What To Do If You Break Down On A Motorway
26 Aug 2020
It is certainly something most motorists tend to want to avoid, but unfortunately, it is important that you know what to do if you ever break down on a motorway.
With cars hurtling down the road either side of you, being aware, responsive and proactive is key. Here are the things you should do if you break down on a motorway.
It is important to mention, the absolute first thing you must do is to switch on your hazard lights. Next...
Pull Over To A Safe Place
The best-case scenario when the warning lights start going off is that there is an accessible exit whereby you may depart the motorway to safety.
Failing that, the best second option is that you can pull up into a suitable lay-by or hard shoulder. Of course, the new smart motorway system means that the hard shoulder may be ‘active’, which is where being reactive is crucial. Firstly, look out for an emergency area. You will recognise them for being marked with blue signs and an orange SOS phone symbol.
However, if this is not possible, aim for as close to the verge or slip road as possible. If there is no barrier separating the verge, then try and go completely off the motorway. If there is a barrier, get reasonably close but you will need to be able to open the passenger door.
When you get parked, increase your visibility as much as possible; get all the lights on especially if weather conditions or time of day affect vision.
Do Not Stay In Your Car
The busy motorway traffic will be whizzing past you with speed, so it’s not recommended you stay in your car if you are parked anywhere other than a lay-by (unless you are totally clear of the motorway). If you have high-visibility clothing then this would be a good moment to get them on. If it’s cold, make sure you are wrapped up nicely - maybe there’s even a couple of rogue blankets in the boot.
Exit the car through the doors away from the motorway. That might seem obvious but in a moment of confusion and urgency, it might not cross your mind at the moment.
Call For Assistance
Firstly, while making your call, make sure you are facing the oncoming traffic; you don’t have eyes in the back of your head.
Then, assuming you are in a circumstance where your mobile phone isn’t working (maybe you forgot to juice it, left it at home, there’s no reception, or by some chance you don’t actually own one), then you will either have to walk along to the nearest emergency telephones that line the hard shoulder. These are separated with about a mile in-between. You can find out which direction to go for the closest one by checking the back of the posts at the back of the hard shoulder - arrows will point you in the right direction. The beauty of these free phones is that the operator (who is always available) will know your exact location immediately.
You will need to give the operator full details of your situation, and whether you are a vulnerable motorist (for example if you are disabled, more senior or riding solo). Then, return to the location of your car (but don’t get inside). Remain clear of the carriageway and hard shoulder.
What Not To Do If You Break Down On A Motorway
Sometimes, these ‘don’t’s seem illogical, but they are mentioned in the name of your safety.
-
Don’t bother with a warning triangle. Motorways are far more dangerous than other roads, and using one in this scenario may place you in a vulnerable position.
-
Don’t be a hero. No matter how minor a repair (like a tyre change) may seem, you could be placing yourself under serious threat for attempting to fix it.
-
If you have a pet, leave them in the car. They are both adorable and unpredictable creatures, and they are safer left in the vehicle. If it is a hot day, take usual precautions for taking care of them (leave a window down and a bowl of water to drink).
How To Prevent Break Downs In The First Place
Naturally, prevention is preferable to cure. The first thing you should do as a responsible motorist before setting off on any long journey is to check your car’s oil, water and tyre pressure. This runs in conjunction with regular services and MOTs. Inevitably, it is not always possible to catch potential problems before they happen, especially for older vehicles.
Though the obvious solution is to ensure you always have a car with the latest safety specs, this can be expensive, right? Wrong. Car leasing is revolutionary for gaining ownership of your dream car for a substantially lower price than owning outright. In addition, lease cars own the latest safety gadgets that keep you informed both under the hood and out on the road. Click here to find the best deal for your perfect motor.
With cars hurtling down the road either side of you, being aware, responsive and proactive is key. Here are the things you should do if you break down on a motorway.
It is important to mention, the absolute first thing you must do is to switch on your hazard lights. Next...
Pull Over To A Safe Place
The best-case scenario when the warning lights start going off is that there is an accessible exit whereby you may depart the motorway to safety.
Failing that, the best second option is that you can pull up into a suitable lay-by or hard shoulder. Of course, the new smart motorway system means that the hard shoulder may be ‘active’, which is where being reactive is crucial. Firstly, look out for an emergency area. You will recognise them for being marked with blue signs and an orange SOS phone symbol.
However, if this is not possible, aim for as close to the verge or slip road as possible. If there is no barrier separating the verge, then try and go completely off the motorway. If there is a barrier, get reasonably close but you will need to be able to open the passenger door.
When you get parked, increase your visibility as much as possible; get all the lights on especially if weather conditions or time of day affect vision.
Do Not Stay In Your Car
The busy motorway traffic will be whizzing past you with speed, so it’s not recommended you stay in your car if you are parked anywhere other than a lay-by (unless you are totally clear of the motorway). If you have high-visibility clothing then this would be a good moment to get them on. If it’s cold, make sure you are wrapped up nicely - maybe there’s even a couple of rogue blankets in the boot.
Exit the car through the doors away from the motorway. That might seem obvious but in a moment of confusion and urgency, it might not cross your mind at the moment.
Call For Assistance
Firstly, while making your call, make sure you are facing the oncoming traffic; you don’t have eyes in the back of your head.
Then, assuming you are in a circumstance where your mobile phone isn’t working (maybe you forgot to juice it, left it at home, there’s no reception, or by some chance you don’t actually own one), then you will either have to walk along to the nearest emergency telephones that line the hard shoulder. These are separated with about a mile in-between. You can find out which direction to go for the closest one by checking the back of the posts at the back of the hard shoulder - arrows will point you in the right direction. The beauty of these free phones is that the operator (who is always available) will know your exact location immediately.
You will need to give the operator full details of your situation, and whether you are a vulnerable motorist (for example if you are disabled, more senior or riding solo). Then, return to the location of your car (but don’t get inside). Remain clear of the carriageway and hard shoulder.
What Not To Do If You Break Down On A Motorway
Sometimes, these ‘don’t’s seem illogical, but they are mentioned in the name of your safety.
-
Don’t bother with a warning triangle. Motorways are far more dangerous than other roads, and using one in this scenario may place you in a vulnerable position.
-
Don’t be a hero. No matter how minor a repair (like a tyre change) may seem, you could be placing yourself under serious threat for attempting to fix it.
-
If you have a pet, leave them in the car. They are both adorable and unpredictable creatures, and they are safer left in the vehicle. If it is a hot day, take usual precautions for taking care of them (leave a window down and a bowl of water to drink).
How To Prevent Break Downs In The First Place
Naturally, prevention is preferable to cure. The first thing you should do as a responsible motorist before setting off on any long journey is to check your car’s oil, water and tyre pressure. This runs in conjunction with regular services and MOTs. Inevitably, it is not always possible to catch potential problems before they happen, especially for older vehicles.
Though the obvious solution is to ensure you always have a car with the latest safety specs, this can be expensive, right? Wrong. Car leasing is revolutionary for gaining ownership of your dream car for a substantially lower price than owning outright. In addition, lease cars own the latest safety gadgets that keep you informed both under the hood and out on the road. Click here to find the best deal for your perfect motor.