HARD SHOULDER STOPPING - ONLY IN AN EMERGENCY URGE RAC PATROLS
24 August 2004 - RAC Motoring Services Ltd

With the traffic expected to be busy this bank holiday weekend many motorists could be seriously risking their lives by unnecessarily stopping on the hard shoulders of motorways and dual carriageways, said motoring organisation RAC.

RAC patrols are urging drivers to remember that the hard shoulders of motorways and dual carriageways should only be used in an emergency when there is no other option but to stop.

''This summer RAC patrols have seen a marked increase in the number of drivers, putting themselves and others at risk by pulling onto the hard shoulder to use their mobile phone, check a map, retrieve something from the car boot or even to go to the toilet, said RAC patrol of the year Paul Oakley.

''With around 200 people killed or injured on the side of Britain''s motorways and dual carriageways every year* drivers need to appreciate just how dangerous it can be to stop rather than waiting until the next service station or pulling off at the next exit.''

RAC is aware of numerous incidents involving vehicles driving or swerving onto the hard shoulder. The details of some of the near misses logged by RAC patrols show a blatant disregard by some drivers both for the safety of other road users and those stranded on the hard shoulder.

Drivers have a key role to play in reducing death and injury at the roadside, both to themselves and to those who attend them.

- You should not access a motorway or dual carriageway if your vehicle is showing signs of a likely breakdown, but instead pull over and call for assistance.

If you do break down on a motorway or dual carriageway and there is no other option but to stop:

- Be mindful of where you pull up
- Use the hard shoulder if there is one, rather than the chevroned area and pull as far over to the left as possible
- Avoid parking on a bend
- Make sure your hazard lights are on and in poor visibility your side lights as well
- Turn your front wheels towards the kerb
- Leave the vehicle via the passenger doors and move as far away from the vehicle as possible and off the carriageway. If there is a safety barrier ensure you and your passengers wait behind it
- When walking along the hard shoulder to or from the emergency phone keep as far away from the oncoming traffic as possible and keep in mind the danger that it poses
- If you are using a mobile phone make sure you know where you are to assist the breakdown organisation in locating you - also use the marker posts to help identify your position
- Follow the safety advice given by the breakdown organisation
- Keep a constant eye on the oncoming traffic

Attempting to repair your vehicle at the roadside is highly dangerous, particularly on the side nearest the traffic. RAC recommends calling on the services of a motoring organisation to assist.

It is important that drivers take care when passing vehicles that are on the hard shoulder.

Drivers must watch out for vehicles with hazard lights or flashing beacons, as this is a clear indication that there are likely to be people on the roadside ahead.

When passing a broken down vehicle at the roadside, you should:

- Keep your eyes on the road ahead and avoid ''rubbernecking''
- Allow as much space as possible between you and the hard shoulder without impacting upon the other lanes.
- Be mindful of adjacent traffic in case you need to take avoiding action

www.rac.co.uk

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