Brits risking £1,000 fine because they don’t understand smart motorways

CONFUSION over smart motorways is putting Brits at risk of being slapped with hefty fines.

Motorists left baffled by the new roads could be hit with penalties of up to £1,000 because they simply don't understand how they work.

Smart motorways have been installed across hundreds of miles and feature no hard shoulder and variable speed limits.

Red Xs are also used on overhead gantries to close lanes at certain times.

But continuing to drive in these - even if they're clear can land you with a £1,000 fine and six penalty points.

On-the-spot £100 penalty charge notices can be handed out but the fee can rise if the case goes to court for more serious offences.

And roads watchdog, Transport Focus, called on better education for drivers to stop them being caught out.

It said Highways England should do more to let drivers know what a red X means and what you should do if you breakdown on a stretch without a hard shoulder.

Emergency Refuge Areas (ERAs) are dotted every 2.5km on smart motorways for cars that become stranded.

These are now being painted orange to make them more visible to stricken drivers - but there are concerns they're being misused by some just needing to go to the toilet.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of Transport Focus, said: "What’s been missing until now is an understanding of how road users experience smart motorways.

"The message to Highways England is that many millions of drivers successfully use smart motorways, but there is more to do to improve their understanding of how they work and what you should do if you break down.

"Road users tend to trust that ‘the authorities’ would not allow motorways without a hard shoulder if it was unsafe.

"Highways England must remain vigilant that their trust is not misplaced."