Regardless of years of street security campaigns, a regarding variety of drivers are nonetheless getting the fundamentals improper with regards 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 instantly subsequent to their broken-down automobile on a motorway—an motion explicitly suggested towards because of the excessive hazard of stepping right into a stay visitors lane.
Whereas warning triangles could be helpful on quieter roads, they don’t have any place on motorways or sensible motorways, the place the dangers far outweigh the advantages. Getting into shifting visitors, even to put a triangle 45 metres behind a automobile as suggested for different roads, is rarely protected in these environments. And but, 41% of drivers on common motorways and 31% on sensible 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, nevertheless it’s important after we keep in mind that many sensible 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 could be extreme. In any motorway breakdown, alerting emergency providers or a breakdown supplier shortly will help activate lane closures and scale back the chance of collisions.
Different responses comply with the identical pattern. Whereas 88% of drivers would transfer onto the onerous 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 automobile on a standard 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 automobile 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 relation to 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 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 might use a warning triangle—acceptable right here below the best circumstances. 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 automobile.
Automotive Parks: Extra Warning, Much less Urgency
Breakdowns in automotive parks might not appear as pressing, however visibility and entry are nonetheless vital. Right here, 97% of drivers would name their breakdown supplier. Apparently, 61% would stay of their automobile, and solely 26% would activate hazard warning lights—probably leaving their automobile more durable to find or establish as damaged down. Simply 17% would deal with pulling over shortly, regardless of this being vital 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 sensible 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 an important position 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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