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What is the penalty for driving on the hard shoulder?

What penalties do they give for driving on the hard shoulder? Sometimes it’s really tempting to just zip around parts of the traffic to get to where I’m going, but I know I’m not supposed to. Would I just get a ticket?

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Liz Jenson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
You’re right to resist the urge—driving on the hard shoulder is both illegal and dangerous, especially during heavy traffic. Legal penalties are typically issued in the form of tickets from $25 to $150, but you might also face some annoyed drivers when you try to merge back onto the main road.
If driving on the shoulder causes property damage, injury, or death, you might be hit with a reckless driving charge, which could result in:
Overall, it’s best to wait it out in traffic like the rest of us.
Most traffic infractions also result in an increase in insurance prices. Luckily, the
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