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.
One significantly alarming discovering from a current survey is that 1 in 10 drivers (13%) would place a warning triangle immediately 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 stay 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. Getting into shifting visitors, even to put a triangle 45 metres behind a automobile as suggested for different roads, isn’t protected in these environments. And but, 41% of drivers on common motorways and 31% on good 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 an everyday motorway in the event that they broke down, that determine drops to 85% on a wise motorway. That 7% hole might sound small, nevertheless it’s important once we do not forget that many good motorway breakdowns happen in stay 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 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% stated they might attempt to discover a refuge or related on a wise motorway. And 83% would exit the automobile on a conventional motorway in comparison with 76% on a wise one.
The steerage 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 automobile.
Twin Carriageways: Higher Consciousness, however Nonetheless Room to Enhance
On the subject of 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 drag 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%). Apparently, 38% stated they might use a warning triangle—acceptable right here beneath the best situations. However 18% of these would wrongly place it subsequent to their automobile, defeating its goal 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 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 automobile, and solely 26% would activate hazard warning lights—doubtlessly leaving their automobile more durable to find or determine as damaged down. Simply 17% would give attention to pulling over rapidly, regardless of this being essential to keep away from blocking different automobiles or entry routes.
Conclusion: A Name for Higher Schooling
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, a scarcity of urgency on sure roads, and differing responses primarily based 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 data, significantly with learners and new drivers. It’s value revisiting these breakdown fundamentals in classes, as the best actions in these crucial early moments could make all of the distinction.
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