AA calls for return of the hard shoulder on smart motorways

National Highways report shows a rise in accident rates in some places, as many motorway drivers tell AA they feel less safe than three years ago

- Tom Jervis Thomas

THE AA is campaigning for the reinstatement of hard shoulders to so-called 'smart motorways' with all-lane running, following the release of National Highways data that points to some roads having higher 'killed and seriously injured' (KSI) accident rates than before the hard shoulder was taken away.

All-lane running was introduced on British motorways in 2014 and has been highly controversial ever since, with some drivers fearing the consequences of breaking down on fast-moving, crowded roads with nowhere to escape the traffic.