Regardless of years of highway security campaigns, a regarding variety of drivers are nonetheless getting the fundamentals flawed on the subject of 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 straight subsequent to their broken-down automobile on a motorway—an motion explicitly suggested in opposition to as a result of excessive hazard of stepping right into a reside site visitors lane.
Whereas warning triangles will 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 shifting site visitors, even to position a triangle 45 metres behind a automobile 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’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 mentioned 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 vital 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 companies or a breakdown supplier rapidly can assist activate lane closures and scale back the danger of collisions.
Different responses observe the identical pattern. Whereas 88% of drivers would transfer onto the onerous shoulder if potential on an everyday motorway, simply 47% mentioned they’d attempt to discover a refuge or comparable on a sensible motorway. And 83% would exit the automobile on a conventional motorway in comparison with 76% on a sensible one.
The steering stays clear: on any motorway, whether it is secure to take action, drivers ought to exit the automobile utilizing the facet furthest from site visitors, transfer behind a barrier, and wait upstream of their automotive.
Twin Carriageways: Higher Consciousness, however Nonetheless Room to Enhance
In terms of 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 purpose to tug over rapidly, which is crucial for security, however 1 / 4 stay uncertain 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’d use a warning triangle—acceptable right here underneath the fitting circumstances. However 18% of these would wrongly place it subsequent to their automotive, defeating its objective and placing themselves in danger.
Solely 20% mentioned they’d place the triangle the proper 45 metres behind the automobile.
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 automobile, and solely 26% would activate hazard warning lights—doubtlessly leaving their automobile tougher to find or establish as damaged down. Simply 17% would deal with pulling over rapidly, regardless of this being essential to keep away from blocking different autos or entry routes.
Conclusion: A Name for Higher Schooling
The information tells a compelling story—UK drivers usually know what to do, however confusion nonetheless exists, particularly round newer highway methods 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 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 fitting actions in these crucial early moments could make all of the distinction.
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