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An Egertons service van on a motorway hard shoulder as a technician repairs a car.

Practical tips

Broken down on a smart motorway – what should I do?

Breaking down on a smart motorway

What’s changed, and what to do

Smart motorways have been one of the most talked-about changes to UK roads in years. Many drivers worry about what happens if they break down on a stretch with no hard shoulder. So here’s a clear look at what smart motorways are, where things stand now and – most importantly – what to do if you get into trouble on one.

What is a smart motorway?

Smart motorways use technology to manage traffic flow, with overhead gantries showing speed limits and lane closures. There are three main types:

  • Controlled motorways keep a permanent hard shoulder but use variable speed limits.

  • Dynamic hard shoulder motorways open the hard shoulder as an extra lane at busy times.

  • All-lane running motorways have no hard shoulder at all. Instead, there are emergency areas at regular intervals.

Lorries on a motorway at sunset beside an overhead gantry.

Why drivers are worried

Motorways are actually some of the safest roads in the UK. But losing the hard shoulder worries drivers, because a vehicle that stops in a live lane can be left exposed to fast-moving traffic, and emergency services may find it harder to get through.

What’s changed

In April 2023, the government cancelled all plans for new smart motorways. Work has continued to make existing ones safer, including adding more emergency areas, upgrading stopped vehicle detection technology and making emergency areas more visible with bright orange surfaces and clearer signs.

If you break down on a smart motorway

National Highways’ advice is to go left:

  1. Move left. If your vehicle has a problem, try to get to an emergency area, motorway services or leave at the next junction. If you can, get onto the hard shoulder if there is one.

  2. Put your hazard lights on as soon as you have a problem.

  3. If you can’t get off the live lane, keep your seatbelt on, hazards on and call 999 straight away.

  4. If it’s safe to get out, leave by the left-hand door, get behind the safety barrier and keep well away from moving traffic.

  5. In an emergency area, call National Highways using the emergency phone, or on 0300 123 5000, so they can close lanes if needed.

One more step for fleet drivers

Once you’re safe, call your recovery provider. Tell them you’re on a smart motorway, where you are (the marker posts and emergency area numbers help), and what’s happened.

We’ll send the right vehicle to clear you from the motorway as quickly and safely as possible – and if we can fix the problem once you’re somewhere safe, we will.

Broken down? Get somewhere safe, then call us. We’ll be right there.

Whatever you need, we’ve got you covered.

Whether you need a recovery right now, a quote for a specialist job, or a fleet partner you can rely on – tell us what you need and we’ll come right back to you.

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