It’s also worth checking your headlights and brake lights are working correctly, and don’t ignore dashboard warning lights. Check the vehicle’s manual to establish what the issue is and abandon the trip if it cannot be resolved.
Plan your trip and, if possible, aim to travel at quieter times, which are usually the afternoon and evening of Fridays, and mid-morning to mid-afternoon on Sunday and Monday. Lastly, make sure you have the details of your breakdown recovery provider with you.
So, you have packed and done all the necessary checks, but halfway through the journey your car starts to splutter to a halt. It is imperative to stay calm and get your vehicle into a safe place. If you are on a motorway, see if you can nurse the car to the next exit but if you can’t, pull up on to the hard shoulder and stop as far to the left as you can, with the wheels turned to the left.
Turn on the hazard lights, and if it’s dark or foggy keep your sidelights on, too.
Once your car has come to a stop, get out using the nearside doors and wait behind the barrier. Take your mobile phone, clothing, food, drink and medication with you. If you can, move up the bank to a position behind the car, but leave animals in the car.
Call your roadside assistance provider, but do not attempt to repair the car, or replace the tyre in the event of a puncture. If you do not have a mobile phone or you have no signal, then walk to the nearest emergency phone box.
If you have packed your hi-visibility jacket put it on so that the roadside recovery agent can easily identify you.
If you are unfortunate enough to break down in the middle of carriageway or on a live lane of a smart motorway, immediately turn on your hazard lights. If you can’t get over to the left-hand lane, stay in the car, leave your seat belt on and call 999. See the National Highways Go Left campaign for more details
If you find yourself stranded on a busy A-road the guidance is similar to that on a motorway, in that you should try to find the safest place to stop and stay as far as you can to the left. Put on your hazard warning lights and if it’s dark leave the sidelights on.
If you have a hi-visibility vest, put it on before you leave the car and wait somewhere safe. If you are on a quieter road, it is perfectly acceptable to stay in your car but on busy roads and dual carriageways it will be safer to wait somewhere away from the traffic. Again, call your breakdown recovery provider and ensure you have all your food, drink and necessary medication to hand.
National Highways Head of Road Safety, Jeremy Phillips, said: “We know that breaking down can be a very upsetting experience, nobody wants to start off their holiday stranded at the side of the road, next to fast moving traffic. That’s why we are reminding drivers to check their vehicles before setting off over the Bank Holiday weekend, particularly the tyres.
“Unsafe tyres put you and others at risk as well increasing your chances of attracting a hefty fine and penalty points. A simple check on tyre tread and pressure could prevent a breakdown and help make sure you get to your destination safe and well.”
Start Rescue’s Managing Director, Lee Puffett, said: “The August bank holiday weekend is a golden opportunity for a bit of a relaxation before the school summer term starts, but it is vital you make all the necessary checks on your vehicle, that you plan your journey and refamiliarise yourself with the Highway Code concerning breakdowns on motorways and A roads in particular.
“If you are unlucky enough to break down, this information will be fresh in your mind to ensure you take all the steps to make sure you are safe. The worst thing you can do is panic, particularly when traffic is rushing past your stricken vehicle. It’s important to stay calm while help is on its way.”
