OK, so just what is a sensible motorway?

We’re hearing a lot at the moment about so-known as ‘smart’ motorways.

So it might be a dumb question, but precisely what does that imply?

There’s a single argument that says, when it comes to roads, motorways are already fairly smart.

Right after all, they’re straight, they’re not punctuated by roundabouts and site visitors lights, and if you’re fortunate, they get you where you want faster than any other route.

And let’s not neglect that they are safer – motorists have fewer accidents on them than on other roads.

But now motorways are acquiring even cleverer.

Pioneering ‘smart’ technologies has been created to reduce congestion and ease site visitors flow, avoiding the want for expensive and frequently controversial road-widening schemes.

Smart moves

A ‘smart’ motorway scheme includes:

– converting the challenging shoulder into an extra lane to minimize targeted traffic jams

– installing far more cameras to enforce speed limits, and

– putting up new warning signs to let drivers know about impending hazards.

The first ‘smart’ scheme opened on an 8-mile section of the M25 in April final year. Additional sections, 1 on the southern element of the M25, and an additional on the northern section, are now also in operation.

Northern lights

But it’s not just the south-east of England which is benefiting from wise technology.

In the north, a 17-mile stretch of the ne2rk among Junction 8 of the M60 close to Sale and Junction 20 of the M62 close to Rochdale is getting upgraded to a intelligent motorway. Operate on the project will be completed by the autumn of 2017.

Related schemes are also being rolled out on the M1 and M3.

The tough shoulder is also being permanently converted into an additional lane on a 5-mile stretch of the M62 in between junctions 18 and 20 to support ease congestion.

Sign of the occasions

Once the modifications are completed, much more than 200 electronic indicators on the M60 and M62 will be in spot to warn drivers of targeted traffic incidents, adjustments in the mandatory speed limit and any lane closures.

There will also be much more CCTV cameras introduced to monitor visitors levels from the Highways Agency’s Regional Handle Centre at Newton-le-Willows in Merseyside.

Finally, there will be emergency ‘refuge’ locations available on the section of M62 which doesn’t have a tough shoulder. Overhead indicators will show a red ‘X’ indicating which lanes are shut in the course of incidents, permitting police, ambulance and fire solutions effortless access.

At-a-glance wise motorway golden rules

The Highways Agency has published a list of sensible motorway guidelines to support drivers adapt to the new motorways.

On a sensible motorway you must:

• in no way drive beneath a red “X”


• preserve to the speed limit shown on the gantries


• a solid white line indicates the tough shoulder – don’t drive in it unless directed.


• a broken white line indicates a standard operating lane


• use the refuge places for emergencies if there’s no tough shoulder


• place your hazard lights on if you break down.

Candid cameras

Most motorists welcome improvements to motorways – soon after all, any measures to support ease congestion are surely a excellent factor.

Even so, the scheme is not proving so popular with drivers who nudge over the 70mph speed limit and who are caught out by the new high-tech cameras which face each forwards and backwards.

In contrast to the usual yellow speed cameras, these cameras are grey, and able to track across 4 lanes rather than just 1.

It has been reported that on one particular section of the M25 in Kent, between junctions 5 and 6, 668 motorists have been caught in just 2 months following the cameras were turned on.

These drivers face at least £100 in fines, as properly as points on their licence.

Of these 668, 520 received tickets where the limit was set at precisely 70mph. This is in spite of the truth most motorists think they are permitted a margin of grace more than any speed limit – police don’t usually stop any person beneath 79mph.

And then there’s the expense of sensible motorways. The bill for these ‘stealth’ cameras alone apparently runs to £2.1m of taxpayers’ cash.

Understand far more

You can uncover out more about the improvement of intelligent motorways on the Highways Agency’s website. You can register on the web site to be kept informed about the news on the scheme.

OK, so just what is a sensible motorway?

OK, so just what is a sensible motorway?

We’re hearing a lot at the moment about so-named ‘smart’ motorways.

So it may well be a dumb question, but exactly what does that imply?

There’s 1 argument that says, when it comes to roads, motorways are already quite sensible.

After all, they’re straight, they’re not punctuated by roundabouts and traffic lights, and if you are fortunate, they get you exactly where you want quicker than any other route.

And let’s not overlook that they are safer – motorists have fewer accidents on them than on other roads.

But now motorways are obtaining even cleverer.

Pioneering ‘smart’ technology has been created to lessen congestion and ease visitors flow, avoiding the require for costly and usually controversial road-widening schemes.

Smart moves

A ‘smart’ motorway scheme includes:

– converting the difficult shoulder into an further lane to decrease visitors jams

– installing more cameras to enforce speed limits, and

– placing up new warning signs to let drivers know about impending hazards.

The 1st ‘smart’ scheme opened on an 8-mile section of the M25 in April last year. Additional sections, a single on the southern element of the M25, and an additional on the northern section, are now also in operation.

Northern lights

But it is not just the south-east of England which is benefiting from intelligent technologies.

In the north, a 17-mile stretch of the ne2rk amongst Junction 8 of the M60 near Sale and Junction 20 of the M62 close to Rochdale is getting upgraded to a intelligent motorway. Function on the project will be completed by the autumn of 2017.

Equivalent schemes are also being rolled out on the M1 and M3.

The challenging shoulder is also being permanently converted into an added lane on a 5-mile stretch of the M62 among junctions 18 and 20 to help ease congestion.

Sign of the times

Once the adjustments are completed, far more than 200 electronic indicators on the M60 and M62 will be in location to warn drivers of site visitors incidents, adjustments in the mandatory speed limit and any lane closures.

There will also be much more CCTV cameras introduced to monitor site visitors levels from the Highways Agency’s Regional Manage Centre at Newton-le-Willows in Merseyside.

Ultimately, there will be emergency ‘refuge’ places accessible on the section of M62 which doesn’t have a tough shoulder. Overhead indicators will display a red ‘X’ indicating which lanes are shut during incidents, permitting police, ambulance and fire services simple access.

At-a-glance sensible motorway golden guidelines

The Highways Agency has published a list of wise motorway rules to aid drivers adapt to the new motorways.

On a smart motorway you should:

• never ever drive under a red “X”


• keep to the speed limit shown on the gantries


• a strong white line indicates the hard shoulder – do not drive in it unless directed.


• a broken white line indicates a regular running lane


• use the refuge locations for emergencies if there’s no hard shoulder


• put your hazard lights on if you break down.

Candid cameras

Most motorists welcome improvements to motorways – right after all, any methods to aid ease congestion are surely a good issue.

Nevertheless, the scheme is not proving so popular with drivers who nudge more than the 70mph speed limit and who are caught out by the new high-tech cameras which face each forwards and backwards.

In contrast to the usual yellow speed cameras, these cameras are grey, and in a position to track across 4 lanes rather than just one.

It has been reported that on one section of the M25 in Kent, between junctions 5 and 6, 668 motorists have been caught in just 2 months right after the cameras were turned on.

These drivers face at least £100 in fines, as well as points on their licence.

Of these 668, 520 received tickets exactly where the limit was set at exactly 70mph. This is regardless of the fact most motorists think they are allowed a margin of grace more than any speed limit – police do not typically stop any person below 79mph.

And then there’s the cost of smart motorways. The bill for these ‘stealth’ cameras alone apparently runs to £2.1m of taxpayers’ cash.

Learn a lot more

You can uncover out a lot more about the development of intelligent motorways on the Highways Agency’s web site. You can register on the site to be kept informed about the news on the scheme.

OK, so just what is a sensible motorway?

Ford’s Driving Skills for Life Assists Teens Get Sensible About Driving

Their teenager’s first time behind the wheel is a scary prospect for most parents, and for excellent purpose. Auto accidents are not only the major cause of death for teenagers in the United States, but also worldwide. And in the U.S., drivers aged 16-19 are almost 3 times far more likely to be in a fatal crash than older drivers.

It stands to reason that teens face more risk on the road (and higher car insurance prices) than other drivers—after all, they have less encounter. But inexperience isn’t the only issue. New hazards, such as distractions by smartphones or other technology that might not be covered in classic drivers’ education courses also play a element. 

In response, Ford Motor Company and the Governors Highway Security Administration launched in 2003 the Driving Abilities for Life plan. By providing a supplement to the coaching courses students take at school or privately, the program aims to teach teens to drive more safely and reduce fatalities at residence and abroad. 

What are the basics? 

Driving Abilities for Life is produced up of each web-primarily based and hands-on (“ride-and-drive”) coaching modules, and addresses issues of inexperience and distraction that teen drivers encounter for the duration of their early days on the road. The program’s manager, Jim Graham, describes it as “the next step” following standard driver’s ed: “Driver’s ed teaches fundamental rules of the road and expertise like parallel parking. Driving Skills for Life teaches sophisticated driving capabilities, many of which are defensive.”

Graham also thinks there’s an added purpose, beyond easy chronology, for teens to sign up for DSFL soon after taking driver’s ed: “Research shows the majority of teen crashes occur correct soon after they get their licenses.” Ford hopes that continuing education can support cut these numbers. The program says it has educated 450,000 teens by means of the net-based curriculum and 30,000 in person. 

Who can participate? 

Driving Capabilities for Life is designed for new drivers and their support systems. While teens are the concentrate of DSFL, Ford and its partners recognize that they want aid from outside the system to create driving capabilities. The program’s internet site involves guidelines for educators who want to create secure driving into their curriculum. Graham notes that parents have an particularly important function to play, and not only when directing lessons in the passenger seat. “Parents are spending time with student drivers even after the course is more than, and they can be excellent or poor part models.”

Of course, parents are integral in teaching their kids protected driving, and DSFL’s website has instructional materials for them, as well. But Graham suggests they take a a lot more active role by setting a great instance and really participating in the system with their teens. Parents can join in on the web-primarily based modules and at hands-on trainings. They’re also encouraged to sign a protected-driving pledge, promising not to use their telephone although driving, among other precautions.

“Learning to drive is a lifelong procedure,” Graham adds. “The very best race-vehicle drivers in the globe nonetheless practice. You can usually get much better.”

Because the majority of the plan requires place online, drivers anywhere can sign up. Ford also arranges about 15 hands-on events in cities across the U.S. each and every year. Of course, not every single participant can discover a handy event, but Graham says that on the web trainings cover all of the very same material, just in a distinct way. Households can verify the program’s site for much more details.

The Governors Highway Safety Administration remains involved in the program, and tends to make it a lot more accessible to new drivers. The group’s communications director, Kara Macek, explains, “GHSA facilitates an annual grant plan by which states can incorporate elements of the DSFL program into their own activities.” It also helps facilitate hands-on events and publicity.

Even drivers overseas can get involved. DSFL now delivers in-person events in 15 nations. “Basically, we look at their demands,” says Graham. “In some nations, we supply a comparable program, sophisticated driver’s ed for young drivers. In other nations, exactly where older folks might be getting their 1st automobiles, we may well do a lot more basic material.”

Lastly, cost is by no means a barrier. Thanks to the support of sponsors, the program is fully free. 

What does the program consist of? 

Driving Skills for Life consists of 5 modules, addressing areas that Ford claims trigger 60% of car crashes. Each module involves net-primarily based curriculum and a quiz. If students are capable to attend, every single also has a hands-on component, which drivers can comprehensive throughout a 2-day session. Students practice their skills on a track with a group of peers and a trained instructor. A lot of instructors are former race-vehicle drivers or stuntmen and stun2men. 

In the first module, students discover to recognize hazards, such as left-hand turns and other possible sources of difficulty. They’ll also take into account vehicle handling, as well as speed and space management. Probably the most important—and scariest—element is the section on impaired and distracted driving. For the duration of the ride-and-drive event, students are asked to navigate a course even though wearing goggles that simulate a blood-alcohol level of .04, properly beneath the limit for legal drinkers, but nevertheless quite hard. “Students get a kick out of that one,” Graham says, but swiftly adds, “It does have a critical message.” 

How has the plan worked, and exactly where can it go from right here? 

While it is difficult to measure the effectiveness of Driving Expertise for Life in isolation, teen driving statistics are becoming much less grim. Over the last 10 years the number of teens dying in visitors accidents has dropped by half. Correct, technological innovations, such as blind-spot recognition and lane manage, have made cars safer, and DSFL is only a single of a lot of applications that encourage teens to make better alternatives behind the wheel. But as driver’s education applications are increasingly pulled from schools, Graham believes it will be up to public/private partnerships like DSFL to prepare new drivers for the road.

Macek thinks Driving Abilities for Life is up to the challenge: “Again and again, the system receives accolades from each teens and parents.”

Nonetheless, to expertise continued success, DSFL has to stay on the cutting edge. Graham predicts that wearable technology, like Google Glass, may possibly pose some of the program’s newest challenges in the coming years, as nicely as the growing legalization of marijuana.

Aside from its commitment to evolving with time, Graham credits the program’s positivity, along with its basic, direct spin on new material for its recognition. “We cannot manage everything they do once they leave,” he says, “but if they pick up a handful of skills from us, and it gets them out of a crash, that is wonderful.”

Teen driver image via Shutterstock.

Ford’s Driving Skills for Life Assists Teens Get Sensible About Driving

Ford’s Driving Skills for Life Aids Teens Get Sensible About Driving

Their teenager’s 1st time behind the wheel is a scary prospect for most parents, and for good reason. Auto accidents are not only the leading lead to of death for teenagers in the United States, but also worldwide. And in the U.S., drivers aged 16-19 are almost 3 times far more likely to be in a fatal crash than older drivers.

It stands to cause that teens face a lot more danger on the road (and larger auto insurance prices) than other drivers—after all, they have significantly less experience. But inexperience is not the only aspect. New hazards, such as distractions by smartphones or other technologies that may possibly not be covered in traditional drivers’ education courses also play a component. 

In response, Ford Motor Organization and the Governors Highway Security Administration launched in 2003 the Driving Capabilities for Life plan. By supplying a supplement to the coaching courses students take at school or privately, the program aims to teach teens to drive a lot more safely and decrease fatalities at residence and abroad. 

What are the fundamentals? 

Driving Abilities for Life is made up of each internet-primarily based and hands-on (“ride-and-drive”) education modules, and addresses concerns of inexperience and distraction that teen drivers encounter in the course of their early days on the road. The program’s manager, Jim Graham, describes it as “the subsequent step” soon after traditional driver’s ed: “Driver’s ed teaches basic rules of the road and skills like parallel parking. Driving Expertise for Life teaches advanced driving capabilities, numerous of which are defensive.”

Graham also thinks there’s an extra explanation, beyond basic chronology, for teens to sign up for DSFL soon after taking driver’s ed: “Research shows the majority of teen crashes take place right right after they get their licenses.” Ford hopes that continuing education can help reduce these numbers. The plan says it has educated 450,000 teens by way of the net-based curriculum and 30,000 in particular person. 

Who can participate? 

Driving Skills for Life is created for new drivers and their help systems. Whilst teens are the focus of DSFL, Ford and its partners recognize that they want assist from outside the plan to develop driving capabilities. The program’s internet site involves tips for educators who want to build protected driving into their curriculum. Graham notes that parents have an particularly important role to play, and not only when directing lessons in the passenger seat. “Parents are spending time with student drivers even right after the course is over, and they can be very good or bad function models.”

Of course, parents are integral in teaching their children safe driving, and DSFL’s web site has instructional components for them, also. But Graham suggests they take a far more active part by setting a excellent example and truly participating in the system with their teens. Parents can join in on the internet-based modules and at hands-on trainings. They’re also encouraged to sign a protected-driving pledge, promising not to use their telephone although driving, amongst other precautions.

“Learning to drive is a lifelong procedure,” Graham adds. “The very best race-car drivers in the planet nevertheless practice. You can always get much better.”

Due to the fact the majority of the system takes location on-line, drivers anyplace can sign up. Ford also arranges about 15 hands-on events in cities across the U.S. each and every year. Of course, not each participant can find a hassle-free occasion, but Graham says that on the web trainings cover all of the very same material, just in a distinct way. Households can check the program’s web site for much more data.

The Governors Highway Security Administration remains involved in the system, and makes it a lot more accessible to new drivers. The group’s communications director, Kara Macek, explains, “GHSA facilitates an annual grant program by which states can incorporate elements of the DSFL plan into their personal activities.” It also aids facilitate hands-on events and publicity.

Even drivers overseas can get involved. DSFL now provides in-individual events in 15 countries. “Basically, we appear at their requirements,” says Graham. “In some countries, we offer you a comparable program, advanced driver’s ed for young drivers. In other countries, exactly where older people might be acquiring their initial vehicles, we may possibly do far more simple material.”

Ultimately, cost is never ever a barrier. Thanks to the help of sponsors, the system is totally free. 

What does the program consist of? 

Driving Abilities for Life consists of 5 modules, addressing locations that Ford claims trigger 60% of automobile crashes. Each module includes net-primarily based curriculum and a quiz. If students are capable to attend, every single also has a hands-on component, which drivers can comprehensive throughout a 2-day session. Students practice their skills on a track with a group of peers and a trained instructor. Several instructors are former race-car drivers or stuntmen and stun2men. 

In the very first module, students understand to recognize hazards, such as left-hand turns and other achievable sources of trouble. They’ll also take into account automobile handling, as effectively as speed and space management. Possibly the most important—and scariest—element is the section on impaired and distracted driving. In the course of the ride-and-drive event, students are asked to navigate a course although wearing goggles that simulate a blood-alcohol level of .04, effectively beneath the limit for legal drinkers, but nonetheless very tough. “Students get a kick out of that a single,” Graham says, but rapidly adds, “It does have a severe message.” 

How has the system worked, and exactly where can it go from here? 

Although it is tough to measure the effectiveness of Driving Capabilities for Life in isolation, teen driving statistics are becoming much less grim. More than the last 10 years the quantity of teens dying in site visitors accidents has dropped by half. Correct, technological innovations, such as blind-spot recognition and lane control, have created vehicles safer, and DSFL is only one particular of numerous programs that encourage teens to make much better selections behind the wheel. But as driver’s education programs are increasingly pulled from schools, Graham believes it will be up to public/private partnerships like DSFL to prepare new drivers for the road.

Macek thinks Driving Capabilities for Life is up to the challenge: “Again and again, the plan receives accolades from each teens and parents.”

Nevertheless, to expertise continued accomplishment, DSFL has to stay on the cutting edge. Graham predicts that wearable technology, like Google Glass, might pose some of the program’s newest challenges in the coming years, as effectively as the rising legalization of marijuana.

Aside from its commitment to evolving with time, Graham credits the program’s positivity, along with its easy, direct spin on new material for its recognition. “We cannot control almost everything they do once they leave,” he says, “but if they pick up a couple of abilities from us, and it gets them out of a crash, that’s excellent.”

Teen driver image by way of Shutterstock.

Ford’s Driving Skills for Life Aids Teens Get Sensible About Driving