Breakdown Season Tips for Motorway Drivers

Breakdown season tips for motorway drivers

The body responsible for running England’s motorways has issued a range of safety advice for drivers as excited families get set to head off on their big summer break.

Highways England warned there were more than 48,500 motorway breakdowns between the final week of June and the first weekend of September last year.  It is expecting a further 700 breakdowns in the same period this year.

The body has now launched a new safety campaign which includes five basic safety tips on how to react if you break down on the motorway. This is the drill:

• Get away from the traffic: exit the motorway or get to an emergency area or hard shoulder and use the free phone provided.

• If that’s not possible, move left onto the verge.

• Get out of the left side of your car and behind the barrier if you can and it is safe to do so.

• Get help – contact your breakdown provider or Highways England on 0300 123 5000.

• If you are in moving traffic and cannot leave your car, keep your seatbelt and hazard lights on and call 999.

To avoid problems in the first place, drivers should:

• Check tyres. Before setting off on a long journey, inspect the condition of your tyres and make sure the pressures are suitable for your load (don’t forget to check the spare). Look out for cuts or wear and make sure the tyres have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm, which is the legal limit

• Check engine oil. Use your dipstick to check oil regularly and before any long journey and top up if needed. Take your car back to the garage if you are topping up more than usual.

• Check water. To ensure good visibility, always keep your screen wash topped up.

• Check lights. If your indicators, hazard lights, headlights, fog lights, reverse lights or brake lights are not functioning properly, you are putting yourself and your family at risk. In addition, light malfunctions can be a reason for your vehicle to fail its MoT.

• Check fuel. Before setting out, check your fuel levels and make sure you have enough to get to your destination.

The campaign also urges people to keep left when not overtaking (to help traffic flow more freely).

Drivers should make sure they react properly to the signs – including red X signs, which are used to close lanes, and variable speed limit signs which help improve traffic flow and tackle stop-start conditions.

Lanes can be closed by red Xs because of accidents or breakdowns, debris, or because of animals or people on the motorway.  Experts say it is essential drivers do not ignore them and it is an offence to do so. A series of radio, billboard and online adverts have been issued to remind drivers of the rules.

Highways England is the government-owned company responsible for running England’s motorways and major A road network. Its campaign is backed by the RAC, AA and IAM RoadSmart.