What happens if you drive in the hard shoulder?
In most circumstances, driving on the hard shoulder is illegal and will see you penalised by the police. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule. If you’re directed to use the hard shoulder by a traffic police officer or Highways Agency patrol officer then it is acceptable to drive on the hard shoulder.
Can you stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway?
You MUST NOT stop on any carriageway, emergency area, hard shoulder, slip road, central reservation or verge except in an emergency, or when told to do so by the police, traffic officers, an emergency sign or by red flashing light signals.
Are there cameras on the hard shoulder?
The system is integrated with third-party systems, such as cameras. If configured, the system can automatically take control of cameras. Operators can use the ClearWay data as well as video images, to make accurate decisions on opening or closing lanes, or changing speed limits.
Can you sit in your car on the hard shoulder?
This is safest position and avoids any flying debris if a target fixated driver strikes your vehicle. The hard shoulder is an extremely unsafe place to carry out repairs yourself and attempting to use a reflective triangle will put you at even greater risk – so don’t do either.
Can you drive on the hard shoulder on a smart motorway?
If there is a hard shoulder on a motorway, you can use it to stop in an emergency only. If you can, get behind the safety barrier and away from your vehicle and moving traffic.
Is it legal to pull over on the hard shoulder?
It is illegal to stop on a hard shoulder if there is no emergency. “Where the hard shoulder is used as an additional traffic lane at peak times, you can only drive on it if there is a speed limit over it. When a red X is displayed over any lane, it’s simple – don’t drive on it.”
How long can you stay on the hard shoulder?
The hard shoulder: A narrow emergency lane along the left of a motorway, separated by a solid white line. Most deaths on the hard shoulder happen within 30 minutes of the driver pulling over. Using this part of the motorway should be an absolute last resort, for a breakdown or emergency.
How many points is a hard shoulder?
three
Highway Code Inappropriate use of the hard shoulder is an offence under motorway traffic regulations and incurs up to a £60 fine and three penalty points.
When can you use a hard shoulder on the motorway?
You should only use the hard shoulder if you have an emergency breakdown and are unable to drive off the motorway at the next junction. A red X closes a lane of the motorway. When this signal is above a motorway lane you must not use this lane.
Is there a speed limit on the hard shoulder?
Follow the signs and speed limits; they are there for your safety and the safety of other road users. The hard shoulder is opened to provide extra road space at peak times and is an additional motorway lane when active. Speed limits are mandatory and will be enforced by the police.
What is the speed limit on the hard shoulder?
The section of the M42 motorway under Active Traffic Management has a new speed limit of 60mph. The system runs between junctions 3A and 7 of the M42 and allows motorists to use the hard shoulder at peak times to cut congestion.
What happens if you use the hard shoulder on a motorway?
Inappropriate use of the hard shoulder, a charge which includes illegally using it as a traffic lane, will see offenders hit by a £100 fine and 3 points on their licence. Get covered when driving in Europe from just £7. Plus, get a full refund if Covid-19 restrictions prevent travel.† What is a smart motorway?
Can you use the hard shoulder as a running lane?
Explanation: You must obey mandatory speed-limit signs above motorway lanes, including the hard shoulder. In this case, you can use the hard shoulder as a running lane but you should look for any vehicles that may have broken down and may be blocking the hard shoulder. ← You’re on a three-lane motorway.
What do the road markings on the hard shoulder mean?
The hard shoulder is usually demarcated by road markings in the form of a single dashed yellow line with the addition of yellow cat’s eyes. On motorways, and at critical points on other routes (e.g. between junctions or interchanges, or beneath overpasses) a solid yellow line is used, denoting additional restrictions on usage of the hard shoulder.
What is the shoulder of a motorway called?
The ‘shoulder’ of a road is the land to the edge of the road. On most roads without pavements, the shoulder is a strip of grass or a hedgerow. This is known as a ‘soft shoulder’. On a motorway, this strip of land is hardstanding, hence the name ‘hard shoulder.’