Breakdowns and Incidents

From an emergency area, you MUST use the emergency telephone provided and follow the operator’s advice for exiting the emergency area. A lane may need to be closed so that you can rejoin the carriageway safely.

If your vehicle breaks down, think first of all other road users and put a warning triangle on the road at least 45 metres (147 feet) behind your broken-down vehicle on the same side of the road, or use other permitted warning devices if you have them.

If an incident involves a vehicle containing dangerous goods, follow the advice in Rule 283 and, in particular: switch off engines and DO NOT SMOKE. Keep well away from the vehicle and do not be tempted to try to rescue casualties. Call the emergency services and give as much information as possible about the labels and markings. DO NOT use a mobile phone close to a vehicle carrying flammable loads.

If you can’t get your vehicle to the left lane or a place of relative safety, and exit your vehicle safely, you should: stay in your vehicle, keep your seat belts and hazard warning lights on, call 999 immediately and ask for the police.

If you are involved in an incident or collision or stop to give assistance: move uninjured people away from the vehicles to a place of relative safety. DO NOT move injured people from their vehicles unless they are in immediate danger.

Always take great care when placing or retrieving them, but never use them on motorways.

To rejoin the carriageway after a breakdown from a hard shoulder, build up speed, indicate and watch for a safe gap in the traffic.

The safest place to stop is a location which is designed for parking. On motorways and other high-speed roads, the safest place to stop is a service area.

If anything falls from a vehicle on to a motorway or other high-speed road, DO NOT remove the obstruction yourself. Stop in a place of relative safety and call the emergency services on 999.

When passing the scene of an incident, remain alert for hazards (such as debris or slow-moving vehicles) and do not slow down unnecessarily. You should focus on the road ahead when passing an incident because a lack of attention may cause a further incident.