Regardless of years of street security campaigns, a regarding variety of drivers are nonetheless getting the fundamentals incorrect in the case of coping with breakdowns, particularly on fast-moving roads.
One significantly 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 reside visitors lane.
Whereas warning triangles might be helpful on quieter roads, they don’t have any place on motorways or good motorways, the place the dangers far outweigh the advantages. Getting into transferring visitors, even to position 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 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 mentioned they might activate hazard warning lights on an everyday motorway in the event that they broke down, that determine drops to 85% on a wise motorway. That 7% hole may appear small, however it’s vital once 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 wise motorway. Why this hesitation exists is unclear, however the penalties might be extreme. In any motorway breakdown, alerting emergency companies or a breakdown supplier shortly might help activate lane closures and cut back the danger of collisions.
Different responses comply with the identical pattern. Whereas 88% of drivers would transfer onto the laborious shoulder if doable on an everyday motorway, simply 47% mentioned they might attempt to discover a refuge or related on a wise motorway. And 83% would exit the automobile on a standard motorway in comparison with 76% on a wise one.
The steering stays clear: on any motorway, whether it is protected to take action, drivers ought to exit the automobile utilizing the facet furthest from visitors, transfer behind a barrier, and wait upstream of their automotive.
Twin Carriageways: Higher Consciousness, however Nonetheless Room to Enhance
In the case of twin carriageways, 93% of drivers say their first motion could be to name for breakdown help. That’s encouraging. An additional 89% would swap 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 shortly, which is crucial 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% mentioned they might use a warning triangle—acceptable right here underneath the proper circumstances. However 18% of these would wrongly place it subsequent to their automotive, defeating its goal and placing themselves in danger.
Solely 20% mentioned they might place the triangle the right 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 necessary. Right here, 97% of drivers would name their breakdown supplier. Curiously, 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 give attention to pulling over shortly, regardless of this being necessary to keep away from blocking different autos or entry routes.
Conclusion: A Name for Higher Schooling
The information 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 an important position in reinforcing this information, significantly with learners and new drivers. It’s value revisiting these breakdown fundamentals in classes, as the proper actions in these crucial early moments could make all of the distinction.
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