Pull over! The top 10 worst excuses for stopping on the hard shoulder

Worst excuses for pulling over into the emergency lane include feeding children, picking flowers and taking pictures.

16:40 24 July 2014

With a goal of discouraging drivers from stopping on the hard shoulder unnecessarily, the Highways Agency has released their list of the worst reasons given by road users who abused the emergency lane.

The agency’s data revealed that between July and September last year, 234 drivers in the South East alone stopped on the hard shoulder when there was no emergency. Other motorists also drove under a red X sign which is displayed when the lane ahead is closed.

Jamie Hassall, Highways Agency national enforcement co-ordinator, said: “Every day, millions of people use our motorways. Most of them use the hard shoulder correctly and don’t ignore red X’s, but we are appealing to the few who put themselves, other road users, and those working on motorways at risk.

“Where the hard shoulder is used as an additional traffic lane at peak times, you can only drive on it if there is a speed limit over it. When a red X is displayed over any lane, it’s simple – don’t drive on it.”

The Highways Agency’s top 10 worst excuses for stopping on the hard shoulder

• One motorist pulled over because they saw fire” on their dashboard display, it later turned out it was the name of the Adele track they were listening to.
• One motorist parked up and fell asleep on the M6.
• People stopping to read a map or check their sat-navs.
• Traffic officers stopped with two cars on the hard shoulder – the owners were half way through the selling and buying process for one of the cars.
• One driver realised their car insurance policy was up for renewal – they were ringing around for quotes to renew.
• Parents feeding children.
• Taxi drivers waiting on the hard shoulder around Heathrow airport for their client's flights to arrive.
• A mobile phone operator, stopping at regular intervals in their private car carrying out signal tests on the hard shoulder.
• A driver who stopped to pick flowers.
• Have you broken down Sir? No, came the reply, we are taking pictures of our new born grandchild (in their open top sports car) as it is a lovely day.