The Main Functions of a Recovery Zone/Hard Shoulder
On motorways, the hard shoulder, referred to as the emergency lane, provides extra space for emergency vehicles and unexpected stopping.
On dual carriageway or single carriageway roads, paved shoulder is generally used to accommodate driving errors when the vehicle goes off the road, but it also provides extra space to:

• 1 help car drivers to avoid potential conflicts with errant vehicles veering away from their normal paths
• 2 increase lateral clearance during overtaking manoeuvres
• 3 avoid vehicles making a turn towards minor roads and private accesses
• 4 accommodate stopped vehicles for emergency use under unexpected circumstances (mechanical failures, flat tyres, etc.)

5 be used by cyclists and pedestrians off the carriageway

• 6 improve highway capacity and facilitate road maintenance and rural activities
• 7 maintain an access to rescue vehicles in case of emergencies
• 8 increase sight distance and clear visibility from minor roads