Highways England has launched a new campaign advising drivers to ‘go left’ if they break down on the motorway.

The multi-million pound exercise is aimed at improving safety on smart motorways. It follows a review by the Transport Secretary last year.

Poptastic

The short information film is set to the tune of the Pet Shop Boys’ hit version of the ‘Go West’. The song has obviously been re-routed to sing ‘go left’ in a clear, single-minded message.

Highways England Acting Chief Executive, Nick Harris, said: “No one plans to break down on a motorway. But if the unexpected happens then I want all motorists to know what to do so that they can keep themselves and others safe.

“This new campaign and its ‘Go left’ message is designed to deliver crucial information in an accessible way and to help make motorways safer for the people who use them.”

Right on cue

The campaign is part of an 18-point action plan. This was set out in the Evidence Stocktake published by the DfT last year.

The Transport Secretary called on Highways England to deliver the campaign to improve safety and public confidence on smart motorways. However, recent events have rather overtaken the plans. Numerous negative press reports and comments about the safety of smart motorways have led to a new Transport Committee review. It is in direct response to calls for them to be scrapped.

Campaigners against Smart Motorways have labelled them as ‘death traps’. One coroner concluded that smart motorways ‘present an ongoing risk of future deaths’. Another has referred Highways England to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider if corporate manslaughter charges are appropriate.

Safety sense

Meera Naran is campaigning for Safer Drivers on Safer Roads following the death of her eight-year-old son on the M6. She said: “Having successfully campaigned for the implementation of the 18-point safety plan – this education campaign is an integral step in the right direction to support motorists.”

In 2019 there were almost 230,000 reported breakdowns across the Highways England network including around 207,500 on motorways. In the 12 months from June 2019, around 40,000 breakdowns were recorded as being due to tyre issues while more than 6,000 incidents were a result of vehicles running out of fuel.

Expert support

AA president, Edmund King OBE, added: “Motorway design has changed since many of us passed our test. It is vital to inform drivers what they should do in rare but worse-case scenarios.

“This welcome new campaign reminds drivers to ‘go left’ should their vehicles develop faults and if possible, get off the motorway. However, if they can’t, then they should head for the next emergency zone.

“Some breakdowns can be avoided completely. Drivers should take five minutes before setting off to ensure their tyres are inflated correctly, that they have enough fuel or electric charge and that engine fluids are topped up.”

RAC road safety spokesman Simon Williams said: “Suffering a breakdown on a motorway or a high-speed road can be one of the most terrifying things that drivers might encounter, so it’s important everyone has a clear understanding of what to do in that situation.

“We’re pleased to see Highways England addressing this issue in its new campaign which encourages drivers to ‘go left’. This is a simple and effective message that will hopefully improve safety on our motorways and major dual carriageways by reducing the number of vehicles that stop in live lanes.”

Watch the ad here.