Colder climate usually triggers an increase in automobile breakdowns, with rain and frost impacting driving situations. And people automobiles which haven’t been nicely maintained over the summer season months are significantly in danger throughout harsher climate situations.
In reality, searches for for ‘automobile restoration close to me’ have risen by a 85% within the final three months, whereas searches for ‘breakdown cowl uk’ have risen by 50% over the identical time interval.
To assist those that might discover themselves on this state of affairs, the specialists at Bristol Road Motors have shared what to do in case your automobile breaks down.
What to do in case your automobile breaks down on a motorway:
1. Head left
The very first thing to do is stay calm. As quickly as you’re conscious that your automobile is breaking down, you have to flip your hazards on to inform different highway customers that you could be be slowing down, shifting lanes or stopping.
If you happen to can, attempt to head left. This implies aiming for a tough shoulder or the closest exit to keep away from inflicting an obstruction for different highway customers.
If there isn’t any laborious shoulder, resembling on a sensible motorway, it’s best to attempt to head for the closest exit or an Emergency Refuge Space (ERA). These are roughly each 1.5 miles and can be utilized in the event you break down. If you happen to can not attain one in all these, it’s best to head as far left as doable.
2. Exit your car promptly
After you have made it to a protected place, cease the automobile after which go away the car promptly and safely.
If visibility is low, it’s best to preserve your sidelights on and put on your brightest or most reflective clothes. When exiting the automobile, at all times attempt to go away through the passenger aspect as that is usually the most secure possibility. After you have exited the car, climb over the security barrier, and attempt to keep a protected distance away from any site visitors.
When you have not been capable of get into the laborious shoulder, ERA or left lane then you shouldn’t exit the car.
After you have made it to a place the place you and your car are as protected as doable, you have to contact your breakdown supplier or Highways England on 0300 123 5000.
In case your automobile is in any of the reside lanes on a motorway, you have to contact 999, even when you’ve got made it to a protected place.
Then, whereas ready, don’t return to your automobile except completely important.
What to do in the event you break down some place else?
If you happen to break down some place else, then there’ll most probably be no laborious shoulder, so the steps differ barely.
- Pull over in the event you can, for instance right into a lay-by or onto a quieter aspect highway.
- Flip in your hazard lights to point to different drivers that you’re there.
- Exit your car, whether it is protected to take action and stand behind a barrier or as distant from the highway as you will get.
- Discover your triangle warning signal and place it 45m (roughly 60 paces) away from the rear finish of your car. Nevertheless, it is very important keep in mind that it’s best to by no means do that on any type of motorway.
- Ring your breakdown firm as soon as it’s protected to take action and allow them to know the place you’re. If you don’t pay for breakdown cowl, you possibly can nonetheless name and ask for emergency help.
Calum Thomson, Aftersales Director at Bristol Road Motors has commented:
“Understanding what to do is vital on this type of state of affairs. When you have by no means skilled breaking down earlier than it could be a bit of scary. The primary factor to recollect is to not panic and deal with getting your self to a protected location earlier than calling for help.
“Sadly, over time there can be a sure stage of damage that can not be prevented. Nevertheless, we’d suggest getting your automobile recurrently serviced to assist determine any faults as early as doable to keep away from the probability of breaking down.
“And as we’re approaching winter, we’d additionally advise at all times protecting one thing heat and reflective in your automobile within the occasion you do must vacate your car and watch for help by the roadside.”
