Emergency refuge areas (ERAs) are one of the most important features on motorways. More commonly known simply as ‘emergency areas’.
They are designed to act as a stopping point and a safe haven for drivers who have broken down or are involved in an accident on a smart motorway.
They were introduced to replace hard shoulders on all-lane running (ALR) and dynamic hard shoulder motorways. This allows the hard shoulder to become an active lane, with the goal of easing congestion without having to build entirely new carriageways.
This blog will cover everything you need to know about emergency refuge areas, how you can spot and properly use them, how to rejoin the motorway afterwards, and what to do if you can’t make it to one.
How to spot and use an emergency refuge area?
ERAs are marked with large blue signs along with an orange SOS phone symbol. These road markings are done to ensure they are visible from a distance and when travelling at high speed.
The roads themselves have bright orange tarmac with arrows guiding you into the stopping zone, should you need to use one.
If you do, pulling completely into the lay- by and switching on your hazards will indicate to other drivers that this emergency area is in operation.
From there, the process is the same as that of the hard shoulder. You need to leave your vehicle via the passenger side door(s) and stand behind the crash barrier.
You then need to use the SOS emergency box, which will connect you directly to National Highways.
When can you use an emergency refuge area?
A refuge area can only be used for breakdowns and genuine emergencies.
This also covers medical emergencies, or severe safety issues with the vehicle such as a critical warning light or tyre blowout.
Using an ERA for any other reason (e.g. to check your phone or to rest) is illegal and extremely dangerous.
Stopping in an emergency area for a reason such as this is monitored by CCTV. You can typically expect to face a £100 fine and three points on your licence.
Pulling into an ERA to check your phone carries a different penalty, with a £200 fine being issued and six points on your licence.
How to rejoin the motorway safely
Rejoining the motorway from an emergency refuge area is tricky. The lay-bys themselves are only around 100 metres long, so you’re not able to build up speed and rejoin like you would on the hard shoulder.
You should never attempt to pull directly into the moving track on your own, as you’re putting yourself and other drivers on the motorway in immediate danger.
Instead, use the SOS telephone before making any attempt to move, as they can issue a red X over the overhead gantries, or, if necessary, dispatch a National Highways traffic officer to physically hold traffic and assist you out.
If you attempt to pull out of the layby without the permission of a National Highways officer, you put yourself at risk of facing careless driving charges and a potential driving ban.
What to do if you can’t make it to an emergency refuge area?
If you can’t reach the nearest emergency refuge area, here are the necessary steps to follow:
- Move onto the verge if there is no safety barrier, and it’s safe to do so.
- Turn on your hazards to indicate to drivers that you’ve broken down or stopped.
- If you’ve stopped in the nearside lane, then exit your vehicle using the passenger-side door (if it’s safe to do so) and then wait behind the safety barrier (if there is one)
But what if you’re unable to pull to a nearside lane and you find yourself broken down in an active lane?
As one of the most dangerous scenarios on the motorway, it’s crucial that you follow the necessary steps below to ensure you don’t put yourself, or anyone else, in any danger:
- Keep your seatbelt on. It’s imperative that you do not attempt to leave your vehicle.
- Use your hazards and keep them on
- If you have a mobile and it’s safe to use it, dial 999.
- An SVD (Stopped Vehicle Detection) radar and/or National Highways can trigger a red ‘X’ above the lane.
- National Highways traffic officers or emergency services can then reach your vehicle and tow it away safely.
Where can you find an emergency refuge area?
Emergency areas are located on smart motorways where the hard shoulder has been turned into an extra active lane.
Originally designed to be 1.5 miles apart, they’re now around ¾ to 1 mile apart due to safety concerns and government review.
They are widely distributed throughout the UK, and you can find them on busy motorways such as the M1, M4, and M5.
Why have emergency refuge areas been introduced?
Emergency refuge areas are quickly becoming increasingly common on British motorways.
With over £390 million in funding, they’re designed to increase motorway capacity without creating extra lanes through additional (and much pricier) expense.
Although the government cancelled new smart motorway schemes in 2023, over 150 new emergency refuge areas are still being added to existing smart motorways and all remain fully operational.
For motorway users, it’s important to note that emergency refuge areas are a new and important part of your driving, so understanding how they work is massively important.
Knowing how to spot one, use it, and the rules behind rejoining traffic could make all the difference.
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