hard shoulder
Noun: A paved or hardened strip of land running alongside the edge of a motorway or other major road, designated for vehicles to stop in emergencies only. It is not intended for normal travel or overtaking.
The hard shoulder is a safety feature on high-speed roads. * Drivers may only use the hard shoulder in case of a breakdown or a medical emergency. * After pulling over, you should turn on your hazard warning lights and stand behind the safety barrier. * In some areas, the hard shoulder can be used as an extra traffic lane during peak hours, which is known as "hard shoulder running."
- "My car started overheating, so I had to pull onto the hard shoulder to let it cool down."
- "It is illegal to drive on the hard shoulder unless it is clearly marked as an active traffic lane."
- "The emergency services vehicle was parked on the hard shoulder attending to an accident."
- "Hard shoulder running": A traffic management strategy where the hard shoulder is temporarily opened to traffic to increase road capacity during busy periods.
- Signs will indicate when hard shoulder running is in operation.
- Shoulder (noun): In general road terminology, the unpaved or less robust edge of a road. The "hard shoulder" is a specific type of shoulder on motorways.
- Breakdown lane (noun): A term used in some regions, notably North America, with a similar meaning to "hard shoulder."
- Emergency stopping lane (noun): A more descriptive synonym.
- Emergency lane
- Breakdown lane (chiefly US)
- Emergency stopping lane
The hard shoulder is not for: * Stopping to use a mobile phone. * Taking a rest break (use designated service areas for this). * Letting passengers in or out. * Overtaking slower traffic.
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a paved strip beside a motorway (for stopping in emergencies)
