The facts:

• The Government has pledged to reduce traffic congestion in its 10-year transport plan, set out in 2000 and reasserted in 2004’s ‘The Future of Transport’ white paper
• It has proposed the use of designated lanes to give priority to particular vehicles. Although common in urban centres (i.e.bus lanes), such lanes aren’t usually available on motorways
• The introduction of high occupancy vehicles (HOV) or carpool lanes would reduce the carriageway available to other road users and could delay breakdown and recovery organisations unless they are granted special access
• The first motorway car-sharing lane in the UK, on the M606/M62 in West Yorkshire, is expected to be fully operational in Spring 2008

RAC position:

• RAC is not opposed in principle to designated lanes but does feel that every proposal should be individually considered on its merits
• RAC also believes that the impact on other road users needs to be carefully evaluated
• RAC is seeking unrestricted access to all designated lanes for patrols attending a breakdown. Such access would facilitate swift response times, minimising traffic congestion caused by accidents and helping traffic to run more smoothly

For further information contact:

Telephone: 01603 681914
jon.day@aviva.co.uk

Updated August 2007

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