Hard Shoulder Running

 

A shoulder, often serving as an emergency stopping lane, is a reserved lane by the verge of a road or motorway.

 

The shoulders are used as travel lanes during peak commuting hours. They allow hard shoulder running by general traffic at reduced speeds during periods of high traffic volumes to alleviate the congestion. 

 

Moreover, in the event of an emergency or breakdown, a motorist can pull into the shoulder to get out of the flow of traffic and obtain a greater degree of safety. Emergency vehicles such as ambulances and police cars may also use the shoulder to bypass traffic congestion.