Breaking down is a nightmare and although frustrating it can be dangerous, particularly if you’re stuck on a busy dual carriageway or motorway. If your vehicle hasn’t broken down before, these tips will help you in your time of need!

If you break down on quieter roads

Although safer, you may obstruct other oncoming vehicles or potentially cause delays. Follow these tips to help you and other motorists stay safe!

1. Put your hazard warning lights on, as well as a reflective jacket if possible
2. If it’s dark, foggy or heavily raining, turn on your sidelights to increase your visibility
3. Ensure if you have any passengers that they are safely away from the vehicle
4. Call your breakdown cover provider and wait safely for assistance
5. Put your warning triangle a few metres behind your vehicle on the same side of the road. This prepares other motorists to slow down

Dual carriageways and motorways

These are the most dangerous roads to breakdown on due to the amount of cars and the high speeds. It’s important to get your vehicle off of the motorway as soon as possible if causing an obstruction.

The hard shoulder is for emergency use only so if you can try and drive to a safer place to park your vehicle. If you have no other choice than the hard shoulder, follow these actions:

1. Park as far to the left as you can in order to increase your distance away from the moving traffic
2. The priority is you and any passengers in your vehicle. When safe to do so, everyone should exit the vehicle on the left-hand side
3. Do not use your warning triangle, however, if you have a high-vis jacket, put it on as soon as possible
4. Contact your breakdown cover provider, informing them of your location and scenario. Wait safely away from the vehicle and the road until they arrive
5. Don’t under any circumstance try and repair the car yourself

If you can’t manage to get on to the hard shoulder…

• Switch on your hazard lights
• Try not to stop on a running lane
• Leave the vehicle only when safe to do so and don’t attempt to put any warning devices such as a triangle on the carriageway

During a breakdown situation, your safety, as well as any passengers you may have, is the top priority wait patiently and safely until the recovery arrives and then follow their professional advice.