OK so heres how I use the smart motorway, this may not be everyones cup of tea but as pro / vocational drivers / steering wheel attendants we need to set an example, who knows others may follow.
Right providing the smart motorway is active (speed limit sign over it) and theres not a red X or no markings over it or any other indication its not live we can begin.
First thing to do is check mirrors and indicate left and carefully move over to the left whilst continually checking mirrors as you do so.
Top tip for indicator use: Indicators are a flashing amber light that signals what you would like to do or even intend to do they should not be used to indicate what you are in the process of doing, have just done, will do regardless or did a few seconds ago. A left right flash is acceptabel as a thanks / apology but best left for big trucks to get creative with.
So here we are on the live hard shoulder and tootling along off CC (important this), and we may even be at a faster speed than other traffic but try and avoid undertaking just yet whilst everyone else works it out.
A few minutes pass and we notice our lane as the quietest one means we are gaining on other traffic to pass them on the nearside, quite acceptable to perform this manouvre but with extra caution as theres some drivers who feel being undertaken is akin to them having their masculinity removed and will try and defend it by moving over a bit. Now relax and let them in as they may just be realising the live hard shoulder is a better option than looking like a silly girl lane hogging.
Now after a while of intense forward planning and viewing the road ahead we may notce the signs above us warn of an upcoming junction for HS use only. No problem just plan ahead - if its safe to do so move seamlessly into lane 1, indicating first of course.
If more likely traffic is heavy use the indicator tips given earlier to signal your intent, be wary of vehicles you have recently passed on the nearside that may object to this in which case pick 2-3 cars and start indicating as the first one is approaching your trailer but hold station as this car will usually carry on past (this is what we want, ideally they will pick up pace increasing the gap) but he isn’t our target its the next one following who seeing your indication may let you in (due to the thinking time we have given them), don’t worry if they dont the next one will or theres a few little things we can do to make our intent a little more aggressive. Of course be mindfull of dashcam stardom so ensure any aggresion shown is minimul and be ready to thank those that have let you in afterwards.
What you want to avoid at all costs is looking like a bully truck driver and causing a collision and the paperwork hassle that follows. Don’t be afraid to cancel your indicators and try again shortly afterwards as there is a danger of too long indication leads to a sheep mentality and vehicles carry on streaming past as they think you have forgot to switch them off. Its not personal so don’t panic.
If after passing the junction the HS is live again simply start the whole process again.
Don’t be a dummy use the smart motorway.
Tip:
- A smart motorway lane is there to spread the traffic and inrease the volume, dont treat it as a licence to go like the clappers as soon as its active.
- Be on the look out for broken down vehicles and even vehicles in the proccess of breaking down needing to come over.
- Also be on the look out for obstructions: debris, straps and ratchets, bits of wood, people…
- Only pass on the nearside if its safe to do so, you may need these folks help to move over later on.
- When rejoining lane 1 don’t leave it till the last minute- usually planning the lane change when you see the first ‘HS for Junction so & so’ is fine.
- Last resort this and very rare but don’t panic if traffic is coming to a halt and you are unable to move over simply come off at the next exit and rejoin (frowned upon a bit but safer than obstructing the lane trying to join a much slower lane).
- If you don’t feel comfortable using the smart motorway then sit in lane 1 but don’t cry on the internet about it afterwards.
