Jamil Ahmed
15 Nov 2019 · Coroner James Bennett · Birmingham and Solihull
A similar concern from this report was raised again 2 times later. See the linked reports.
The coroner's concerns
1. stationary vehicle in running lane
“when a hard shoulder is used as a running lane”
2. inappropriate use of smart motorway
“not all stretches of motorway are necessarily appropriate for use as 'smart' motorways”
3. significant drop adjacent to hard shoulder
“the stretch of motorway in question was raised with a significant drop next to the hard shoulder”
Linked reports
Closely relatedConfidence 0.86 · high
This report
“the stretch of motorway in question was raised with a significant drop next to the hard shoulder”
Later report
“absence of a hard shoulder contributed to the collision. Had the [deceased's] vehicle been able to stop in a location other that a live lane”
Closely relatedConfidence 0.85 · high
This report
“when a hard shoulder is used as a running lane. Whilst any vehicle may break down on any road, in relation to motorways:”
Later report
“(1) On the date of the death the particular section of the M4 motorway was not completed as a smart motorway, but was substantially in course of conversion such that to all intents and purposes it had the intended characteristics of a smart motorway”
Responses
Response-from-Highways-England_Redacted.pdf ↗· National Highways
Stated action · early 2020 to March 2021
“assist. We will be repeating our information campaigns on using motorways in four waves between early 2020 and March 2021. These will be focused on 'what to do in a breakdown', Red X, keeping left and variable speed limits.”