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What
if your car breaks down on a motorway? |
Breaking down on a motorway can be quite scary,
and dangerous. The most important point to note
is, where possible find a safer place to stop,
only stop on the hard shoulder if you don't have
a choice, and only if it's an emergency. Do not
use the hard shoulder for toilet breaks, map
reading or to use your phone, not only is this
dangerous but you could be prosecuted for misappropriate
use of the hard shoulder. If your car breaks
down on a motorway,
follow these simple rules;
- Pull onto the
hard shoulder, steer your car as far to the
left hand side of the lane as is possible.
When you stop, leave your front wheels
pointing left. Turn on your side lights and
your hazard lights. If you cannot make it to
the hard shoulder dial 999 and ask for
police assistance, then call your car breakdown
provider. Do not place any reflective
devices on the carriageway. Only leave your
vehicle when you are clear of the
carriageway.
- Leave your
vehicle by the left hand door, and ensure
all other occupants do the same. Leave any
animals in the car unless you're able to
properly restrain them by the roadside, and
wear something reflective. Do not place any
reflective devices on the carriageway (i.e.
a triangle).
- Ensure that
everyone stays away from the road, under no
circumstances should you ever try to cross a
motorway. Move everyone a safe distance from
the vehicle, either behind the barrier or up
the embankment is best. Ensure children and
animals are kept under control. Do not
attempt to repair your car, no matter how
minor the problem is.
- Once you are
a safe distance from the vehicle call for
assistance (see telephone numbers below), be
prepared to provide accurate details of your
location so that you can be found easily.
Roadside location signs, markers, or
telephones have identification numbers on
them. If you do not have a mobile phone, use
an SOS roadside phone, these calls are free
and are routed to the police/highways agency
and your location will be easily identifiable
from the telephone that you are using. If
you do not have a car breakdown policy, see relevant
section below.
- If you feel
you may be at risk from another person,
return to your vehicle (entering via the
left side door) and lock your doors until
the potential danger has passed.
- When re-joining
the carriageway accelerate slowly until your
speed matches that of traffic already on the
carriageway, before pulling off the hard
shoulder. Also be aware of other stationary
traffic on the hard shoulder in front of
you.
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What
if your car breaks down on another road? |
While on any other road your actions may be a
bit different to those you would take on a
motorway. Follow these easy steps;
- If possible
remove your vehicle from the road, if you
are unable to do this warn other vehicles
that you are there by turning on your hazard
lights. Leave your side lights on if it is
dark or if visibility is poor.
- If you are at
all concerned that your vehicle is at risk
of being hit by other traffic, make all passengers
get out of your car and move a safe distance
away. Ensure that anyone outside of the car,
are standing well clear of the road and
other traffic (if it is dark or there is
poor visibility, ensure there is nothing
obstructing your lights from the view of
other traffic - this includes people
standing in front of them).
- If you have a
reflective triangle (or any other permitted
warning device) place this approximately 45
meters behind your vehicle, on the same side
of the road. Only do this if it is
absolutely safe to do so.
- Decide if it
safe to conduct any required repair work,
but only do so if it is safe. If it is not
then;
- Use your
mobile phone to call for assistance (see
telephone numbers below).
- Once your
ready to get mobile again, remember to
remove any warning devices (such as a
warning triangle) which you had previously
positioned in the road.
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What
do I do if I have breakdown cover? |
The answer is simple, call them on the relevant
number below, and they will come and assist you
as per your policy terms.
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What
do I do if I don't have breakdown cover? |
If your car breaks down and do not have breakdown
cover, you have the following options;
- Call a
breakdown provider and request instant
cover. You will pay a premium on top of the
regular yearly fee which will generally be
in the region of an extra £65 - £100. The
provider will generally request you to pay
this in full before they will come and offer
assistance, you do not have the option to
pay monthly.
- You can call
the police for assistance. They will recover
your vehicle from the motorway to a safe
place, but you can expect to pay at least
£100 for this. They will only take you to a
safe place, so may still have to pay more to
have your vehicle recovered to a location
which is convenient to yourself.
- Call a local
mechanic if you have a telephone number for
one. There will usually be a call out fee of
£50 plus a rate per mile towed which will
be somewhere in the region of £1.25 -
£1.75 per mile.
As you can see,
it's much better to be prepared and take out an
annual car breakdown policy rather than to have your
day completely ruined at the last moment, not to
mention all the hassle involved if you are not
covered. Considering how cheap basic breakdown
cover actually is, it makes so much sense to
cover yourself rather than being a risker. We
have a comprehensive
car breakdown cover comparison tool which
will assist you in choosing the most suitable
breakdown plan - don't leave it to chance, this
can be really expensive.
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