Drivers facing a sudden emergency are being urged to follow three crucial steps.
The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has urged motorists to always “be prepared” should their car suddenly break down whilst on the motorway. This scenario can prove particularly perilous during rush hour when heavy congestion clogs up motorway lanes.
Should a car break down on the motorway, it is typically recommended to attempt moving the vehicle onto the hard shoulder where it remains safely clear of traffic. Nevertheless, this isn’t always feasible, particularly if you’re not positioned in the left lane when the breakdown occurs or if the motorway section lacks a hard shoulder.
Posting on X, the DVSA stated: “Would you know what to do if your vehicle broke down on the motorway? If you can’t reach a place of relative safety, you should: stay in your vehicle; keep your seat belt and hazard warning lights on; call 999 immediately.”
Guidance for if your vehicle breaks down
Adhering to some essential advice could help minimise your risk of a collision with another vehicle should you break down on the motorway. For instance, rule 275 of the Highway Code declares: “If you need to stop your vehicle in the event of a breakdown or incident, try to stop in a place of relative safety. A place of relative safety is where you, your passengers and your vehicle are less likely to be at risk from moving traffic.
“The safest place to stop is a location which is designed for parking. On motorways and other high-speed roads, the safest place to stop is a service area.”
Should a services not be accessible, the Highway Code alternatively recommends attempting to pull into a lay-by, an emergency zone, or the hard shoulder.
Nevertheless, it also warns: “Be aware that hard shoulders provide less protection than other places of relative safety because they are so close to high-speed traffic.
“You and your passengers should, where possible, keep well away from your vehicle and moving traffic. Otherwise moving traffic could collide with your vehicle, forcing it into you and your passengers.”
Rule 276 of the Highway Code also offers some extra guidance on what motorists can do should their vehicle break down.
First and foremost, it emphasises that you should always consider other road users and how your actions might impact them.
It also recommends to:
- Put a warning triangle on the road at least 45 metres (147 feet) behind your broken-down vehicle on the same side of the road, or use other permitted warning devices if you have them. Always take great care when placing or retrieving them, but never use them on motorways
- If possible, keep your sidelights on if it is dark or visibility is poor
- Warn other traffic by using your hazard warning lights if your vehicle is causing an obstruction
- Get your vehicle off the road if possible
- At night or in poor visibility do not stand where you will prevent other road users seeing your lights
- Help other road users see you by wearing light-coloured or fluorescent clothing in daylight and reflective clothing at night or in poor visibility
- Do not stand (or let anybody else stand) between your vehicle and oncoming traffic