Question: Can You Walk On The Hard Shoulder?

What is the speed limit on the hard shoulder?

60mphThe 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 is the fine for using the hard shoulder?

Using the hard shoulder for any other reason is illegal and can see you hit with a £100 fine and three points on your licence. And if you cause an accident, you could be charged with careless driving which carries a £5,000 fine, up to nine penalty points and even a lengthy driving ban.

Can you use the hard shoulder?

In most cases there are only two legal uses for the hard shoulder – as a lane for emergency vehicles attending an incident and as a refuge for broken down vehicles.

Why is a hard shoulder called a hard shoulder?

The origin of the term comes from the very first motorways which had a gravel soft shoulder. These were found to be inadequate when heavy goods vehicles stopped on them and were later strengthened, thus becoming hard shoulders, though their construction was still weaker than that of the adjacent carriageway.

Why is the hard shoulder dangerous?

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.

What happens if you drive on the hard shoulder?

Firstly, the hard shoulder acts as a refuge for any broken-down vehicles safely away from the flow of traffic. Secondly, the hard shoulder doubles as an emergency lane, allowing emergency vehicles to bypass traffic and get to the scene of an accident.

What is the hard shoulder called in America?

British vs. American English: Transport TerminologyBritish English (BrE)American English (AmE)Dual carriage wayDivided highway/freewayGear stickStick shiftGive wayYieldHard shoulderShoulder22 more rows•Feb 3, 2013

What to do if there is no hard shoulder?

If your vehicle has a problem on a motorway with no hard shoulder: Move into the left hand lane and put your hazard lights on. Exit at the next junction or services OR.

Do smart motorways have hard shoulders?

A smart motorway is a section of a motorway that uses traffic management methods to increase capacity and reduce congestion in particularly busy areas. These methods include using the hard shoulder as a running lane and using variable speed limits to control the flow of traffic.

Are you allowed to stop on the hard shoulder?

You MUST NOT stop on the carriageway, hard shoulder, slip road, central reservation or verge except in an emergency, or when told to do so by the police, HA traffic officers in uniform, an emergency sign or by flashing red light signals. Do not stop on the hard shoulder to either make or receive mobile phone calls.

Which sign means no stopping?

The no stopping (Clearway) sign tells drivers that they must not stop, even momentarily to pick up or let out a passenger. It is a prohibition to stop at any time on double red lines and is only permitted on single red lines outside of operational hours displayed on the time plate.

Where’s the best place to wait for help on a motorway?

When you’re on the hard shoulder, you’re at risk of being injured by motorway traffic. The safest place to wait is away from the carriageway, but near enough to see the emergency services arriving.