Breaking Down on the Motorway

Highways England have provided some advice on what to do if you should do if you break down on a motorway.

If your vehicle appears to have problems or is damaged, always try to exit the motorway. If that’s not possible, you should follow these steps: 

• Use an emergency area if you can reach one safely. These are marked with blue signs featuring an orange SOS telephone symbol.
• If you can’t get to the emergency telephone but have a mobile phone with you, call our customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000. Why not save this number in your phone, so its available when you need it.
• If you can’t get to the hard shoulder or an emergency area but your vehicle can be driven, move it as close as possible to the nearside (left hand) verge or other nearside boundary or slip road.
• If you feel you can exit safely with any occupants, consider exiting your vehicle via the nearside (left hand) door, and wait behind the safety barrier if there is one and it’s safe to do so.
• Keep clear of your vehicle and moving traffic at all times. For example, If your vehicle gets hit, you’re out of the way.
• Switch on your hazard warning lights and any other lights such as rear fog lights or side lights, to increase your visibility especially if it’s dark or foggy.
• Do not put out a warning triangle.
• Contact your breakdown recovery service. All motorists should be able to make their own recovery arrangements in the event of a breakdown. We advise you to carry details of your provider with you.
• If it’s not possible to exit your vehicle safely, there’s no safe place to wait, or you feel your life is in danger, put your hazard warning lights on and stay in your vehicle with your seat belt on. If you have a mobile phone, dial ‘999’ immediately