Regardless of years of highway security campaigns, a regarding variety of drivers are nonetheless getting the fundamentals improper with regards 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 towards as a result of excessive hazard of stepping right into a reside visitors lane.
Whereas warning triangles will be helpful on quieter roads, they haven’t 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, is rarely protected in these environments. And but, 41% of drivers on common motorways and 31% on good motorways nonetheless say they’d 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’d activate hazard warning lights on an everyday motorway in the event that they broke down, that determine drops to 85% on a sensible 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 an everyday motorway—however solely 82% would do the identical on a sensible motorway. Why this hesitation exists is unclear, however the penalties will be extreme. In any motorway breakdown, alerting emergency providers or a breakdown supplier rapidly might help activate lane closures and cut back the chance of collisions.
Different responses observe the identical pattern. Whereas 88% of drivers would transfer onto the arduous shoulder if attainable on an everyday motorway, simply 47% stated they’d attempt to discover a refuge or related on a sensible motorway. And 83% would exit the car on a conventional motorway in comparison with 76% on a sensible 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 visitors, transfer behind a barrier, and wait upstream of their automobile.
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 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 purpose to tug over rapidly, which is important for security, however 1 / 4 stay uncertain 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% stated they’d use a warning triangle—acceptable right here below the correct circumstances. However 18% of these would wrongly place it subsequent to their automobile, defeating its objective and placing themselves in danger.
Solely 20% stated they’d 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 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—doubtlessly leaving their car tougher to find or establish as damaged down. Simply 17% would give attention to pulling over rapidly, regardless of this being essential to keep away from blocking different autos or entry routes.
Conclusion: A Name for Higher Training
The info tells a compelling story—UK drivers usually know what to do, however confusion nonetheless exists, particularly round newer highway techniques like good 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 an important position in reinforcing this data, significantly with learners and new drivers. It’s price revisiting these breakdown fundamentals in classes, as the correct actions in these vital early moments could make all of the distinction.
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