I have never heard that before. Passing signs are used all down the highway. I never seen a sign indicating a turn-out is to allow for passing. Have you? Is what you are saying in the CVC? And, if there are signs that say "slower traffic use turnouts," (likely on a steep incline) does the absence of that sign mean all turnouts are for passing as well?
Legal stopping and parking areas, which can be turnouts, are also part of the highway. Since turnouts do not have lanes or marked parking stalls, and a car in a turnout is out of lanes of through traffic, how can he be obstructing traffic? It would be like stopping in an open field and being charged with blocking traffic.But, also consider this, the turnout is part of the "highway" and, if when you park and leave your vehicle, it obstructs that turnout in any way or presents an articulable hazard (which can be subjective), it could be towed pursuant to CVC 22651(b).
To be specific and not "general," please tell what the purpose and prohibitions are of the turnouts on Hwy 14 between Santa Clarita and Lancaster, CA? I have driven that Hwy my whole life and witnessed motorists use those turnouts for whatever they wish...park and hike, stretch their legs, eat lunch, urinate, etc, and I have never seen a CHP ever interact with them. Heck, I even see big rig truckers sleeping in trun-outs all the way up the 395 to Mammoth and Tahoe.
You seem to be saying that there is no difference between stopping or parking in the emergency lane and stopping or parking in a turnout, when in my experience, there is.

