What to Do If Your Car Breaks Down
23/04/2024
Breaking down on the road can be a stressful and inconvenient experience, but knowing what to do in such a situation can make a significant difference. Whether you're on a busy motorway or a quiet country lane, it's essential to stay calm and follow the necessary steps to ensure your safety and get help as quickly as possible. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to do if your car breaks down in the UK.
Here's what to do to stay safe before contacting assistance:
1. Ensure You're in a Secure Location:
- If feasible, move your vehicle off the road (watch for soft verges).
- On conventional motorways, pull onto the hard shoulder as far left as possible with the wheels turned left.
- On smart motorways, aim for an emergency refuge area (ERA) or exit slip road. Position your vehicle within the marked area aligned with the emergency telephone. Notify the Regional Control Centre from the ERA before leaving.
- Never leave an ERA without clearance from authorities.
- If unable to reach an ERA or slip road, activate hazard lights, position the vehicle leftward, and call 999. In low visibility, keep side lights on.
- If it's safe, exit the vehicle through the left-hand door, stand clear behind the barrier or on the embankment upstream of traffic.
- Once National Highways relocates your vehicle, inform your breakdown provider of the new location. Keep animals inside the car
2. Wear a Reflective Jacket for Visibility.
3. Use Warning Triangles Cautiously:
- On motorways, it's unsafe to use warning triangles.
- On roads, if safe, place a warning triangle at least 45m (50 yards) behind your vehicle.
Ensuring Safety in Vulnerable Situations
For Individuals with Disabilities:
- Keep your seatbelt fastened.
- Activate your hazard warning lights.
- Call for assistance or dial 999 if facing immediate danger.
Feeling Threatened by Another Person:
- Re-enter your vehicle using the left-hand door and secure all doors.
- Exit again once you believe the threat has subsided.
Unable to Reach the Hard Shoulder:
- Remain in your vehicle unless absolutely certain it's safe to exit.
- Activate hazard lights, keep seatbelt fastened, and contact emergency services.
This article is designed to offer general advice and may not apply to every insurance, broker, insurer, cover or policy. You would need to check the individual policy benefits of each cover with your insurer or broker.
