What is the main purpose of the shoulder on highways?

The main purpose of the shoulder on highways is to provide space for emergency stops and breakdowns. Shoulders are strategically designed to ensure that vehicles can safely pull over in case of mechanical failure, emergencies, or other situations requiring an immediate stop. This safety feature helps to reduce the risk of accidents by allowing drivers to move their vehicles out of the flow of traffic, thus preventing potential collisions with other vehicles traveling at higher speeds.

While shoulders may sometimes be used for temporary parking or to accommodate the needs of law enforcement or emergency responders, their primary function is indeed to enable safe emergency stops. Shoulders are not intended as pedestrian walkways or for parking vehicles for longer durations; these uses could compromise safety and are generally discouraged or regulated by traffic laws.