SAFETY PROCEDURE WHEN YOUR CAR BREAKS DOWN
Jul 11, 2024
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Experiencing car trouble can be unnerving and exasperating. Despite this, it's crucial to keep your composure and prioritize finding a secure location if your vehicle breaks down.
I’ve broken down
Stay calm and think of other road users
Attempt to pull over so you’re off the road
Turn on your hazard lights
Leave the car by the left-hand door and ensure you’re wearing light-coloured clothes or a hi-vis vest (especially at night or when visibility is low)
Take your warning triangle and place it 45 metres (147 feet) behind your vehicle, that’s about 60 paces. Don’t do this on a motorway.
If visibility is poor or you’re stood waiting for help at night, keep your sidelights switched on and make sure you’re not blocking others from seeing your lights
Finally, call your AD Recovery for breakdown service or vehicle recovery at 07774775123 or contact us through Whatapp
if you've broken down on a motorway
Exit the motorway at the closest opportunity or pull into a service area. If unable to do so, move onto the hard shoulder, positioning your vehicle as far left as feasible, with your wheels also angled leftward.
Activate your hazard lights, and in low visibility or nighttime conditions, switch on sidelights as well. Ensure all occupants exit via the left-hand door, donning high-visibility vests if available. Scale the safety barriers to maintain a safe distance from oncoming vehicles. Remain in this protected area while awaiting assistance.
Breakdown assistance, contact us @ 07774775123 through Call or Whatapp. Without a mobile, locate an emergency phone along your side of the motorway. These phones are spaced approximately every mile and serve as location markers for breakdown services. Use the free emergency phone facing traffic. Remember to inform the operator of any special requirements you may have.
Do not…
place a warning triangle anywhere on the motorway, that includes dual carriageways
stand on the carriageway or stand between your car and other passing vehicles
Broken down on a smart motorway Your car may break down on a smart motorway without a hard shoulder. If you break down on one of these roads you should:
Try to take your car off the motorway Move to the left-hand lane with your hazard lights on, then exit the motorway at the nearest junction, service station, or emergency refuge area – you can find these safe sections of road by following orange SOS signs.
Leave your car safely and stand away from traffic Turn on your hazards and if you’ve broken down at night or visibility is low, use your sidelights too. Make sure you and your passengers leave the car using the left-hand door, wearing hi-vis jackets if you have them. Climb over the safety barriers to distance yourself from passing traffic. Wait for help here.
Use the emergency phone service You MUST use the emergency telephone found in the emergency refuge area and give as much information to the operator as you can. You can ask the highways agency to contact the AD Recovery on your behalf. When you’ve completed the call, stand behind the emergency barrier.
Do not…
Attempt any repairs yourself
place a warning triangle anywhere on the motorway, including the dual carriageway
stand on the carriageway, or between your car and other passing vehicles
If Broken down on a smart motorway and can’t get to an emergency refuge area
Try moving your car as far over to the left-hand verge as possible.
Only if it’s safe to do so, leave the car along with your passengers using the left-hand door and wait behind any safety barriers.
Call 999 immediately.
IMPORTANT - If your car unexpectedly stops in a lane away from the verge, do not attempt to get out.
Keep your seatbelts and hazards on and call 999 immediately.
If your car breaks down on a country road
Activate hazards and pull over safely
Exit the vehicle when it's clear to do so
Set up a warning triangle 30-45m behind your car
Find a safe spot off-road and wear high-visibility gear if available
Contact us for breakdown service assistance @ 07774775123 through Call or Whatapp.
Wait safely and avoid attempting repairs unless you're a qualified mechanic
If you have any questions for us, leave them in the comments below.
