Using the shoulder to pull over
Special considerations for the shoulder in Puerto Rico
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Using the shoulder to pull over
The shoulder of the road is intended solely for emergency use, such as for breakdowns or any other emergency stops. It is not to be used as an additional lane for traffic or as a shortcut to get to an exit or entrance of a highway.
If you absolutely need to use the shoulder for an emergency stop, use these safety instructions:
- Always use your signals when merging onto the shoulder.
- Gradually slow down and move onto the shoulder as far to the right as possible. Even if you move onto the dirt or grass, it is better than being too close to the road.
- Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers that you are experiencing an emergency.
- If possible, park your vehicle as far from the road as possible to avoid impeding traffic.
- Remain in your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened until help arrives.
- If you need to exit your vehicle, do so on the side away from traffic and stand as far from the road as possible.
It’s important to use the shoulder properly, as improper use can be hazardous to both you and other drivers. Use the shoulder only in emergency situations and follow these guidelines to stay safe.
Special considerations for the shoulder in Puerto Rico
The shoulder of the road in Puerto Rico can be a much more dangerous place to be than it would normally be in most places. Normally, being pulled over on the shoulder of the road will be pretty dangerous. However, in Puerto Rico, it is frequently used incorrectly. People often use the shoulder to avoid traffic and at very high speeds. To complicate that, some people will use the shoulder as a place to park.
The reason for this is that traffic enforcement in Puerto Rico is much less strict than most places in the United States. So, we definitely recommend that you do everything that you can to stay off the shoulder. If you must pull over on the shoulder in Puerto Rico, be sure to use your hazard lights and, if you have them, set up road flares so that anyone driving on the shoulder will see you and your car with more than enough time to stop.
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In Puerto Rico or any where else in the world, you should only ever use the shoulder of the road for emergencies such as your car breaking down or being pulled over by the police. If you must pull over on the shoulder in Puerto Rico, be very careful because careless drivers frequently use it as an express lane or a regular parking space. If you need any type of vehicle shipped to or from the port at San Juan, do not hesitate to give our Puerto Rico car shipping experts a call at (904) 322-7644!
