Vehicle Breakdown
Ensure you have completed your vehicle daily inspections prior to travelling. Read in full your scheme, trust or agency's vehicle usage policies and procedures, and take note of breakdown/RTC processes prior to travelling
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 breakdown service - Your agency will have local guidance on this, please ensure you know this information before responding.
Motorway Breakdown
1. Take your car off the motorway
Try to leave the motorway at the nearest exit or by pulling into a service station.
If this isn’t possible, pull over onto the hard shoulder and stop your car as far to the left as possible with your wheels also turned to the left.
2. 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.
DO NOT:
attempt any repairs yourself
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
Smart motorway breakdown
If you cannot 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
DO NOT:
attempt any repairs yourself
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
Source: RAC