s, it was drummed into all learners that the hard shoulder on a motorway was NEVER to be used EXCEPT in an emergency. That gave it a kind of special status. When using the hard shoulder as a running lane is acceptable in some circumstances, and this has legitimacy from the Police/authorities, then it is less of a mental leap to use it when it suits you.


Say there is slow or stopped traffic half a mile before a junction. Ten years ago, you hardly ever saw anyone use the hard shoulder as a short cut to the exit. Most people would have considered it as 'road-hoggery'. Now, you see it all the time. I don't think it's confusion over the signs; it's that people feel more comfortable disobeying a temporary sign than they do disobeying a long-standing prohibition.

Tigsteroonie

Richard53 wrote: »

Say there is slow or stopped traffic half a mile before a junction. Ten years ago, you hardly ever saw anyone use the hard shoulder as a short cut to the exit. Most people would have considered it as 'road-hoggery'. Now, you see it all the time. I don't think it's confusion over the signs; it's that people feel more comfortable disobeying a temporary sign than they do disobeying a long-standing prohibition.

And I suspect that the dumbing down of society has a part to play in this. Saying that the hard shoulder is for use in an emergency, used to be understood to mean breakdowns and emergency vehicles. Now people's desire to get somewhere fast / on time / without delay is considered an emergency, so they think it is acceptable to use the hard shoulder as an extended exit lane. ("But Strictly starts in 10 minutes, I have to get home, it's an emergency")

AdrianC

All you need to know about some drivers is...

Among the excuses given were drivers who claimed they were half on the hard shoulder and half in the first lane because it was the fastest route between two places.