Carriageway / Lane / Hard shoulder / Road

A road is a way or path that is mainly used for traffic by motor vehicles, bicycles or pedestrians. A carriageway is the specific part of the road that is intended for traffic by motor vehicles, which means that a carriageway is neither a hard shouldernor cycle path. A lane is just a single field of a carriageway, which usually has road markings. A hard shoulder is precisely the part of a road that is also intended for traffic, but which, on the other hand, is not classified as a regular carriageway and therefore you’re usually not allowed to drive there. However, there are exceptions, such as if there are obstacles on the carriageway, then in some cases the hard should may be used.