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Difficulty: MediumStopping and the Hard Shoulder

A driver is legally permitted to pull onto a motorway hard shoulder to stop and make an urgent mobile phone call, provided the vehicle's engine is switched off.

Answer: Answer

Answer

The statement is false. Stopping on the motorway hard shoulder to make a mobile phone call is unlawful; the hard shoulder is reserved exclusively for genuine emergencies and mechanical breakdowns.
Stopping on the motorway hard shoulder is illegal unless there is an unavoidable breakdown or genuine medical emergency. Non-emergency activities like phone calls, checking directions, or resting must be carried out at a motorway service area or after exiting at the next junction.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the legal restrictions governing the use of the motorway hard shoulder.
Under Rule 269 of the Highway Code, the hard shoulder must not be used for stopping except in an emergency, breakdown, or when directed by an authorized officer.
The hard shoulder is an active safety buffer directly adjacent to high-speed traffic and presents severe collision risks whenever a vehicle stops there.
2
Evaluate whether making an urgent phone call qualifies as a lawful reason to stop on the hard shoulder.
Non-emergency activities such as answering or making calls, checking navigation, taking rest breaks, or dropping off passengers are strictly unlawful on the hard shoulder.
Drivers are required to plan ahead and exit the motorway or pull into an authorized motorway service station to manage non-emergency personal matters safely.
3
Determine the validity of the presented statement.
The statement claims that stopping on the hard shoulder for a phone call is permitted if the engine is turned off, which directly contradicts statutory regulations.
Switching off the engine does not change the non-emergency nature of the stop, meaning the action remains illegal and the statement is false.

Key Concept

Prohibited Uses of the Motorway Hard Shoulder
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Stopping and the Hard Shoulder

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