What To Do If Your Car Breaks Down

It’s a situation that nobody wants, but do you know what to do if your car breaks down? In our last article, published on the K&M Tyres website, we looked at four of the most common causes of vehicle breakdowns, with a flat or faulty battery being the main culprit. This time we look at what you do if your car breaks down, using helpful advice from the various motoring organisations. We consider the various locations to give you a concise guide with information supplied by the AA, RAC and the Highway Code. We also give you advice if you breakdown in various locations such as on a motorway, car park or rural area.

General things to do if your car breaks down

• Try to ensure your vehicle is in a safe place
• Wear a high-vis reflective jacket
• Position a warning triangle
• Contact a breakdown service

Think safety first if your car breaks down

The Highway Code details what to do if your car breaks down in Rule 276. It advises that you think first about all other road users.

• Take your vehicle off the road if at all possible
• Turn on hazard warning lights if your vehicle is causing an obstruction to warn other traffic
• Wear light-coloured or fluorescent clothing in daylight and reflective clothing at night or in poor visibility to help other road users
• Place 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.
• Keep your sidelights on if at all possible particularly 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

Always take great care when placing or retrieving warning triangles or other devices.  Never use them on motorways.

Breakdowns on the motorway, in car parks and rural areas

Guidance as to what to do if your car breaks down does vary depending on the location. Here we outline some of the points that are associated with that particular spot.

• Motorway
• Smart motorway
• Car park
• City or town
• Dual carriageway or A road
• Country lane or remote area

Motorways

Motorways can be very dangerous places to breakdown. And knowing what to do if your car breaks down here is certainly worth knowing. Try to exit the motorway or pull onto the hard shoulder if at all possible.

• Turn on hazard warning lights
• Keep sidelights on
• Leave pets in the car
• If you get out of your car – use a door facing away from passing traffic
• Call for help
• Walk to a FREE emergency phone if you don’t have a mobile
• Wait in a safe place

Try to get to an Emergency Refuge Area (ERA) if you breakdown on a Smart motorway. If you are in a live lane, call 999. If you are stopped in an ERA, you will need to use the SOS phone and contact the Regional Control Centre.

Car Park

What to do if your car breaks down here? This is possibly one of the safest spots. Call for breakdown assistance or notify your local garage. When help is on the way, open the car bonnet so you can be spotted. Also make sure you have covered your parking costs. You don’t want a large parking fine on top of repair costs.

City or town

This may be difficult, if not impossible, but try to get to a safe place. Put hazard lights on and open your bonnet as it will identify you have a problem to other drivers. Stay close to your vehicle, but stand in a safe place.

Dual carriageway or A-road

If you can, leave the road at the next exit or pull into a layby or drive onto the verge. Make your car as visible as possible and use hazard warning lights and car lights. Place a warning triangle behind the vehicle and stay upstream of coming traffic.

Remote area or country lane

Get in touch with a family member or friend to let them know what has happened and you are safe. Although this is one of the safest places to breakdown, sit in the car with doors locked if you feel vulnerable and wait for help to arrive.

How can K&M Citroen help?

We hope you have found this helpful so that you have all the information of what to do if your car breaks down. We are a Castrol Service Centre and do servicing for most makes of vehicle and offer a low cost oil change service. Call us on 01892 653131 to book your vehicle in. K&M Tyres is a small independent garage located in Crowborough, East Sussex.