Regardless of years of street security campaigns, a regarding variety of drivers are nonetheless getting the fundamentals mistaken relating 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 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 reside visitors lane.
Whereas warning triangles could be helpful on quieter roads, they don’t have any place on motorways or good motorways, the place the dangers far outweigh the advantages. Moving into shifting visitors, even to put a triangle 45 metres behind a car as suggested for different roads, is rarely secure in these environments. And but, 41% of drivers on common motorways and 31% on good 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 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 wise motorway. That 7% hole might sound small, but it surely’s important after we keep in mind that many good 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 wise motorway. Why this hesitation exists is unclear, however the penalties could be extreme. In any motorway breakdown, alerting emergency companies or a breakdown supplier shortly may also 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 arduous shoulder if attainable on a daily motorway, simply 47% stated they might attempt to discover a refuge or comparable 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 secure 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
With regards to twin carriageways, 93% of drivers say their first motion could be to name for breakdown help. That’s encouraging. An extra 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 important for security, however 1 / 4 stay not sure 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 precise situations. However 18% of these would wrongly place it subsequent to their automotive, defeating its objective 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 establish as damaged down. Simply 17% would give attention to pulling over shortly, regardless of this being essential to keep away from blocking different autos 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 programs like good motorways. Misconceptions round warning triangles, a scarcity of urgency on sure roads, and differing responses primarily based 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, 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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