Hands-free driving on UK motorways next year threatens lives, say experts

The Government’s plan to allow hands-free motoring on Britain’s motorways as early as spring next year have been criticised following a safety review of the technology being proposed. Ministers are due to close a consultation next week that could legalise the use of Automated Lane Keeping Systems (ALKS) that allows drivers to take their hands … Read more

Roads chief who built ‘death trap’ smart motorways pocketed £487,500 last year

Roads chief who built ‘death trap’ smart motorways pocketed £487,500 last year… including a £75,000 bonus for good performance  Jim O’Sullivan got £487,500 last year, becoming one of Britain’s top-paid civil cervants  He oversaw the building of smart motorways, which police leaders called ‘death traps’, after  38 people died  in the past five years He resigned last … Read more

Roads boss who oversaw ‘death trap’ smart motorways quits his £456,000 job at Highways England 

Roads boss who oversaw ‘death trap’ smart motorways quits his £456,000 job at Highways England Jim O’Sullivan played down the risks posed by controversial smart motorways  Mr O’Sullivan, a top paid civil servant, was awarded a £54,000 pay rise last year He caused fury last year when he rejected calls to pause the £1.6billion programme, … Read more

Ministers plan SEVEN new smart motorways despite concerns over their safety

England is to get at least seven new smart motorways as part of a £27billilon package of improvements to the country’s roads, according to reports today. Highways England is to set out its five year plan of major road improvements later today, according to The Times. The plans, which were partly released back in March, … Read more

Five ways UK motorways are set to change in the coming years

Installing overhead charging cables to power fleets of electric lorries would almost entirely eliminate UK road freight transport emissions by the late 2030s, according to a new government-funded report published this month. The Centre for Sustainable Road Freight’s white paper on ‘e-highways’ said they would cost an estimated £19.3billion to implement the overhead lines, similar … Read more

UK motorways packed as school holidays start on hot weekend

Motorways ‘currently look like a cross between a caravan and boat show’, police have said as millions hit the roads as the official school holidays begin for many families. The busy roads heading southbound towards Cornwall, South Devon and Plymouth are pilling up with traffic ahead of the weekend, as many families set off on … Read more

Smart motorways have led to a RISE in serious crashes, data reveals

Smart motorways have led to a RISE in serious crashes, Highways England data reveals with one stretch going from single crash in a year to SIX after hard shoulder was removed Smart motorways have had the hard shoulder removed to increase lane capacity  They instead feature emergency refuge areas up to two-and-a-half miles apart Transport … Read more

BBC criticise Panorama after reporter takes hands off steering wheel for ‘Killer Motorways’ episode

Panorama is criticised by BBC bosses after reporter took BOTH hands off the steering wheel during episode about ‘Britain’s Killer Motorways’ BBC upheld complaint against Panorama after presenter took hands off wheel  Viewers said reporter Richard Bilton gave a ‘bad example of driving’ on show Programme, aired on 27 January, found to have breached the … Read more

Britain’s dead motorways: M1, M3, M6 and other motorways empty, but parks and beaches are still busy

Britain’s dead motorways: Barely a car can be seen on country’s busiest roads as coronavirus lockdown takes hold and day-trippers stick to beaches and parks near home Britain’s motorways are empty as the country comes to the end of week one of the coronavirus lockdown  Motorways in Nottingham, Worcestershire and Fleet, near London, are all … Read more

Smart motorways will FINALLY get an overhaul

Smart motorways will FINALLY get an overhaul with a £1.6bn action plan, after ministers admitted they aren’t as safe as they should be 18-point action plan will recommend sweeping changes to dangerous roads   The report today highlighted 44 smart motorway-related deaths since 2015  Smart motorways see hard shoulders repurposed to ease congestion   Coronavirus symptoms: what … Read more