Having a car breakdown on a motorway is significantly different to breaking down on an A, B or minor road. In this article we will cover some of the key points to bear in mind should you find yourself having to stop on the hard shoulder.
Firstly, you should never use the hard shoulder unless it is an emergency. You should not, for example, stop on the hard shoulder in order to go to the toilet, make a mobile phone call, or check a map. The hard shoulder should only be used if you cannot find a safer place off the motorway.
If you do need to stop on the motorway, try to pull as far left as possible into the hard shoulder, with your wheels turned in a leftward position. Make use of your hazard flashers and be sure to leave your sidelights on. When you or any passenger exit the vehicle, ensure this is done through the left hand doors, and wear any high visibility clothing you may have. Do not use a reflective triangle.
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.
If you have children or animals with you, make sure that they are kept under control at all times, and if possible, move up the bank as far as you can - and behind a barrier if there is one. Always try to ensure your safety location is behind the vehicle in case another vehicle collides with your vehicle. Because of the position next to the motorway, it is crucial that you do not attempt any repairs.
If you cannot get your vehicle onto the hard shoulder do not attempt to place any warning device on the carriageway. Switch on your hazard warning lights. Leave your vehicle only when you can safely do so and get clear of the carriageway.
If you have a disability which prevents from following the advice above stay in your vehicle. Switch on your hazard warning lights. Contact the emergency services and be prepared to advise of your location.
At night or in poor visibility do not stand where you will prevent other road users seeing your lights.
Once you are in a safe location, you should contact your car breakdown service provider and give the call handler as much detail about your position as you can. Driver Location Signs or marker posts may be nearby - if so, make a note of the information and inform your breakdown recovery provider. These signs help to identify your current position, your direction of travel and also, marker posts detail an arrow, pointing you in the direction of the nearest emergency SOS box which will contain an emergency phone. If this type of sign is not visible, look out for other landmarks or signs.
For those of you who have one of the latest mobile phones with multiple application capabilities or a compatible satnav device then utilising the features on these may help to provide accurate location details in determining where you are should there be difficulty in locating a marker post or use of a motorway emergency telephone.
If you do not have a mobile phone with which to call your car breakdown service, find an emergency phone on your side of the carriageway. Never try to cross the carriageway under any circumstances. Emergency phones connect directly to either the Police or the Highways Agency. Once again, identify your position and make the police aware if you are a vulnerable motorist, for example a lone female.
Once you have been attended to by your car breakdown provider, you should build up speed on the hard shoulder before re-joining the carriageway. Another key thing to remember when doing this is that there could be another vehicle on the hard shoulder, so be aware of possible obstructions ahead as well as traffic travelling behind you and enter the inside lane when there is a suitable gap to rejoin the traffic without making other motorists brake sharply to avoid you.
If you follow these simple instructions, you will speed up the process of having your breakdown dealt with, and you will be back on the road swiftly.
Author Resource:-
Dominic Rogers consults as an industry expert in the vehicle breakdown recovery services industry with many years experience in the field. You may contact him at www.startrescue.co.uk for all your Car Breakdown recovery enquires.
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