Safety on the Hard Shoulder: Motorway Safety
29 April
The hard shoulder on a motorway is there to provide motorists having severe car problems with a place to stop and seek help.
The hard shoulder is considered to be a very dangerous place, especially when you need to exit your car in order to call for help. If you have no choice but to use the hard shoulder, then knowing how to do so safely is extremely important.
To protect any passengers, other drivers and you, following the rules is crucial.
When to use the hard shoulder:
It is only suitable to use the hard shoulder in an emergency and when you have no other option available. Using the hard shoulder is only permitted in three circumstances:
- If your car has broken down- If you are having significant car problems and are posing an imminent danger to yourself or other drivers then you are permitted to pull onto the hard shoulder if possible.
- The police have indicated for you to pull over- If a police vehicle has directed for you to pull over, for any reason, then you must pull on to the hard shoulder as soon as it is safe to do so.
- If there is an emergency- If there is a prominent problem with your car and you feel you are unable to continue driving then you are allowed to use the hard shoulder.
The hard shoulder is designed for emergencies only so it is advised that if you are able to continue driving you should stay on the motorway until you reach the next service station and exit there to seek help instead.