Hard Shoulder Statistics

Hard shoulder accidents claimed the lives of 67 people in the five years from 2000 − 2004, and a further 950 people were injured. Even so, drivers still put themselves at risk by pulling over for non−emergencies such as phone calls, checking the map or even taking a toilet break.

A vehicle parked on the hard shoulder is more likely to be involved in a serious accident than one travelling in motorway traffic, according to research by the Highways Agency.

Quentin Willson went out on patrol with Highways Agency Traffic Officers to find out about some of the high−risk behaviour they see on the motorways, including a vehicle that stopped to release racing pigeons from the hard shoulder and people stopping to swap Christmas presents.