'Pit-stops' plea for M-Ways

Thousands of crashproof "pit-stops" should be built alongside every British motorway to prevent stranded motorists being mown down by other vehicles, the AA demanded today.

The motoring organisation called for the refuges after new figures revealed that one in nine motorway deaths occurred on the hard shoulder.

Each year nearly 20 people are killed as they stop at the side of the motorway. A further 230 drivers and passengers are injured. Sir Brian Shaw, chairman of the AA motoring policy committee, said "safe havens" should be built at regular intervals along the hard shoulder, allowing vehicles to be temporarily parked behind strong safety fencing.

He said the havens would be a "practical and low cost solution".