Regardless of years of street security campaigns, a regarding variety of drivers are nonetheless getting the fundamentals fallacious in relation to coping with breakdowns, particularly on fast-moving roads.
One notably alarming discovering from a current survey is that 1 in 10 drivers (13%) would place a warning triangle straight subsequent to their broken-down car on a motorway—an motion explicitly suggested towards because of the excessive hazard of stepping right into a stay visitors lane.
Whereas warning triangles may be helpful on quieter roads, they don’t have any place on motorways or good motorways, the place the dangers far outweigh the advantages. Entering into shifting 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 good 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 stated 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 may appear small, however it’s important after we keep in mind that many good motorway breakdowns happen in stay 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 may be extreme. In any motorway breakdown, alerting emergency providers or a breakdown supplier shortly will help activate lane closures and scale back the danger of collisions.
Different responses observe the identical pattern. Whereas 88% of drivers would transfer onto the laborious shoulder if doable on a daily motorway, simply 47% stated they might attempt to discover a refuge or comparable 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 visitors, transfer behind a barrier, and wait upstream of their automotive.
Twin Carriageways: Higher Consciousness, however Nonetheless Room to Enhance
In terms of twin carriageways, 93% of drivers say their first motion could be to name for breakdown help. That’s encouraging. An extra 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 goal 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% stated they might use a warning triangle—acceptable right here underneath the best circumstances. However 18% of these would wrongly place it subsequent to their automotive, defeating its function and placing themselves in danger.
Solely 20% stated they might place the triangle the proper 45 metres behind the car.
Automobile Parks: Extra Warning, Much less Urgency
Breakdowns in automotive parks could not appear as pressing, however visibility and entry are nonetheless essential. 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—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 automobiles or entry routes.
Conclusion: A Name for Higher Schooling
The info tells a compelling story—UK drivers typically know what to do, however confusion nonetheless exists, particularly round newer street techniques like good motorways. Misconceptions round warning triangles, an absence of urgency on sure roads, and differing responses based mostly on street kind all level to the identical want: higher, clearer driver training round what to do in a breakdown.
Driving instructors play a significant function in reinforcing this information, notably with learners and new drivers. It’s price revisiting these breakdown fundamentals in classes, as the best actions in these essential early moments could make all of the distinction.
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