A driving instructor has lashed out over smart motorways after an investigation revealed almost 1,000 motorists were put in danger on one stretch of the M25.

Smart motorways have been the subject of criticism since they were introduced as they do not have a hard shoulder - this is replaced with an extra running lane in a bid to ease traffic congestion.

Alison Saggars, a driving instructor from Bushey, says having an extra live lane of traffic instead of one to stop in is only causing more danger to motorists on smart motorways.

She says this is because most refuge points for motorists to stop at are spaced over a mile apart, meaning that breakdowns are leaving motorists stranded in live lanes of fast-moving traffic.

BBC’s Panorama programme revealed earlier this week that on one section of the M25 outside London, there were 1,485 near misses since the hard shoulder was removed in April 2014.

The BBC also found that one warning sign on the same stretch of the M25 had been out of action for 336 days.

Mrs Saggars, a regular user of the smart motorway on the M25, said: "I have always been very concerned about the safety of these roads.

“It is madness to take away the hard shoulder; it makes it so dangerous, not only for anyone who breaks down, but also the traffic trying to avoid an unexpected obstacle in their lane.”

In the last five years 38 people have been killed on smart motorways, according to data obtained by the BBC through a freedom of information request. 

Recently Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told the House of Commons that no new smart motorways will be opened until a safety review is completed by the Government.

Mrs Saggars welcomed the decision, saying she was “delighted” that the Government is making a stand.

She also offered her advice on what motorists should do if they have a problem while driving on a smart motorway.

She said: “If you are unlucky enough to have a problem with your vehicle but it is still driveable, do not stop. Keep going until the next refuge.

“Your life is more important than damaging the car.”

But she added that people who are left stranded with an undriveable vehicle on smart motorways are “not left with a lot of options”.

However, Mrs Saggars said: “If you are in lane one, get everyone out of the nearside doors, behind the barrier and at least 20-30 metres behind the car. If you are in the lane next to the central reservation, consider trying to get out of the car and in between the barriers, again 20-30 metres behind the car.

“It may not be possible and is still extremely dangerous but you are balancing the risk between that and sitting in the stationary car in the fast lane.

“If there is no way you can move, particularly if in the middle lanes, keep your seat belt on, switch on the hazard lights, fog lights and any other lights that are working and sound your horn repeatedly. Call 999 immediately.”

Hemel Hempstead MP and former transport secretary Sir Mike Penning said he was “thrilled” that the BBC had highlighted the dangers of smart motorways.

He said: “We need to make these smart motorways safe and by doing that, going forward lives will be saved.

“For example we need there to be more refuge areas for motorists to be able to park when they have a problem.

“We should also be putting smart motorways into the highway code. There is currently nothing about them in there.”