What does it mean that the highway shoulder is passable?

[KadenLee]

Driving on the highway shoulder refers to motor vehicles driving on the shoulder of the highway. The shoulder refers to the part located on the far right, which is the section from the edge of the road surface to the edge of the roadbed on both sides of the highway (including the earthen shoulder and the hard shoulder). According to relevant laws and regulations, motor vehicles driving on the highway shoulder will be fined and penalized with 6 demerit points. Right shoulder: For a four-lane highway with a design speed of 120km/h, a right hard shoulder of 3.50m is recommended. For six-lane and eight-lane highways, a right hard shoulder of 3.0m is recommended. When restricted by terrain conditions or other special circumstances, the minimum value can be adopted. Left shoulder: For eight-lane and above highways with an integral cross-section, it is neither safe nor practical for vehicles that break down or run out of fuel to cross several lanes to stop on the right shoulder. Based on experience, a hard shoulder of at least 2.5m wide should be provided on the left side for broken-down vehicles to park or wait to be towed away.

[Lopez]

I remember driving for over 20 years, so I'm quite familiar with the concept of highway shoulder driving. It means that during severe congestion on certain sections of the highway, traffic management authorities temporarily open the shoulder to allow vehicle passage, effectively adding an extra lane to ease traffic flow. I've followed the signs and driven on the shoulder several times during rush hour traffic jams, and it felt significantly faster than staying in the main lanes. However, extra caution is needed because shoulders aren't designed for normal driving—they often have rocks, debris, or potholes, making it easy to lose control at higher speeds. Not to mention the risk of delaying emergency vehicles—it's simply too dangerous. My advice to everyone stuck in highway traffic is to first confirm if official signals permit shoulder driving. If there are no instructions, stay in the main lanes—safety is far more important than saving a few minutes. Developing the habit of checking road signs and traffic broadcasts can help prevent accidents.

[DiWillow]

When I first started driving, I was completely confused when I heard about the 'shoulder driving allowed' notice on highways. Later, a friend explained that it's a temporary measure by traffic authorities, occasionally permitting vehicles to drive on the shoulder during severe congestion. I remember during my probationary period, stuck in a massive highway jam, I saw others using the shoulder and decided to try it too—only to end up feeling uneasy. After checking the rules at home, I realized it's only permitted during specific times and sections, with fines for unauthorized use. Now I've learned my lesson: as a novice driver, I'd rather wait a bit longer in the main lanes than take risky shortcuts. The shoulder may look wide and clear, but hidden hazards like broken glass or subtle slopes can easily cause accidents. Regularly checking traffic apps for rule updates helps cultivate safer driving awareness.

[RachelLee]

I care about traffic safety, and using highway shoulders as a temporary lane may seem convenient but is actually highly dangerous. It refers to a measure where traffic authorities allow vehicles to use the shoulder as a temporary lane during peak congestion periods. However, the original purpose of the shoulder is for emergency stops or broken-down vehicles. Misuse can lead to accidents due to uneven surfaces or obstacles, potentially causing skidding. Even worse, it may block emergency rescue routes. I believe everyone should strictly adhere to the rules and only use the shoulder when clearly indicated by road signs or broadcasts—otherwise, the consequences could be dire. From experience, prioritizing safety over saving time is crucial, and developing the habit of observing the surroundings helps reduce risks on highways.