‘Britain’s so-called smart motorways have been branded a “death trap” by MPs in a report which has prompted criticism of Highways England.
Smart motorways transform the hard shoulder into another driving lane, leaving motorists who break down on parts of the M1, M4, M5, M6, M42 and M62, in the traffic.
The all-party Parliamentary group for roadside rescue and recovery’s report said the change was “shocking and careless” and had led to the deaths of road users.
Highways England had misled the public and authorities, Police Federation chairman John Apter told The Daily Telegraph.
“We were told the technology would be so advanced that if there was an obstruction the system would pick it up, help would be dispatched and the gantry would flash up a warning closing the affected lane,” he said.
“We … have been completely misled and a poor system has been introduced.”
Mr Apter said the roads should not be labelled “smart” because they “can be a death trap”.’
Read more: Smart motorways branded ‘death trap’ by MPs
