What distance should motor vehicles maintain from the edge of the road on a hard shoulder?

Maintaining a distance of 0.5 meters from the edge of the road on a hard shoulder is significant for safety reasons. This buffer zone helps to ensure that vehicles do not risk encroaching too closely to the edge where they might encounter hazards such as pedestrians, roadside obstacles, or emergency situations. This distance provides a safety margin that allows drivers to maneuver safely without leaving the roadway.

A distance of 0.5 meters strikes a balance between being safely away from the edge and not being excessively far, which could complicate navigation on narrower roads or in more confined areas. It’s a standard practice that helps mitigate the risk of accidents, ensuring that vehicles can travel safely while giving enough space to those who might be at the roadside, such as emergency responders or disabled vehicles.