manxie49 Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 (edited) I'm no expert but motorways with no hard shoulder have got to be dangerous! I wouldn't want to break down on one, unable to get to a "safe refuge". They appear to becoming more common place, I don't understand how the highways agency can say they are safer?? https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/smart-motorways-without-hard-shoulders-are-safer-claims-highways-england-despite-emergency-services-and-driving-groups-blasting-them-as-dangerous/ar-AADGDLp?li=AAnZ9Ug&ocid=mailsignout Edited July 2, 2019 by manxie49 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smithers Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 Not so smart motorways is nearer the mark. The only possible safety aspect would be the highways agency putting all the Thunderbirds on standby; Thunderbird 1 for rapid airlift to hospital, Thunderbird 2 for heavy lifting of accident debris. The IOM will now become Tracy Island Man with Brains overseeing all the logistical side of things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dynax Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 I wouldn't wish ill will on anyone, but i bet the bright sparks behind this, would change their opinion, if a loved one of theirs had a fatality, in between these so called refuge areas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackieOWheels Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 He said the need for hard shoulders had become redundant because modern cars are now fitted with technology that warns the driver when they're about to break down, giving them plenty of time to take action and exit a motorway.He also argued that vehicles are more reliable today than ever before and the chances of suffering a reliability issue are at an all time low.You gotta love the idiot for claiming this is the new norm when there is still loads of cars on the road that aren't anywhere near what we would call a "modern car". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six30 Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 You break down, if you can't reach one of the labys you come to a stop in a live lane of traffic , the lane which HGV's trundling along ...... move along no danger here Also if there is an accident and the road is blocked and all traffic and has come to a stop before you know it there is a 1 mile tail back .... don't worry the ambulance and fire engines will be at the scene to help the casualties in a few minutes , just fly up the hard shoulder that'll be clear ...... oh hang on.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyrider Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 looks like the motorway designers haven't thought it through Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winston smith Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 Well, in principle, the concept of "smart motorways" is ok.There are cameras every few hundred yards ( each camera is insight of the next ) which are monitored 24/7.Most, if not all, also have sensors that flag up abnormal traffic patterns, slow or stationary vehicles.Then the matrix signs display reduced speed limits, lane closures, warning messages etc. This is often instantaneous so I wonder if there is an automated system, or maybe the guys in the control room are really on the ball.So if people follow the guidance in large illuminated font in front of them all is good.The problems are caused by dickheads who ignore these signs (or don't see them cos they're busy texting)......Like the knob today on M5 - joining at J1 there's a red X on lane 1. while everyone is shuffling into lanes 2&3, I matched their speed in the centre of lane one waiting for a gap. Knob decides he's too important to follow the rules and squeezes past my nearside within 2-3 inches, and off down the closed lane until he reaches the HATO's coned taper, before pushing into lane2 . When I passed him a few seconds later the knob was chatting away on his phone without a care in the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winston smith Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 ...and just for the record I hate smart motorways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Richzx6r Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 Well, in principle, the concept of "smart motorways" is ok.There are cameras every few hundred yards ( each camera is insight of the next ) which are monitored 24/7.Most, if not all, also have sensors that flag up abnormal traffic patterns, slow or stationary vehicles.Then the matrix signs display reduced speed limits, lane closures, warning messages etc. This is often instantaneous so I wonder if there is an automated system, or maybe the guys in the control room are really on the ball.So if people follow the guidance in large illuminated font in front of them all is good.The problems are caused by dickheads who ignore these signs (or don't see them cos they're busy texting)......Like the knob today on M5 - joining at J1 there's a red X on lane 1. while everyone is shuffling into lanes 2&3, I matched their speed in the centre of lane one waiting for a gap. Knob decides he's too important to follow the rules and squeezes past my nearside within 2-3 inches, and off down the closed lane until he reaches the HATO's coned taper, before pushing into lane2 . When I passed him a few seconds later the knob was chatting away on his phone without a care in the world. Its twats like that who really do need taking off the road entirely....surely an m5 has bluetooth connection as standard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad93 Posted July 2, 2019 Share Posted July 2, 2019 If the idiots that managed them would remember to turn the 40/50mph speed limits off then they’d be alright.Every time I go up the m1 now it says 50mph even if there’s no danger around. Or ‘reports of pedestrian in road’ for 10 miles even though the pedestrian was 500 metres before the first sign saying it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winston smith Posted July 2, 2019 Share Posted July 2, 2019 Well, in principle, the concept of "smart motorways" is ok.There are cameras every few hundred yards ( each camera is insight of the next ) which are monitored 24/7.Most, if not all, also have sensors that flag up abnormal traffic patterns, slow or stationary vehicles.Then the matrix signs display reduced speed limits, lane closures, warning messages etc. This is often instantaneous so I wonder if there is an automated system, or maybe the guys in the control room are really on the ball.So if people follow the guidance in large illuminated font in front of them all is good.The problems are caused by dickheads who ignore these signs (or don't see them cos they're busy texting)......Like the knob today on M5 - joining at J1 there's a red X on lane 1. while everyone is shuffling into lanes 2&3, I matched their speed in the centre of lane one waiting for a gap. Knob decides he's too important to follow the rules and squeezes past my nearside within 2-3 inches, and off down the closed lane until he reaches the HATO's coned taper, before pushing into lane2 . When I passed him a few seconds later the knob was chatting away on his phone without a care in the world. Its twats like that who really do need taking off the road entirely....surely an m5 has bluetooth connection as standard Rich, it was M5 - the motorway, near West Brom. My bad, I didn't make that clear.The car was an Astra - tarted up to look like a vxr but probably just mid range diesel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Richzx6r Posted July 2, 2019 Share Posted July 2, 2019 Well, in principle, the concept of "smart motorways" is ok.There are cameras every few hundred yards ( each camera is insight of the next ) which are monitored 24/7.Most, if not all, also have sensors that flag up abnormal traffic patterns, slow or stationary vehicles.Then the matrix signs display reduced speed limits, lane closures, warning messages etc. This is often instantaneous so I wonder if there is an automated system, or maybe the guys in the control room are really on the ball.So if people follow the guidance in large illuminated font in front of them all is good.The problems are caused by dickheads who ignore these signs (or don't see them cos they're busy texting)......Like the knob today on M5 - joining at J1 there's a red X on lane 1. while everyone is shuffling into lanes 2&3, I matched their speed in the centre of lane one waiting for a gap. Knob decides he's too important to follow the rules and squeezes past my nearside within 2-3 inches, and off down the closed lane until he reaches the HATO's coned taper, before pushing into lane2 . When I passed him a few seconds later the knob was chatting away on his phone without a care in the world. Its twats like that who really do need taking off the road entirely....surely an m5 has bluetooth connection as standard Rich, it was M5 - the motorway, near West Brom. My bad, I didn't make that clear.The car was an Astra - tarted up to look like a vxr but probably just mid range diesel. Ahh ok lol maybe I should have looked better at the post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bianco2564 Posted July 2, 2019 Share Posted July 2, 2019 There is a smart section on the M1 between J16 Daventry and J19 M6 /A14, I have travelled along it many times.I also initially thought they were a ridiculous idea and was reluctant to use lane1.However the more I used it became less concerned and regularly drove along L1.If there were any incidents the appropriate lanes were closed well in advance.I guess they think vehicles are more reliable than 60 years ago and the risk is lower.We think nothing at driving along a dual carriageway, same 70mph speed limit and no hard shoulder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rennie Posted July 2, 2019 Share Posted July 2, 2019 I use them twice a day every day (that I work)I didn't think they'd work at first but actually they do!(most of the time) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winston smith Posted July 3, 2019 Share Posted July 3, 2019 I use them twice a day every day (that I work)I didn't think they'd work at first but actually they do!(most of the time) As much as I dislike them, I'm in complete agreement with you.People don't understand them or trust them or simply ignore the messages given, which is half the problem.There are still quite alot of road users that can't use a 3lane road properly, never mind adding extra or removing lanes as is required, the standards of motorway driving are sometimes so dire it puts everybody in danger..............bits that's a different rant altogether Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breadsnapper Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 Just a way to make money with the average speed cameras.M60 is now smart however it still has a 40 mph restriction at 11 on a Saturday night and other restrictions when there is no traffic. Load of tosh, refuge areas a joke. Tell you what rather than spend billions on these things how about improving public transport.Rant over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIKERDAD Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 The M4 near me has started in the last cupl years along Newport different speed limits and I used to drive that road 2 ton3 times a day for like 15 years and since these new speed restrictions are used iv never ever seen as much traffic jams in my life on that section All down to these stupid speed restrictions.. they say it's to help the environment BOLLOCKS the amount of emissions that must be pumping out every day at ever section that been slowed down must have halved the the fecking polar bears population .. every single traffic jam starts with these speed restrictions.. the ppl.who come up with this idea needs to the feckkng fed to the polar bears... .every part where is 70mph which every one is doing 80plus . Due to being stuck for the last hour .. is all clear and running .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manxie49 Posted July 11, 2019 Author Share Posted July 11, 2019 I think a leaf should be taken out of the German handbook, I've travelled along autobahns numerous times over the years and have never once hit a traffic jam, everything just flows. I don't know, maybe I've just been lucky or maybe they have the right idea when it comes to traffic management. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xMachina Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 They should concentrate less on making smart motorways and more on making smarter drivers if you ask me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manxie49 Posted July 11, 2019 Author Share Posted July 11, 2019 They should concentrate less on making smart motorways and more on making smarter drivers if you ask me! Can't argue with that one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rennie Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 I lived in Germany for 8/9 years!I've been in some bad jams on The Autobahn.Even when we went in the campervan last year we got stuck at least once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Fro Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 I lived in Germany for 8/9 years!I've been in some bad jams on The Autobahn.Even when we went in the campervan last year we got stuck at least once. Being in a campervan I'd be surprised if you weren't at the front of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Richzx6r Posted July 11, 2019 Share Posted July 11, 2019 I can never get my head around campervans or caravans.....I see them as scourge of the road Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIKERDAD Posted July 12, 2019 Share Posted July 12, 2019 Motorhomes are fantastic in say the USA here in the UK no fecking chance.. unless you want to spend a lot time say in the highlands of Scotland .but then you get shite weather .. iv been on 2 motorhomes trips to the US once LA .. 2an New York/Niagara falls and wow .. fantastic . Caravaners are nothing but wannabe pikeys to disrupt everyone else lives/day as much as they can .. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rennie Posted July 13, 2019 Share Posted July 13, 2019 We have a campervan and a caravan! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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