Smart Motorways, a good idea or a Stupid one?

[slim]

Smart motorways are supposed to alleviate congestion at busy times.
Fantastic idea, use the hard shoulder as an extra lane.
Which brainiac thought of this?
The hard shoulder is supposed to be an fairly safe areq to pull into when you have a problem.
Even then the polce advice getting out of your car and going over the nearside barrier to keep safe.

Anyone got any thoughts on this?

 

[Alfacharlie]

M42 passing Birmingham airport down to the M40 interchange is shocking. The speed signs go from 60/40/50 then back to 60mph! Changing at every camera. Load of shite if you ask me.
AC

 

[WreckerL]

I don't have much experience of them to be honest, the M5 stops at Exeter.

 

[dapperdunn]

I drive the M1 4 times a week . Smart motorway. Since it's been installed, it's made a massive difference to my commute, for the better. The problem lies with idiot drivers who think the speed limit is a personal challenge. Or that they don't have to change lanes when told. Also, idiots who don't know what to do when you break down on the motorway.
Basically it's not the road, it's the drivers.
Don't believe everything you read in the Daily Mail.

 

[MCC is the place for me]

I drive the M1 4 times a week . Smart motorway. Since it's been installed, it's made a massive difference to my commute, for the better. The problem lies with idiot drivers who think the speed limit is a personal challenge. Or that they don't have to change lanes when told. Also, idiots who don't know what to do when you break down on the motorway.
Basically it's not the road, it's the drivers.
Don't believe everything you read in the Daily Mail.

I agree that it is not the road, its the drivers. However until all drivers understand how they are supposed to work and change their driving habits to abide by the smart motorway rules there are going to be many more accidents and loss of life.

 

[dapperdunn]

I agree that it is not the road, its the drivers. However until all drivers understand how they are supposed to work and change their driving habits to abide by the smart motorway rules there are going to be many more accidents and loss of life.

Everyone knows they are out there. Educate yourself before travelling on them.
TBH, its not that difficult. Obey the speed limit, move over when instructed, don't use a lane that is closed and if you have to pull over, get out of your car and get over the safety barrier.
Not rocket science really.

 

[slim]

Everyone knows they are out there. Educate yourself before travelling on them.
TBH, its not that difficult. Obey the speed limit, move over when instructed, don't use a lane that is closed and if you have to pull over, get out of your car and get over the safety barrier.
Not rocket science really.

What you are saying is correct. it aint rocket science. However there are an awful lot of idiots on our roads who seem incapable of driving in a sensible way

 

[WreckerL]

I think a lot of the motorway idiocy is down to not being taught it when learning to drive. I don't know if it's changed but you weren't allowed on to a motorway until you'd past your test.

I appreciate not everywhere has motorways though, such as the Highlands, Cornwall etc so not really feasible to include in a test.

 

[dapperdunn]

I don't know if it's changed but you weren't allowed on to a motorway until you'd past your test.

It has.

 

[slim]

Law changed last year:

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/learning-to-drive/learner-drivers-on-motorways/

 

[dapperdunn]

Watch as drivers flashed on M1 as police protect family in broken down car

The passengers included three children

www.derbytelegraph.co.uk

 

[Sumo]

I don't have much experience of them to be honest, the M5 stops at Exeter.

Don't venture north that often then?
Since working in Guzz 2011, I have been on the motorway less than a dozen times.
Twice for work to Brizzle
Mrs S thinks heavy traffic is waiting for the red light to change, she hates traffic .

The idea for variable speed roads is ok but when they are full of speed cameras and the speed changes all the time, one has to think is someone milking the cash cow.

 

[dapperdunn]

The idea for variable speed roads is ok but when they are full of speed cameras and the speed changes all the time, one has to think is someone milking the cash cow.

Drive within the speed limit and you won't get fined. It's really not that difficult. The signs are highly visible, more visible than a roadside sign that most people manage to obey on a daily basis.
Once you're in a managed motorway, be prepared for the speed limit to change.

 

[Sumo]

Drive within the speed limit and you won't get fined. It's really not that difficult. The signs are highly visible, more visible than a roadside sign that most people manage to obey on a daily basis.
Once you're in a managed motorway, be prepared for the speed limit to change.

we as to travel over 200 miles to find one of them managed roady things, as for @WreckerL a dual carriageway is the best he will get, them Kernow bods don't like to travel fast, Indian Queens used to be a good bottle neck, and well come to slow Kernow travel.

 

[huwshpis]

True dit. Heading South on M5 from Brizzle bound for Guzz, traffic all speeding, me doing 90 and a police car pulls up alongside. Observer signals with his hand to slow the pace a bit, so I did, they shot off into the future. Only then did I realise that my (Jersey) POLICE sign was visible inside my Landrover.

 

[Sumo]

True dit. Heading South on M5 from Brizzle bound for Guzz, traffic all speeding, me doing 90 and a police car pulls up alongside. Observer signals with his hand to slow the pace a bit, so I did, they shot off into the future. Only then did I realise that my (Jersey) POLICE sign was visible inside my Landrover.

Lucky lucky Barrister

 

[huwshpis]

Professional courtesy - even sharks have some friends.

 

[dapperdunn]

even sharks have some friends.

You're right, they do. Until they eat them.

 

[SONAR-BENDER]

True dit. Heading South on M5 from Brizzle bound for Guzz, traffic all speeding, me doing 90 and a police car pulls up alongside. Observer signals with his hand to slow the pace a bit, so I did, they shot off into the future. Only then did I realise that my (Jersey) POLICE sign was visible inside my Landrover.

WHAT?

90 in a Landy? Or is the Jersey limit in KPH now......

 

[Dredd]

How to drive on a smart motorway

How to drive safely and legally on England's smart motorways.

www.gov.uk

WHAT?

90 in a Landy? Or is the Jersey limit in KPH now......

Downhill. In neutral. With a favourable wind behind it. And it will have felt like atmospheric re-entry.