Regardless of years of highway security campaigns, a regarding variety of drivers are nonetheless getting the fundamentals mistaken in relation to coping with breakdowns, particularly on fast-moving roads.
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 because of the excessive hazard of stepping right into a reside site visitors lane.
Whereas warning triangles could 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 position a triangle 45 metres behind a car as suggested for different roads, isn’t protected in these environments. And but, 41% of drivers on common motorways and 31% on sensible motorways nonetheless say they might try it.
Motorways: Sensible 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 a daily motorway in the event that they broke down, that determine drops to 85% on a sensible motorway. That 7% hole might sound small, nevertheless it’s important once we keep in mind that many sensible motorway breakdowns happen in reside lanes, the place each second counts.
Equally, 92% of drivers would name their breakdown supplier if stranded on a daily motorway—however solely 82% would do the identical on a sensible motorway. Why this hesitation exists is unclear, however the penalties could be extreme. In any motorway breakdown, alerting emergency providers or a breakdown supplier shortly might help activate lane closures and scale back the danger of collisions.
Different responses comply with the identical pattern. Whereas 88% of drivers would transfer onto the exhausting shoulder if doable on a daily motorway, simply 47% mentioned they might attempt to discover a refuge or related on a sensible motorway. And 83% would exit the car on a standard motorway in comparison with 76% on a sensible one.
The steerage stays clear: on any motorway, whether it is protected to take action, drivers ought to exit the car utilizing the aspect 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 change on hazard warning lights, serving to to alert different drivers. However that also leaves 11% who won’t make themselves seen.
Three-quarters of drivers would intention to tug over shortly, which is crucial for security, however 1 / 4 stay uncertain or unaware of this key step.
Nation Roads: A Combined Image
On rural roads, most drivers once more put calling for help first (95%), adopted by activating hazard lights (90%). Curiously, 38% mentioned they might use a warning triangle—acceptable right here beneath the correct 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 right 45 metres behind the car.
Automotive Parks: Extra Warning, Much less Urgency
Breakdowns in automobile parks might not appear as pressing, however visibility and entry are nonetheless necessary. Right here, 97% of drivers would name their breakdown supplier. Curiously, 61% would stay of their car, and solely 26% would activate hazard warning lights—doubtlessly leaving their car more durable to find or establish as damaged down. Simply 17% would give attention to pulling over shortly, regardless of this being necessary to keep away from blocking different autos or entry routes.
Conclusion: A Name for Higher Training
The information tells a compelling story—UK drivers typically know what to do, however confusion nonetheless exists, particularly round newer highway methods like sensible motorways. Misconceptions round warning triangles, an absence of urgency on sure roads, and differing responses based mostly on highway kind all level to the identical want: higher, clearer driver schooling round what to do in a breakdown.
Driving instructors play a significant function in reinforcing this information, significantly with learners and new drivers. It’s value revisiting these breakdown fundamentals in classes, as the correct actions in these important early moments could make all of the distinction.
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