What does driving on the shoulder mean?
1 Answers
Driving on the shoulder refers to a vehicle traveling on the far-right lane of the road, which is the edge section adjacent to the roadside. On both regular roads and highways, driving on the shoulder is prohibited due to its high risk, especially on highways where the far-right lane is designated as an emergency lane. The emergency lane is not permitted for regular vehicle traffic. Under normal circumstances, the shoulder is not allowed for driving. However, in emergencies (including vehicle breakdowns), vehicles may briefly stop on the shoulder. Special vehicles such as police cars, ambulances, and tow trucks performing official duties have the right of way, and other vehicles may only pass under police direction. Therefore, the shoulder can also be referred to as an emergency stopping lane or emergency driving lane. The emergency lane is primarily designated for situations involving traffic accidents where police cars, ambulances, or fire trucks need immediate access to the scene for rescue operations. During normal driving, it is illegal to occupy the emergency lane, and prolonged driving or stopping in this lane is strictly prohibited. Emergency lanes are typically marked on both sides of urban ring roads, expressways, and highways.