PART 2: What to do if you break down on the motorway

19 November 2008 :

by compareandsave.com Editors

Part 2 of our Breakdown Cover special will guide you through what to do if you break down on the motorway.

The procedures for what to do if you break down on the motorway are quite different to those you need to follow if you break down on any other type of road (we will talk you through these next week in Part 3).

If you find you are in a situation where you need to stop your vehicle, it can be both dangerous and hard, especially on a motorway. The first thing that you must remember is that motorway hard shoulders are only for emergency use and you should only stop on one if you find you really have no other choice. If you can, it is best to try and find a place off the motorway to pull over.

The hard shoulder is not to be used to go to the toilet, have a quick nap, use your mobile phone or for reading maps/checking routes.

If you do need to stop in an emergency on the motorway, here’s what the AA advises you to do. Why not print off a copy and keep it in your glove box in case you ever need it. Don’t forget to keep your breakdown cover details with your vehicle too.

1. Pulling over

Pull over to the hard shoulder and stop your vehicle as far over to the left as you can. Make sure you leave your wheels turned over to the left so that if another vehicle happens to hit your vehicle, it will travel further into the verge and not out into the main carriageway. Leave your sidelights and hazard lights turned on.
Try your best to stop close to an emergency telephone. These can be found at around one mile intervals along the hard shoulder.

2. Exiting your vehicle

Exit your vehicle by the left-hand door, making sure all passengers in the vehicle do the same.
Leave any animals in your vehicle if you can. In an emergency, take them from the left hand side of the vehicle and keep them well under control on the verge (on a lead or in a cage).

3. Making yourself seen

If you have reflective clothing in your vehicle, put it on
DO NOT use a reflective triangle.

4. Getting help

DO NOT attempt any repairs, no matter how simple they are.
Walk to the nearest emergency telephone on your side of the motorway. You can follow the arrows found on the posts on the far side of the hard shoulder. This telephone is free to use and will connect you straight to the police. It is better to use these phones instead of a mobile phone as it will be easier for help to locate you.
Only use your mobile telephone if you cannot leave your vehicle for any reason and you are sure that you can accurately describe your location to your breakdown cover provider – you will find reference numbers on all the telephones and marker posts.
Give all your details o the police/breakdown cover provider and also tell them if you are vulnerable, i.e. a woman travelling alone or with children or have a disability.

5. When help is on its way

Go back to your vehicle and wait near it, keeping as far away as possible from the motorway and hard shoulder. The AA advises you to wait up the bank or behind a barrier if you can.
If a situation arises where you begin to feel at risk from another motorist, get back into your vehicle via the left-hand door and lock all of the doors. Exit your vehicle as soon as you feel the danger has gone.

6. Leaving the hard shoulder

The first thing you need to do before leaving the hard shoulder is to build up speed whilst looking out for a safe gap in the moving traffic.
Be on the lookout for other vehicles parked up on the hard shoulder.

7. Can’t get on the hard shoulder...?

Switch on your vehicle’s hazard lights
DO NOT try to put any type of ‘warning device’ on the motorway
Exit your vehicle only when you know you can safely get across the carriageway to safety by the hard shoulder

8. If you have a disability so cannot follow the advice above