Broken Down on the Motorway? Here’s What to Do

A breakdown on a motorway can happen at any moment and can be a stressful experience, but knowing exactly what to do can help you stay calm and ensure your safe. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to take if your vehicle breaks down on a motorway, so you're prepared for the unexpected.

As soon as you recognise there is a problem, it’s important to assess your surroundings to find the safest way to come to a stop, acting quickly and safely. Here's what you should do:

1. Find a Safe Stopping Place:

If you can, steer your car over to the hard shoulder of the motorway and turn on your hazard lights straight away to let other drivers know something's up. If it’s dark or visibility is poor, turn on your sidelights too, so other road users can see you better.

2. Exit the Vehicle Safely:

Once you've stopped, exit your vehicle from the left side (away from traffic). If you can't get to the hard shoulder, stay inside your vehicle with your seatbelt on and call 999 for help immediately. It’s better to stay inside than stepping out into busy traffic.

3. Wait Safely:

If you can exit the vehicle, move behind the barrier at the side of the road (if it's safe to do so). Avoid standing in front of or behind your vehicle and stay well away from traffic while you wait for help.

4. Call for Help:

Use your mobile phone to call for roadside assistance or use the nearest emergency phone located along the hard shoulder (these are marked with arrows every 100 meters). If you can’t get to the hard shoulder, contact the emergency services by calling 999.

Smart motorways are designed to improve traffic flow by opening and closing the hard shoulder when it’s safe to do so and by using variable speed limits, but they can make it more difficult to find a safe place to stop during a breakdown.

1. Identify Emergency Refuge Areas (ERAs):

On a smart motorway, the hard shoulder may be used as an active lane. If you can't stop on the hard shoulder, look for Emergency Refuge Areas (ERAs), which are marked with bright orange tarmac and blue signs with an SOS symbol. These areas provide a safe place to stop.

2. Call 999 for Assistance:

If you're struggling to get to an ERA, call 999 immediately. The authorities will have motorway cameras monitoring the motorway and can help direct traffic to keep you safe while you wait for assistance.

Many people ask, 'Do you need breakdown cover?'. Having breakdown cover is especially important if you do break down, and it also offers peace of mind should the unexpected happen. While it's not legally required, it’s highly recommended. Breakdown cover companies will help you out fast, so you don’t have to stress about getting stuck for hours.

Breakdown cover generally includes roadside assistance, recovery, and onward travel, so you'll hopefully be back on your way in no time.

To find the best deal, there are several comparison websites available online where you can compare breakdown cover, such as Compare the Market. Each breakdown provider offers different levels of cover, so once you've received your quotes, it’s important to carefully check that the policy includes everything you might need in a breakdown situation.

If your vehicle is fixable at the roadside, follow these steps to merge safely back onto the motorway:

1. Accelerate on the Hard Shoulder:

Before merging, gradually accelerate on the hard shoulder to match the flow of traffic. This will help make the merging smoother and safer.

2. Signal and Merge Safely:

Use your indicator to signal and merge back into traffic when it's safe. Ensure you have enough space to do so without cutting off other drivers.

3. Notify National Highways:

To ensure safety, you can also contact National Highways on 0300 123 5000 to inform them of your location and your intention to rejoin the motorway. They’ll be able to close lanes or send out warnings to approaching drivers.

If you're driving abroad, the rules for handling breakdowns may differ from those in the UK, so it's important to be prepared and familiarise yourself with these differences:

1. Understand Local Requirements:

In some countries, drivers are legally required to carry specific items, such as a high-visibility jacket and a warning triangle.

2. Check Your Breakdown Cover:

If your breakdown cover includes international coverage, you'll be covered for breakdowns while abroad. If not, consider purchasing additional coverage for the duration of your trip.

3. Call for Assistance:

Just like at home, call the local emergency number or your breakdown provider for help. Don’t forget to stay calm and follow their advice.

Smart motorways are becoming more common in the UK, with 396 miles of smart motorways across the UK as of April 2024, and they’re easy to spot. Look for overhead signs that display variable speed limits or lane closures. You'll also see Emergency Refuge Areas (ERAs), marked with bright orange tarmac and blue signs with an SOS symbol. The goal of smart motorways is to improve overall safety for all road users while also helping to ease traffic congestion.

It’s important to note that car insurance and breakdown cover are two separate things. While you can add breakdown cover as an add-on to your car insurance, it will increase your annual premium. Breakdown cover is not typically included in standard insurance policies. However, if you have a higher level of coverage, it may be included, depending on your insurance provider.

Having both types of cover is crucial, as you never know what might happen, whether it’s an accident or a breakdown.

By keeping up with regular vehicle maintenance through scheduled servicing, you can reduce the risk of a breakdown. During a service, your tyres will be checked to ensure they’re roadworthy, and your oil level and battery will be inspected to help prevent potential issues. You might also consider investing in a service plan, which can help manage overall maintenance costs by spreading them over a longer period of time.

Your breakdown cover may or may not include accident assistance, depending on the provider you choose. However, it's important to remember that car accidents require immediate contact with emergency services as your first point of contact, while breakdowns are handled directly by your breakdown provider. If you're ever uncertain about what to do after an accident, be sure to check out our blog for helpful guidance.

We have a wide range of new and used vehicles available on our website, all designed to keep you safe on the road.