Never drive through or park in the gore area of the roadway.

Even if all the proper safety precautions are taken while stopping on the side of the road, tragic accidents can occur, especially on the highways and interstates. Road shoulders should be used for emergency stopping only. The best choice is to continue to the next exit that has a safe and legal area to park.

If you must stop on the roadway or shoulder, follow these safety precautions at a minimum:

• Pick a point where your vehicle will be visible. If there are challenges such as debris, bridges, construction or obstructions, proceed to a safer area if at all possible.
• Signal your intentions before, during and after you pull over and park your vehicle as far off the roadway as possible.
• Regardless if it is day or night, turn on your emergency 4-way flashers immediately. Place emergency warning devices around the vehicle as per company policy and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation 392.22.
• Constantly be aware of approaching traffic so you will not be struck. If you must walk around your vehicle, always wear brightly colored/fluorescent, reflective clothing so you may be seen.
• Never drive through or park in the gore area of the roadway. The gore, gore point, or gore area/zone is the triangular piece of land found where roads and exits merge or split. This is a violation of traffic laws and is dangerous.

Remember, you will need space to build to a safe, legal speed before you merge back onto the roadway. Before moving your vehicle, check your mirrors to make sure there is adequate space between you and approaching vehicles. Continuously signal your intentions well in advance to alert other motorists. Use the shoulder as an acceleration lane before entering the flow of traffic. Never pull immediately back into the travel lane from a dead stop.

Even if you follow all safety precautions during an emergency roadside stop, per many state laws, you can individually be held legally responsible if a collision occurs.