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<p>The Government continues to monitor and evaluate the safety performance of all
our roads. Following the publication of the <em>Smart Motorway Safety Evidence Stocktake
and Action Plan</em> in March 2020, Highways England published the first-year progress
report in April of this year.</p><p> </p><p>The report demonstrates the significant
progress that has been made against the 18 Stocktake actions. The data contained in
the progress report confirms that, on average, fatal casualty rates are lower on All
Lane Running (ALR) motorways compared with conventional ones.</p><p> </p><p>Highways
England is accelerating safety improvements to give reassurance to motorists on ALR
motorways. By the end of September 2022, it will: install technology on all existing
stretches of ALR motorway to spot stopped or broken-down vehicles quickly, six months
earlier than planned; upgrade special cameras ten months earlier than planned, so
that they can be used to spot; prosecute motorists ignoring ‘red X’ signs and illegally
driving down closed lane, putting themselves and others in danger; and install around
1,000 additional approach signs six months earlier than planned, alerting drivers
to their nearest place to stop in an emergency.</p><p /><p>Significantly, Highways
England has also made a commitment that no ALR motorways will open without the radar
technology to spot stopped vehicles, enable lanes to be closed where necessary and
get help to drivers quickly. Work to update The Highway Code to provide more guidance
about driving on ALR motorways has also been brought forward and is due to be published
this year ahead of schedule, subject to Parliamentary approval.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
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