You get a puncture on the motorway. You manage to get your vehicle onto the hard shoulder. You should _________.

Related Information

What to do in case of breaking down on the motorway?

A motorway breakdown is a perilous situation to be in at any time. Here's what to do if it occurs to you:

- Park as far to the left as you can on the hard shoulder.

- Completely turn the steering wheel to the left to point the front wheels to the left in order to prevent your car from being pushed back onto the road if you are struck by another vehicle.

- Your hazard warning lights should be on. Turn on your sidelights if it is dark out or there is limited visibility.

- Use the left-hand doors to get out of your car and wait on the verge or as far away from the roadway as you can.

- Leave any animals in your car if you have any.

- Make an emergency service call. Use your mobile phone if you are between two intersections and are aware of your location. If you are unsure of where you are, go to the closest emergency phone and dial from there. This will pinpoint your location.

- Do not try to repair your vehicle.

- Wait for the emergency services on the grassy bank as far away from the carriageway as you can.

- Turn on your hazard warning lights if your car is unable to reach the hard shoulder. When it is absolutely safe, get out of your car. Remember that other vehicles on the road are probably moving at 70 mph. Move to the hard shoulder after exiting.


What is an Emergency Telephone on a motorway?

On the UK's motorway network, emergency telephones are typically orange and are located at regular intervals. These phones allow you to reach the police directly, who will then put you through to the Highways Agency Regional Control Centre. In regard to the phone you are using, the staff at the Highways Agency Regional Control Centre will ask you what happened and whereabouts your vehicle is. The control centre will then contact the nearest patrol to come to help you, along with any necessary emergency services.


How to Use an Emergency Telephone?

- You should make your way over to the emergency phone on your side of the road on foot.

- Following the arrows on the posts at the back of the hard shoulder is the simplest and fastest way to find an emergency phone.

- Don't worry, using an emergency phone won't cost you any money; it's free to use and connects directly to the Highways Agency or the police.

- Use the emergency phone instead of a mobile phone whenever possible because you will reach the right people more quickly, which means you will be located and assisted more quickly.

- Even if you are on the hard shoulder and making a call to request help, you should always face the traffic when speaking on the phone and be mindful of what is occurring on the motorway.

- Whether there was an accident or a breakdown, you should report all the circumstances to the Highways Agency or the police.

- Let the control centre know if there are passengers in your car who require special help so that they can try to give your call priority.

- Let the control centre know if you are traveling alone, and they will endeavor to give your call priority.

- When the call is over, you should always head back to where your car is parked. You should keep some space between you and your vehicle as you wait away from the carriageway. A live carriageway is an extremely hazardous location.

- Since you can't predict when assistance will arrive, it's important to keep yourself warm while you wait.