What term would describe the areas on the side of a roadway?

The term that accurately describes the areas on the side of a roadway is the "shoulders of ditches." These areas are typically located adjacent to the travel lanes and serve several important functions, such as providing space for vehicles that may need to pull over, accommodating maintenance and emergency access, and sometimes assisting with drainage to prevent water accumulation on the road itself.

Understanding the role of these shoulder areas is crucial for roadway safety and management. They are designed to be stable and broad enough to support an emergency stop, which can help in preventing accidents arising from a vehicle experiencing trouble. While the other options mention right-of-way, ditches, and parked areas, they do not accurately capture the designated use and function of the areas specifically next to the roadway as effectively as “shoulders of ditches” does.