25^th February 2019 by ingenie

When and how to use 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.

It's not a nice place to be, which is why you always need to be on top of your car maintenance and motorway safety knowledge.

When to use the hard shoulder

When your car has broken down
When there's an emergency
If the police tell you to
If you're on a smart motorway and the dynamic hard shoulder is in use

...and when NOT to use the hard shoulder

Checking a map or your phone
Having a rest
Going for a wee
Any other non-emergency

Stopping illegally on the hard shoulder could see you get a minimum £100 fine and 3 driving licence penalty points. Check what The Highway Code says about breakdowns and emergencies on the motorway.

How to use the hard shoulder

Pull onto the hard shoulder if you can't make it to a service station - try to stop near an emergency SOS phone if you can
Park as far to the left as possible, with your wheels turned AWAY from traffic
Put on your hazard lights to help other drivers see you're there
Get out of your car from the LEFT PASSENGER DOOR and stand on the verge, as far away from the traffic as possible
Use an emergency SOS phone or your own phone to call for help
Stay behind the barrier, as far away from traffic as possible

...and how NOT to use the hard shoulder

Do not stay in the car to wait
Do not stand close to the car as you could be hurt if it's hit
Do not use the right hand door to get out of the car
Do not let pets out of the car as they could run into the road
Do not try to place a warning triangle
Do not stand between your car and the breakdown or police vehicle, as one of them could be hit

Using an SOS phone:

Follow the blue and white marker posts to the nearest orange SOS phone, walking well away from the traffic
You will connect directly to the police - tell them the number on the phone so they can locate you

How to rejoin the motorway

Once your problem is sorted and you're told you can go on your way, get back in the car through the left passenger door. Then use the hard shoulder to get up to speed (as you would a slip road) and join the traffic when it is safe.

Updated: 25/02/2019