| Car Breakdowns | << Back to Education |
If you break down, where to stop and what to do
If you've broken down it can be hard and often dangerous to stop.
Get your vehicle off the road if possible and warn other traffic by using your hazard warning lights, particularly if your vehicle is causing an obstruction.
Here are our tips on how to stop safely and call for help.
Breakdown on a Motorway
If an emergency forces you to stop:
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Pull on to the hard shoulder and stop as far to the left as possible with the wheels turned to the left. |
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Leave your sidelights on and turn on the hazard warning lights. |
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Get out of the vehicle by the left-hand door and make sure that all your passengers do the same. |
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Leave animals in the vehicle or, in an emergency, keep them under proper control on the verge. |
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If you have reflective jackets in the vehicle wear them. Do not use a warning triangle on the hard shoulder. |
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Make sure that passengers keep away from the carriageway and hard shoulder, and that children are kept under control. It is best to retreat up the bank, or behind a barrier if this is possible. |
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Don't attempt even simple repairs. |
Calling for Help
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Once in a safe place, use your mobile phone to contact the police or highways agency. |
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If you don't have a mobile walk to an emergency telephone on your side of the carriageway – never attempt to cross the carriageway. |
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Follow the arrows on the posts at the back of the hard shoulder – the phone is free and connects directly to the police/Highways Agency. |
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Give full details to the police and tell them if you are a vulnerable motorist, such as a woman travelling alone. |
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If you feel at risk from another person, return to your vehicle by a left-hand door and lock all doors. Leave your vehicle again as soon as you feel this danger has passed. |
Rejoining the Carriageway
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Build up speed on the hard shoulder and watch for a safe gap in the traffic before rejoining the carriageway. |
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Be aware that other vehicles may be stationary on the hard shoulder. |
Breakdown on a Road
Get your vehicle off the road if possible and warn other traffic by using your hazard warning lights, particularly if your vehicle is causing an obstruction.
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If you have a reflective jacket, put it on. |
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If you have any fear that your vehicle may be struck by other traffic make all your passengers get out of the car and get well away from the traffic. Question whether it is safe for you to fix the car or whether you need professional help. |
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If it is safe and you have one, put a warning triangle or other permitted warning device on the road at least 45 metres (50 yards) behind your broken down vehicle on the same side of the road. Always take great care when doing this. |
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Keep your sidelights on if it is dark or visibility is poor. |
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Do not stand (or let anybody else stand), between your vehicle and oncoming traffic. |
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At night or in poor visibility do not stand where you will prevent other road users seeing your lights. |
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If you have used a warning triangle remember to retrieve it, with care, when the breakdown is over. |
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has compiled this information to be used for educational purposes only
