Colder climate typically triggers an increase in automotive breakdowns, with rain and frost impacting driving situations. And people autos which haven’t been nicely maintained over the summer time months are notably in danger throughout harsher climate situations.
The truth is, searches for for ‘automotive restoration close to me’ have risen by a 85% within the final three months, whereas searches for ‘breakdown cowl uk’ have risen by 50% over the identical time interval.
To assist those that might discover themselves on this scenario, the consultants at Bristol Avenue Motors have shared what to do in case your automotive breaks down.
What to do in case your automotive breaks down on a motorway:
1. Head left
The very first thing to do is stay calm. As quickly as you might be conscious that your automotive is breaking down, you should flip your hazards on to inform different highway customers that you could be be slowing down, shifting lanes or stopping.
If you happen to can, attempt to head left. This implies aiming for a tough shoulder or the closest exit to keep away from inflicting an obstruction for different highway customers.
If there isn’t any exhausting shoulder, similar to on a wise motorway, you need to attempt to head for the closest exit or an Emergency Refuge Space (ERA). These are roughly each 1.5 miles and can be utilized in the event you break down. If you happen to can not attain one among these, you need to head as far left as attainable.
2. Exit your car promptly
Upon getting made it to a protected place, cease the automotive after which go away the car promptly and safely.
If visibility is low, you need to preserve your sidelights on and put on your brightest or most reflective clothes. When exiting the automotive, all the time attempt to go away by way of the passenger aspect as that is typically the most secure possibility. Upon getting exited the car, climb over the security barrier, and attempt to keep a protected distance away from any visitors.
When you have not been capable of get into the exhausting shoulder, ERA or left lane then you shouldn’t exit the car.
Upon getting made it to a place the place you and your car are as protected as attainable, you should contact your breakdown supplier or Highways England on 0300 123 5000.
In case your automotive is in any of the dwell lanes on a motorway, you should contact 999, even you probably have made it to a protected place.
Then, whereas ready, don’t return to your automotive except completely important.
What to do in the event you break down someplace else?
If you happen to break down someplace else, then there’ll most definitely be no exhausting shoulder, so the steps differ barely.
- Pull over in the event you can, for instance right into a lay-by or onto a quieter aspect highway.
- Flip in your hazard lights to point to different drivers that you’re there.
- Exit your car, whether it is protected to take action and stand behind a barrier or as distant from the highway as you will get.
- Discover your triangle warning signal and place it 45m (roughly 60 paces) away from the rear finish of your car. Nonetheless, you will need to keep in mind that you need to by no means do that on any sort of motorway.
- Ring your breakdown firm as soon as it’s protected to take action and allow them to know the place you might be. If you don’t pay for breakdown cowl, you may nonetheless name and ask for emergency help.
Calum Thomson, Aftersales Director at Bristol Avenue Motors has commented:
“Figuring out what to do is necessary on this kind of scenario. When you have by no means skilled breaking down earlier than it could be slightly scary. The primary factor to recollect is to not panic and concentrate on getting your self to a protected location earlier than calling for help.
“Sadly, over time there might be a sure degree of wear and tear that can not be prevented. Nonetheless, we’d suggest getting your automotive frequently serviced to assist establish any faults as early as attainable to keep away from the probability of breaking down.
“And as we’re approaching winter, we’d additionally advise all the time preserving one thing heat and reflective in your automotive within the occasion you do need to vacate your car and await help by the roadside.”
