How To Be Prepared In The Event Of A Vehicle Breakdown

Every year there are in excess of 8.5 million car breakdowns & recovery call-outs. Even new and well-maintained cars can break down. We have therefore created the following list of good tips to help you stay safe:

• At the first sign of trouble on the motorway, move into the inside lane and leave the motorway at the next exit, or pull into the first service area you reach. If you cannot travel that far, move onto the hard shoulder.
• Pull over to the hard shoulder, position the car as far to the left as possible, well clear of traffic and switch on your hazard lights. If it is dark or visibility is poor, keep the sidelights on. Get out by a left-side door or if you are forced to use the right side, wait for a gap in the traffic as the rush of air from a fast-moving vehicle could drag you off your feet.
• If you have a warning triangle, position it about 150m behind the car and weigh it down if possible. Move away from the hard shoulder as soon as possible, particularly in dark, wet or windy conditions. Stay near the car but well away from the roadside, on the embankment for example. If travelling alone, leave the front passenger door unlocked so you can get in if you feel threatened.
• If you have no alternative but to stop in a driving lane, switch on your hazard lights. Leave the car if you are certain that you can get across the carriageway to somewhere safe. If in any doubt, stay in the car with your seat belt on until the emergency services arrive.
• If the breakdown occurs on another type of road just beyond a bend or brow of a hill, place the warning triangle on the other side of the road to give drivers behind plenty of warning. As with a motorway, park off the road if possible and switch on the hazard lights.
• To find the nearest emergency telephone on a motorway, follow the direction of the arrow on the marker posts set at approximately 90 metre intervals on the hard shoulder. Never cross the carriageway to use a telephone and always face the traffic when speaking into the receiver to see any danger approaching.
• Motorway telephones are linked to the police who will ask for the telephone box number, the make, model and registration number of your car and what the problem might be. The telephones are two-way, so the police can call you back.
• On other roads, find the nearest telephone to call for assistance - most service stations and pubs have a payphone. If it is dark and you have some distance to walk, wear something light or carry something light-coloured, a plastic bag for example, so that drivers can see you.
• Be wary of accepting help from strangers and tell anyone who approaches that the police have been informed of your breakdown and that help is on its way. If a police or breakdown organisation's car pulls up, ask to see identification.
• The best thing to do before you start any journey is to check that you have your mobile phone with you that is charged and has credit if necessary. This is particularly useful if you break down in a remote area or don't want to leave your car to call for help. It also advisable to join a recovery organisation.