The Department of Transportation (DOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have implemented a new restriction on roads that has sparked debate among drivers. As all drivers know, the shoulder is for emergencies, breakdowns, and emergency vehicles only. However, many people use it, especially when there are traffic jams, which poses a safety risk. That is why a fine of up to $1,000 has been imposed on repeat offenders who use the shoulder, with the belief that it will serve as a deterrent. If this practice causes an accident, the driver may face legal consequences, loss of points on their driver’s license, and even increased insurance rates.
For its part, the U.S. Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has developed methods of patrolling and technology to detect misuse of the shoulder. With this measure, it is hoped that drivers will take alternative routes, travel at different times of the day, or take public transportation to get to work during rush hour. This new measure has generated public outrage, which has been seen on social media. Many people consider the measure excessive, while others defend the need to regulate this practice and limit the risk it can pose to the offender and other drivers.
New restrictive measures on US roadsides
A new measure has been implemented on US roads that has left no one indifferent. It is a regulation that strictly penalizes those who use the hard shoulder, especially during rush hour, with the aim of avoiding traffic jams. However, all drivers know (or should know) that the hard shoulder is reserved for emergencies, breakdowns, and emergency vehicles. That is why the authorities have had to take action to curb this increasingly common practice, in order to ensure road safety. The new measure has come as a shock, as according to drivers, it came into force practically overnight, without prior warning.
What does this new measure consist of?
From now on, using the hard shoulder for reasons other than those mentioned above will have serious consequences. First of all, there is the financial penalty. This is the highest fine to date, excluding those related to reckless driving or speeding. If a driver violates this new law, they may face minor fines, with initial amounts in the range of several hundred dollars.
However, if the driver is a repeat offender, the consequences are more severe: the maximum fine is $1,000. In addition, if an accident occurs, the driver will also face the relevant legal consequences, as well as the loss of points on their driver’s license and an increase in insurance rates, as is the case with violations for using a hands-free device.
Implementation
The relevant authorities have developed detection technologies and patrolling methods whose specific mission is to detect vehicles that are driving negligently on the hard shoulder, i.e., vehicles that are not emergency vehicles, but private drivers wanting to avoid traffic. It is hoped that this new measure will encourage the use of public transport during rush hour, as well as the use of alternative routes and greater traffic flow.
Public outrage
Many drivers were “surprised” by these new restrictions, which has sparked a heated debate among them. Social media is rife with criticism of the new measure, branding it excessive, while others defend the need to put an end to this practice and, although they also consider it excessive, believe it is necessary.