Despite warnings from authorities, some motorists often use the hard shoulder, especially during traffic congestion or peak hours, to gain an advantage. There are also those who drive onto the shoulder to rest or even to talk on their mobile phones. However, by doing this, these motorists are not only violating the right of way of the car ahead of them but also breaking traffic rules while endangering their own lives and those of others. On Sunday, the Abu Dhabi Police reminded such drivers not to use hard shoulders except in emergency situations. The hard shoulder or road shoulder in the UAE is the paved emergency lane or the additional lane located on the extreme right side of a road or highway, marked by bold yellow lines. In a video clip, the law enforcement agency emphasized that shoulders are designated for police, ambulance services, and civil defence to reach accident sites, transport the injured to hospitals, and provide similar emergency services. They urged motorists not to use hard shoulders except in emergency situations or as safe parking spots in case of car breakdown. Using it otherwise results in delays in assistance arriving at accident spots and other emergency situations, endangering the lives and safety of people, the Abu Dhabi Police added. According to Article 42 of the UAE Federal Traffic Law, motorists overtaking on the shoulder are subject to a Dh1,000 fine and six black points.