If You Break Down
Where to stop and what to do
The AA was a founder member of SURVIVE, a group of people, organisations and agencies dedicated to the promotion of driving safety.
SURVIVE is a partnership between the Highways Agency who are responsible for managing the motorway network, the Association of Chief Police Officers, the breakdown/recovery industry, and other road service providers.
SURVIVE has been established to improve the safety of those who work on the road network and the travelling public.
The SURVIVE group has published a handy leaflet "Surviving the Hard Shoulder" which summarises best practice advice on what you should do if you breakdown on a motorway. Why not print a copy and keep it handy in the glovebox of your car?
Visit the Survive Group website »
AA Advice
If you've broken down it can be hard and often dangerous to stop. Here are our tips on how to stop safely and call for help.
On a motorway
Motorway hard shoulders are for emergency use only. You should only stop if it is a real emergency and you have no other choice. It's best to try to drive to a safer place off the motorway if you can rather than stopping on the hard shoulder.
You must not stop on the hard shoulder to:
- go to the toilet
- use a mobile phone
- check a route or map
What to do if an emergency forces you to stop
Pull on to the hard shoulder and stop as far to the left as possible, with your wheels turned to the left. Leave your sidelights on and use your hazard flashers.
Leave the vehicle by the left-hand door and ensure all your passengers do the same. Leave any animals in the vehicle or, in an emergency, keep them under proper control on the verge. If you have reflective jackets in the vehicle wear them. Do not use a reflective triangle.
Ensure that passengers keep away from the carriageway and hard shoulder, and that children are kept under control. It is best to retreat up the bank, or behind a barrier if this is possible.
Don't attempt even simple repairs.
Once you're in a safe place use a mobile phone to call the AA (for AA breakdown call 08457 887766), making sure you can describe your location – look out for the new Driver Location Signs (pictured) which will help us pinpoint your location and direction of travel, or there are reference numbers on all telephones and marker posts.
If you don't have a mobile walk to an emergency telephone on your side of the carriageway – You must never attempt to cross the carriageway. Follow the arrows on the posts at the back of the hard shoulder – the phone is free and connects directly to the police/Highways Agency. Give full details to the police; also inform them if you are a vulnerable motorist, such as a woman travelling alone.
If you feel at risk from another person, return to your vehicle by a left-hand door and lock all doors. Leave your vehicle again as soon as you feel this danger has passed.
Before you rejoin the carriageway after a breakdown, build up speed on the hard shoulder and watch for a safe gap in the traffic. Be aware that other vehicles may be stationary on the hard shoulder.
If you cannot get your vehicle onto the hard shoulder
- Do not attempt to place any warning device on the carriageway.
- Switch on your hazard warning lights.
- Leave your vehicle only when you can safely get clear of the carriageway.
If you have a disability which prevents you from following the advice above
- Stay in your vehicle.
- Switch on your hazard warning lights.
- If you have a car or mobile telephone, contact the emergency services and be prepared to advise them of your location.
On other roads
Get your vehicle off the road if possible and warn other traffic by using your hazard warning lights, particularly if your vehicle is causing an obstruction.
- If you have a reflective jacket, put it on.
- If you have any fear that your vehicle may be struck by other traffic make all your passengers get out of the car and get well away from the traffic. Question whether it is safe for you to fix the car or whether you need professional help.
- If it is safe and you have one, put a warning triangle or other permitted warning device on the road at least 45 metres (50 yards) behind your broken down vehicle on the same side of the road. Always take great care when doing this.
- Keep your sidelights on if it is dark or visibility is poor.
- Do not stand (or let anybody else stand), between your vehicle and oncoming traffic.
- At night or in poor visibility do not stand where you will prevent other road users seeing your lights.
- Use your mobile phone, or any other available phone, to summon assistance. Make sure you know where you have broken down. (For AA breakdown call 0800 887766 or, if calling from a mobile, 08457 887766.)
- If you have used a warning triangle remember to retrieve it, with care, when the breakdown is over.
Keep Safe, Keep Moving
The AA has helped the Highways Agency in the production of a video on the correct use of the hard shoulder on motorways.
The new film, called 'Keep Safe, Keep Moving', is presented by TV motoring journalist Quentin Willson. You can see it on the Public TV website.
30 June 2009