Smart motorways - driving on hard shoulder.

[Sloan85]

During the commute this morning I joined the M6 and proceeded to drive along the hard shoulder for about half a mile or so before I realised the variable speed limit was not in operation and hard shoulder was for emergency use only. Do they have cameras to enforce this? I would have gone past a couple of gantrys before realising.

[shakotan]

Sloan85 said:

Do they have cameras to enforce this?

Here's hoping...

[HantsRat]

Yes they do.

[MRichards99]

In what circumstances isn't the hard shoulder for emergency use only? Not sure if I'm being stupid and there are valid reasons for doing this?

[Christmassss]

MRichards99 said:

In what circumstances isn't the hard shoulder for emergency use only? Not sure if I'm being stupid and there are valid reasons for doing this?

Within the smart motorway section of the M6 they open up the hard shoulder as a 4th lane to ease congestion

[Sheepshanks]

Christmassss said:

Within the smart motorway section of the M6 they open up the hard shoulder as a 4th lane to ease congestion

...and on other smart motorways too, not just the M6.

[TooMany2cvs]

MRichards99 said:

In what circumstances isn't the hard shoulder for emergency use only? Not sure if I'm being stupid and there are valid reasons for doing this?

When the smart m'way signage tells you it isn't the hard shoulder, but L1.

[MRichards99]

TooMany2cvs said:

MRichards99 said:

In what circumstances isn't the hard shoulder for emergency use only? Not sure if I'm being stupid and there are valid reasons for doing this?

When the smart m'way signage tells you it isn't the hard shoulder, but L1.

I never drive on smart motorways (never have), so thanks everyone!

[TooMany2cvs]

MRichards99 said:

TooMany2cvs said:

MRichards99 said:

In what circumstances isn't the hard shoulder for emergency use only? Not sure if I'm being stupid and there are valid reasons for doing this?

When the smart m'way signage tells you it isn't the hard shoulder, but L1.

I never drive on smart motorways (never have), so thanks everyone!

That's quite an achievement these days, and only going to become more so.


<double-take> And you're in Berkshire...?

[covboy]

I've seen it happen more than once on this section. It's habit I think. They use 4 lane running so often people think it's the norm and switch to auto pilot when driving.regardless of what restrictions are in place (or not)

[MRichards99]

TooMany2cvs said:

That's quite an achievement these days, and only going to become more so.

<double-take> And you're in Berkshire...?

Thanks . Yeah I'm in West Berkshire. Looking at the image you attached, I guess I've driven M4 J12-J11 but that'll be it. Only been driving for 18 months so that'll have something to do with it

[covboy]

MRichards99 said:

Thanks . Yeah I'm in West Berkshire. Looking at the image you attached, I guess I've driven M4 J12-J11 but that'll be it. Only been driving for 18 months so that'll have something to do with it

Was the protocol of Motorway driving not covered by your instructor ? (I f you had one)

[MRichards99]

covboy said:

Was the protocol of Motorway driving not covered by your instructor ? (I f you had one)

Yeah I think so (18 months is a long time ago ) but after reading OP's post I came to the conclusion that hard shoulders are only for emergency use.

[Sloan85]

covboy said:

I've seen it happen more than once on this section. It's habit I think. They use 4 lane running so often people think it's the norm and switch to auto pilot when driving.regardless of what restrictions are in place (or not)

Exactly this. I was 15 mins earlier than my usual commute so was a bit quieter. I don’t recall a time it hasn’t been 60 or 50 with hard shoulder running from the M42. Must pay more attention!

[Sloan85]

What would the penalty be for this if caught??

[TooMany2cvs]

Sloan85 said:

What would the penalty be for this if caught??

It'd be a £100/3pt FPN, I think - MW10 on your licence, rather than TS50?

Edited by TooMany2cvs on Wednesday 4th April 15:22

[TTmonkey]

MRichards99 said:

Yeah I think so (18 months is a long time ago ) but after reading OP's post I came to the conclusion that hard shoulders are only for emergency use.

I was driving down the M3 the other day, broken down car stopped on the 'hard shoulder'. Only it wasn't, it was L1, as smart motorway was in use.


I just stay out of that lane, I don't use it.

[TooMany2cvs]

TTmonkey said:

I was driving down the M3 the other day, broken down car stopped on the 'hard shoulder'. Only it wasn't, it was L1, as smart motorway was in use.

I'm surprised the control room hadn't kicked the signage into life - must've only just happened.

[KevinCamaroSS]

TTmonkey said:

I just stay out of that lane, I don't use it.

Thereby making yourself a middle lane moron. Use lanes correctly and look where you are going.

[ianwayne]

On the M5 and M6 round here, they frequently put up a red X over the hard shoulder along with displays on the matrix signs saying "hard shoulder for emergency use only."

They've become necessary because of what the OP did. I see it frequently.