Breaking Down on the Motorway

There really is nothing worse that breaking down on the motorway – it can be a rather unsettling, sometimes alarming experience. If your vehicle develops a problem while you are driving on the motorway, leave the motorway at the next exit or pull into a nearby service area. If neither of these options are possible, pull over on to the hard shoulder and stop as far to the left as possible, and preferably close to an emergency telephone; these are free of charge and connect directly to the Highways Agency or the police.

Under no circumstances should you leave your vehicle unattended. When getting out, always do so on the left hand side. When speaking on the phone, always face the oncoming traffic.

If you are able to re-join the carriageway after a breakdown, you must do so safely by first building up speed along the hard shoulder and waiting for a safe gap to join in the traffic. Also be aware that other vehicles might be stationary on the hard shoulder.

Safe driving from Britannia!