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Difficulty: EasyStopping and the Hard Shoulder

Under which of the following circumstances is a driver legally permitted to stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway?

  1. A
    To stop and check route directions after taking a wrong turn
  2. Only in an emergency, breakdown, or when directed by the police or traffic signsAnswer
  3. C
    To step out and place a warning triangle behind the vehicle to warn approaching traffic
  4. D
    To inspect non-critical vehicle warning lights that do not require an immediate stop

Answer

Only in an emergency, breakdown, or when directed by the police or traffic signs
Under the Highway Code, you must not stop on any part of a motorway, including the hard shoulder, except in a genuine breakdown, an emergency, or when directed to do so by the police, traffic officers, or official traffic signs.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the legal restrictions governing the use of motorway hard shoulders under the Highway Code.
The hard shoulder is not an extra running lane or a resting place and must remain clear for emergency situations.
High-speed traffic creates significant risk of severe collisions with stationary vehicles on the motorway shoulder.
2
Evaluate the permissible exceptions for bringing a vehicle to a stop on the hard shoulder.
Stopping is only lawful during an emergency, a mechanical breakdown, or under the direction of an authorised person or official signal.
Activities such as making telephone calls, resting, checking navigation, or routine vehicle checks must be done at motorway service areas or off the motorway network.

Key Concept

Motorway hard shoulder stopping regulations and breakdown safety
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Stopping and the Hard Shoulder

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