The rules are there to protect drivers from potentially fatal accidents.”What happens if you stop on a hard shoulder when it’s not an emergency? On some smart motorways, the hard shoulder can be opened as a live lane during busy periods. A red ‘X’ or blank sign above the hard shoulder means that you MUST NOT use the hard shoulder except in an emergency. “You can only use the hard shoulder as an extra lane when a speed limit is shown above the hard shoulder. Respecting the hard shoulder is one of the simplest ways to avoid fines, points, and potentially life-threatening situations.”