Regardless of years of highway security campaigns, a regarding variety of drivers are nonetheless getting the fundamentals mistaken relating to coping with breakdowns, particularly on fast-moving roads.Â
One significantly alarming discovering from a latest survey is that 1 in 10 drivers (13%) would place a warning triangle instantly subsequent to their broken-down car on a motorway—an motion explicitly suggested in opposition to as a result of excessive hazard of stepping right into a stay site visitors lane.
Whereas warning triangles may be helpful on quieter roads, they haven’t any place on motorways or sensible motorways, the place the dangers far outweigh the advantages. Getting into shifting site visitors, even to put a triangle 45 metres behind a car as suggested for different roads, is rarely protected in these environments. And but, 41% of drivers on common motorways and 31% on sensible motorways nonetheless say they might try it.
Motorways: Good vs. Conventional – A Worrying Divide
The statistics reveal a transparent distinction in driver behaviour relying on the kind of motorway. Whereas 92% of drivers mentioned they might activate hazard warning lights on an everyday motorway in the event that they broke down, that determine drops to 85% on a wise motorway. That 7% hole may appear small, however it’s vital after we keep in mind that many sensible motorway breakdowns happen in stay lanes, the place each second counts.
Equally, 92% of drivers would name their breakdown supplier if stranded on an everyday motorway—however solely 82% would do the identical on a wise motorway. Why this hesitation exists is unclear, however the penalties may be extreme. In any motorway breakdown, alerting emergency companies or a breakdown supplier shortly may help activate lane closures and scale back the danger of collisions.
Different responses observe the identical development. Whereas 88% of drivers would transfer onto the onerous shoulder if doable on an everyday motorway, simply 47% mentioned they might attempt to discover a refuge or related on a wise motorway. And 83% would exit the car on a conventional motorway in comparison with 76% on a wise one.
The steering stays clear: on any motorway, whether it is protected to take action, drivers ought to exit the car utilizing the facet furthest from site visitors, transfer behind a barrier, and wait upstream of their automobile.
Twin Carriageways: Higher Consciousness, however Nonetheless Room to Enhance
In terms of twin carriageways, 93% of drivers say their first motion can be to name for breakdown help. That’s encouraging. An additional 89% would swap on hazard warning lights, serving to to alert different drivers. However that also leaves 11% who may not make themselves seen.
Three-quarters of drivers would purpose to drag over shortly, which is important for security, however 1 / 4 stay not sure or unaware of this key step.
Nation Roads: A Blended Image
On rural roads, most drivers once more put calling for help first (95%), adopted by activating hazard lights (90%). Apparently, 38% mentioned they might use a warning triangle—acceptable right here underneath the precise circumstances. However 18% of these would wrongly place it subsequent to their automobile, defeating its goal and placing themselves in danger.
Solely 20% mentioned they might place the triangle the proper 45 metres behind the car.
Automobile Parks: Extra Warning, Much less Urgency
Breakdowns in automobile parks might not appear as pressing, however visibility and entry are nonetheless essential. Right here, 97% of drivers would name their breakdown supplier. Apparently, 61% would stay of their car, and solely 26% would activate hazard warning lights—probably leaving their car tougher to find or determine as damaged down. Simply 17% would concentrate on pulling over shortly, regardless of this being essential to keep away from blocking different autos or entry routes.
Conclusion: A Name for Higher Training
The information tells a compelling story—UK drivers usually know what to do, however confusion nonetheless exists, particularly round newer highway techniques like sensible motorways. Misconceptions round warning triangles, a scarcity of urgency on sure roads, and differing responses based mostly on highway sort all level to the identical want: higher, clearer driver schooling round what to do in a breakdown.
Driving instructors play a significant position in reinforcing this information, significantly with learners and new drivers. It’s price revisiting these breakdown fundamentals in classes, as the precise actions in these important early moments could make all of the distinction.
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