Drivers given smart motorway warning as £100 fines being handed out

A new study has revealed that a third of drivers are nervous about smart motorways - with experts now urging motorists to stay safe and aware on the roads

Jordan Coussins 13:54, 06 Jul 2025

Vehicles pass along a recently completed section of the M4 smart motorway on 19 April 2023 in Slough, United Kingdom. The government has announced the cancellation of all new smart motorways due to cost and safety concerns but it faces growing calls to reinstate hard shoulders on existing smart motorways in spite of a previously announced safety refit. (photo by Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty Images)

UK drivers are steering clear of smart motorways(Image: Mark Kerrison, In Pictures via Getty Images)

UK drivers [1] are steering clear of smart motorways due to new traffic measures potentially hitting their wallets with a GBP100 fine, as well as concerns stemming from the removal of hard shoulders.

A new study has unveiled that one-third of motorists hold reservations about using smart motorways, leading safety specialists to offer advice on how best to navigate these modernised roads.

Their recommendations highlight important practices such as adhering to warning signs, observing speed limits [2], ensuring cars are in prime condition, and learning how to properly use emergency refuge areas. Authorities have also examined the most common questions regarding smart motorways, analysing Google search data to identify the queries troubling UK road users.

Smart motorways feature advanced traffic management systems designed to ease congestion, increase capacity, and improve overall traffic flow. By utilising a variety of active traffic management strategies, such as adjustable speed limits and sometimes converting the hard shoulder into an additional lane, these motorways aim to prevent vehicles from clustering too closely together, reports Birmingham Live [3].

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Data from Google reveals that "What is a smart motorway" garners 1,900 searches a month, while "How do smart motorways prevent traffic bunching?" accrues 720 searches monthly. The statistics suggest that a substantial portion of motorists remain ill-informed about how these high-tech systems operate, despite the increasing incorporation of smart motorways into the UK's motorway network.

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A red X or directional arrow indicates that the lane is out of bounds, and drivers should vacate it as soon as it's safe to do so.

ChoiceQuote, a specialist insurance broker, has warned motorists to change lanes before they pass the X sign, as persisting in a closed lane could result in a GBP100 fine and three penalty points.

The insurance expert emphasised the importance of remaining vigilant to all warning signs whilst driving, particularly on smart motorways.

References

^ drivers (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
^ speed limits (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
^ Birmingham Live (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
^ you can sign up to receive it here (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)