Modern roads are normally smoothed,, or otherwise prepared to allow easy travel. Historically many roads were simply recognizable routes without any formal construction or maintenance. United Kingdom [ ] In the United Kingdom there is some ambiguity between the terms highway and road. The details rules for 'road users'. For the purposes of the,, which covers but not or, the term road is defined to be 'any length of highway or of any other road to which the public has access, and includes bridges over which a road passes.' This includes, and cycle tracks, and also road and driveways on private land and many car parks., a, is payable on some vehicles used on the public road.