Pulling up on hard shoulder due to check engine light?
Discussion
The amber check engine light is not serious and you should not pull up on the hard shoulder because of it.
Suppose somebody didn't know and thought it was something serious so they pull up on the hard shoulder, do their fluid checks and call rac who tell them amber light is no big deal and it's ok to go, after which they do.
Have they commited an offense by pulling over in the hard shoulder the first place due to their ignorance?
Suppose somebody didn't know and thought it was something serious so they pull up on the hard shoulder, do their fluid checks and call rac who tell them amber light is no big deal and it's ok to go, after which they do.
Have they commited an offense by pulling over in the hard shoulder the first place due to their ignorance?
Whether its deemed as illegal or not (I havent checked), I cant imagine that anyone would be prosecuted in the circumstances. There are a number of lights on the dash, some can come on in varying colours, some solid on, some flash and all have varying meanings depending on colour or if flashing - one would need a fairly decent memory to know what they all mean.
I dont think it unreasonable to pull over on the HS to double check the light, especially if combined with any noise / smell / power loss.
Personally, I wouldnt - I know that its unlikly to be serious, especialy if no power loss in the car but would probabaly pull off at the next junction / services to double check.
I dont think it unreasonable to pull over on the HS to double check the light, especially if combined with any noise / smell / power loss.
Personally, I wouldnt - I know that its unlikly to be serious, especialy if no power loss in the car but would probabaly pull off at the next junction / services to double check.
Technically, yes, they have committed an offence as it is not deemed to be an emergency.
If the vehicle is still capable of moving, basically the advice is to keep going as best as you can until you get to the next exit/services, where you should pull off the motorway (according to the AA, this also applies to a puncture/flat tyre also - Driving on three wheels at reduced speed is still deemed to be safer than stopping on the hard shoulder).
The chances are, you would be given a word of warning from a Police Officer if they found you, rather than face prosecution for the offence (no guarantee's on that though!)
If the vehicle is still capable of moving, basically the advice is to keep going as best as you can until you get to the next exit/services, where you should pull off the motorway (according to the AA, this also applies to a puncture/flat tyre also - Driving on three wheels at reduced speed is still deemed to be safer than stopping on the hard shoulder).
The chances are, you would be given a word of warning from a Police Officer if they found you, rather than face prosecution for the offence (no guarantee's on that though!)
4rephill said:
Technically, yes, they have committed an offence as it is not deemed to be an emergency.
If the vehicle is still capable of moving, basically the advice is to keep going as best as you can until you get to the next exit/services, where you should pull off the motorway (according to the AA, this also applies to a puncture/flat tyre also - Driving on three wheels at reduced speed is still deemed to be safer than stopping on the hard shoulder).
The chances are, you would be given a word of warning from a Police Officer if they found you, rather than face prosecution for the offence (no guarantee's on that though!)
Who had deemed it to not be an emergency ?If the vehicle is still capable of moving, basically the advice is to keep going as best as you can until you get to the next exit/services, where you should pull off the motorway (according to the AA, this also applies to a puncture/flat tyre also - Driving on three wheels at reduced speed is still deemed to be safer than stopping on the hard shoulder).
The chances are, you would be given a word of warning from a Police Officer if they found you, rather than face prosecution for the offence (no guarantee's on that though!)
Do you have a link to this advice you claim the AA have given?
Just because these forums are full of petrolheads doesn't represent the majority of people who don't have the first clue about how their car works or the warning signs it displays. No police officer is going to penalise you if you'd genuinely pulled over as you thought your car had broken down.
I guess it depends.
If the engine light came with other symptoms or a limp-home (loss of power, misfiring, autobox wont shift etc) then I think I would drop onto the hard shoulder so I can slow down and evaluate the situation and maybe try turning the ignition off and restarting the car.
An engine light with no symptoms though, I’d ignore it and press on to the next services.
If the engine light came with other symptoms or a limp-home (loss of power, misfiring, autobox wont shift etc) then I think I would drop onto the hard shoulder so I can slow down and evaluate the situation and maybe try turning the ignition off and restarting the car.
An engine light with no symptoms though, I’d ignore it and press on to the next services.
daveinhampshire said:
Just because these forums are full of petrolheads doesn't represent the majority of people who don't have the first clue about how their car works or the warning signs it displays. No police officer is going to penalise you if you'd genuinely pulled over as you thought your car had broken down.
Demonstrated daily with all those who have absolutely no idea where the indicator stalk is 
ging84 said:
4rephill said:
Technically, yes, they have committed an offence as it is not deemed to be an emergency.
If the vehicle is still capable of moving, basically the advice is to keep going as best as you can until you get to the next exit/services, where you should pull off the motorway (according to the AA, this also applies to a puncture/flat tyre also - Driving on three wheels at reduced speed is still deemed to be safer than stopping on the hard shoulder).
The chances are, you would be given a word of warning from a Police Officer if they found you, rather than face prosecution for the offence (no guarantee's on that though!)
Who had deemed it to not be an emergency ?If the vehicle is still capable of moving, basically the advice is to keep going as best as you can until you get to the next exit/services, where you should pull off the motorway (according to the AA, this also applies to a puncture/flat tyre also - Driving on three wheels at reduced speed is still deemed to be safer than stopping on the hard shoulder).
The chances are, you would be given a word of warning from a Police Officer if they found you, rather than face prosecution for the offence (no guarantee's on that though!)
Do you have a link to this advice you claim the AA have given?
Good luck with the keep going admonition if the problem manifests itself immediately after J2a of the M26 (westbound) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M26_motorway
A fair percentage of motorists aren't even capable of swapping to the spare/space saver tyre (assuming the car doesn't have run flats or only a can of tyre repair foam).
And even for those that are, changing an o/s tyre next to live lane with HGVs thundering by isn't a great idea.
daveinhampshire said:
Just because these forums are full of petrolheads doesn't represent the majority of people who don't have the first clue about how their car works or the warning signs it displays.
IGnorance should never be an acceptable defence in law.Any responsible driver should know what all the basic controls and warning lights on his vehicle are. They include a free manual telling you what it all means just for that purpose.
Peoples own stupidity in not reading these things should not be allowed to be used as an excuse for poor driving.
If you dont understand some of the basic controls and warning lights then IMO you are not in proper control of your vehicle, an offence and should be punished as such.
Excuses like "the husband sorts that for me" "I didnt know what it meant" etc etc are not acceptable.
More stuff like this needs covering in the driving test. A tyre change should be compulsory unless disability prevents it, changing a bulb, properly checking oil and tyre pressure rather than "pointing" at the stuff.
Petrol head or not, this stuff is the basics of what makes a safe and competant driver. Those who are incapable of doing even that should not get a license or should be penalised off the roads.
The highway code specifically states not to attempt any sort of repair on the hard shoulder. The advice is don't stop on the motorway unless you've no choice but if you must stop, get out of the car, call for help and stay away from the car.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/break...
If a tyre has completely gone then you'll have to travel very slowly and with limited control of the car, which could present a hazard to you and other drivers. Under those circumstances it doesn't seem unreasonable to stop on the hard shoulder.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/break...
If a tyre has completely gone then you'll have to travel very slowly and with limited control of the car, which could present a hazard to you and other drivers. Under those circumstances it doesn't seem unreasonable to stop on the hard shoulder.
daveinhampshire said:
Just because these forums are full of petrolheads doesn't represent the majority of people who don't have the first clue about how their car works or the warning signs it displays. No police officer is going to penalise you if you'd genuinely pulled over as you thought your car had broken down.
'broken down' infers that the car has 'failed to proceed' & thus become stationary. A warning light may indicate that the car 'might' break down & that not stopping asap could render unnecessary & very serious damage. Police would need to see evidence of illuminated warning light as unlikely to take your word for it.
WJNB said:
daveinhampshire said:
Just because these forums are full of petrolheads doesn't represent the majority of people who don't have the first clue about how their car works or the warning signs it displays. No police officer is going to penalise you if you'd genuinely pulled over as you thought your car had broken down.
'broken down' infers that the car has 'failed to proceed' & thus become stationary. A warning light may indicate that the car 'might' break down & that not stopping asap could render unnecessary & very serious damage. Police would need to see evidence of illuminated warning light as unlikely to take your word for it.
WJNB said:
'broken down' infers that the car has 'failed to proceed' & thus become stationary.
A warning light may indicate that the car 'might' break down & that not stopping asap could render unnecessary & very serious damage. Police would need to see evidence of illuminated warning light as unlikely to take your word for it.
Are people plucking "broken down" from thin air? A warning light may indicate that the car 'might' break down & that not stopping asap could render unnecessary & very serious damage. Police would need to see evidence of illuminated warning light as unlikely to take your word for it.
ging84 said:
4rephill said:
Technically, yes, they have committed an offence as it is not deemed to be an emergency.
If the vehicle is still capable of moving, basically the advice is to keep going as best as you can until you get to the next exit/services, where you should pull off the motorway (according to the AA, this also applies to a puncture/flat tyre also - Driving on three wheels at reduced speed is still deemed to be safer than stopping on the hard shoulder).
The chances are, you would be given a word of warning from a Police Officer if they found you, rather than face prosecution for the offence (no guarantee's on that though!)
Who had deemed it to not be an emergency ?If the vehicle is still capable of moving, basically the advice is to keep going as best as you can until you get to the next exit/services, where you should pull off the motorway (according to the AA, this also applies to a puncture/flat tyre also - Driving on three wheels at reduced speed is still deemed to be safer than stopping on the hard shoulder).
The chances are, you would be given a word of warning from a Police Officer if they found you, rather than face prosecution for the offence (no guarantee's on that though!)
Do you have a link to this advice you claim the AA have given?
All you have to do is get Google up as you're search engine (other search engines are available!), and type in: "AA - Stopping on the hard shoulder" - It really is that easy!
As it seems too difficult for you, here's the link:
https://www.theaa.com/breakdown-cover/news/hard-sh...
And here's the information from that link (You need to scroll down the page to find the relevant information) :
"It’s best to try to drive to a safer place off the motorway rather than stopping on the hard shoulder, even in the event of a breakdown. For example, if your car has an amber warning light, it’s fine to continue to the next exit; and, likewise, say you get a puncture or an alert from your car’s tyre pressure monitoring system, it’s better to risk having to shell out for a new tyre than be a sitting duck on the hard shoulder."
Here comes the next part of this completely true and obviously not at all fabricated tale 
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
SpeedySpeedBoy said:
I broke down on the motorway and pulled up in hard shoulder. I called out rac but the police got to me first. Police had some non car issues with me that I don't want to discuss but basically they removed me from the car for hours and got highway control to impound my car. Eventually they found out were in the wrong/acting and have admitted that and holding me was not required. I want to appeal the impounding because it seems to have been related to the police deciding to investigate me, otherwise in worst case scenario I could have got rac to pick me up.
When I appeal police will admit that they made a mistake deciding to hold me for hours and it's their fault so I the appeal may be successful because I guess thats the reason I wasn't able to deal with it myself.
However higway control\police may say it still shouldn't have been there, they got to it before rac did(regardless of whether it was poice who notified them) so I still have to pay the impound fines.
Is this what might happen or do they give a time frame for rac to turn up etc? please advise.
When I appeal police will admit that they made a mistake deciding to hold me for hours and it's their fault so I the appeal may be successful because I guess thats the reason I wasn't able to deal with it myself.
However higway control\police may say it still shouldn't have been there, they got to it before rac did(regardless of whether it was poice who notified them) so I still have to pay the impound fines.
Is this what might happen or do they give a time frame for rac to turn up etc? please advise.
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