Dealing with a Motorway Breakdown: Tips and Tricks

Posted on August 23rd, 2024.

Imagine, you're driving down a busy motorway, perhaps heading to a scheduled appointment or simply enjoying a drive with your loved ones, and suddenly, your car begins to show signs of trouble. A light flashes on the dashboard or the engine starts to make peculiar noises, causing the serenity of your journey to quickly dissolve into concern.

In these situations, maintaining a sense of composure becomes your greatest asset. Adopting a mindset of preparedness can significantly impact how smoothly the situation is managed. The reality is that breakdowns can occur to any vehicle, regardless of its age or condition, making the ability to remain calm under pressure an invaluable skill.

Initial Steps to Take When Experiencing a Motorway Breakdown

When you experience a car breakdown on the motorway, it's important to handle the situation with calm and clarity. The first step is to keep an eye on your surroundings and gently guide your vehicle to a safe location, typically the hard shoulder.

Engage your indicators to signal your intention to other drivers and gradually decrease your speed. It’s paramount to avoid any sudden movements and to stay in control of your vehicle as much as possible.

Once you've safely reached the hard shoulder, switch on your hazard lights immediately to alert other road users of your halted vehicle. The flashing lights play a significant role in maintaining your safety by making your car visible from a greater distance.

Your next priority should be to secure your own personal safety and the safety of your passengers. Make sure everyone is wearing their seatbelts and that they stay inside the car until it is safe to exit.

For the best safety practice, exit the vehicle through the doors on the side facing away from the traffic. For instance, use the left-side doors in the UK. This minimises the risk of accidents involving traffic passing by at high speeds.

Moreover, it’s wise to move away from the motorway as far as possible, behind a barrier if available, and stand on a steep embankment if one is present. Avoid standing in front of your vehicle or between it and the road, as this area can be particularly dangerous due to passing traffic.

Once you and your passengers are in a safe place, it’s fundamental to notify the appropriate roadside emergency services. You can use an emergency roadside phone that can usually be found at regular intervals along the motorway or use your mobile phone if it's safe to do so.

When contacting the authorities or recovery service, be ready to provide your exact location, noting any landmarks or signage to assist them in locating you swiftly. Always keep a reflective warning triangle and a high-visibility vest in your vehicle, although on motorways, it’s generally advised not to place the warning triangle, as it might put you in harm’s way.

Instead, focus on keeping yourself and your passengers safe while help arrives. It’s also worth remembering not to attempt any repairs yourself if you're not trained, as the situation can be more dangerous than it appears. 

Seeking Breakdown Assistance and Roadside Help

When it comes to seeking breakdown assistance or roadside assistance, having the right information at hand can make the process much smoother. It’s always a good idea to keep essential contact numbers handy.

Storing these numbers in your mobile phone and having a written copy in your glove compartment can save precious time in an emergency. Key numbers you might need include your breakdown assistance service provider, insurance company, local police, and roadside emergency services.

Should your phone be out of battery, or if there’s no signal, the emergency roadside phones positioned at regular intervals along the motorway become invaluable. These phones are clearly marked and easy to find, leading directly to the motorway control centre, which can pinpoint your location and send the necessary help.

Once you've connected with breakdown assistance services, being prepared with relevant information can help expedite help. You’ll need to provide your current location; motorway emergency phones are typically equipped with markers that identify your exact position, but if using your mobile, look out for the small blue signs that detail your location in kilometres from a set starting point.

Mentioning any landmarks, service stations, or exits can be incredibly helpful. Additionally, describe the nature of your vehicle's problem—whether it's a flat tyre, engine trouble, or another issue—so the recovery service knows the type of emergency vehicle repair needed and can bring the right equipment.

If you’re using an emergency phone, it's safer to walk facing the oncoming traffic and stay as far from the road's edge as possible. Always keep an eye on your surroundings and be aware of traffic conditions.

Handling Common Issues such as Flat Tyre Repairs

Tyre issues are among the most ordinary problems motorists face, yet handling them requires precision and caution. If the vehicle shows signs of a puncture in a safe location with ample space away from the road traffic for operation, follow necessary precautionary measures:

• Start by placing the car in first gear (or park, for automatic vehicles) and apply the handbrake.
• Then, remove the spare tyre, jack, and wheel brace from your boot, ensuring these tools are close at hand before you begin.
• Safety comes first; wearing a high-visibility vest is essential to make sure you remain visible to other drivers.
• Start by slightly loosening the nuts of the flat tyre before you jack up the car. Do this while the vehicle is still on the ground to ensure stability and ease.
• Then, locate a secure jacking point, usually specified in your car’s manual, and raise the car until the flat tyre is clear off the ground.
• Fully remove the loosened nuts and carefully take off the flat tyre, ensuring you place it flat on the ground to prevent it from rolling away.
• Next, fit the spare tyre by aligning it with the wheel bolts, affix the nuts, and tighten them by hand initially.
• Lower the car back down gradually and tighten the nuts further using the wheel brace, following a criss-cross pattern for even tightening.

If a spare tyre is unavailable or you find it daunting to change a tyre on such short notice, opting for professional vehicle recovery services becomes paramount. These specialists, armed with equipment and expertise, can promptly address the issue, bringing perfection to what might be an overwhelming task for many.

Furthermore, recognising when a tyre repair isn’t feasible, such as in cases with extensive damage or multiple punctures, knowing and having access to a reliable recovery service mitigates prolonged stress. This approach ensures your journey can resume as smoothly as possible, minimising potential dangers associated with aborted self-repairs on a busy motorway.

Related: https://oxfordvehiclerecovery.com/blogs/what-are-the-best-safety-tips-for-a-roadside-emergency

Final Words

Experiencing a car breakdown on a busy motorway can be a stressful and potentially dangerous situation. However, by remaining calm and prepared, and following necessary safety precautions, such as moving your vehicle to a safe location and contacting emergency services, you can effectively handle the situation.

Keeping essential contact numbers and equipment, such as a reflective warning triangle and high-visibility vest, can also aid in seeking breakdown assistance and roadside help. When it comes to common issues such as flat tyre repairs, it is important to follow proper procedures or seek professional help to ensure the safety of yourself and others on the road.

Oxford Vehicle Breakdown Recovery is here to offer an unmatched level of service and support. Our Car Towing Service guarantee that not only is your vehicle moved to safety swiftly but also that you receive the type of customer care that leaves you reassured and confident that your crisis will soon be resolved efficiently.

Whether you've encountered a sudden flat tyre, experienced an unexpected engine failure, or been involved in any form of incident, our team is equipped and ready to assist you with the utmost professionalism. The key to managing such a situation lies in knowing that help is a phone call away.

With a quick dial to +077 0321 2457, you will reach our responsive team, who will gather essential information and dispatch assistance promptly. Additionally, keeping [email protected] in your contacts ensures that even in areas with mobile signal issues, you've got direct avenues to reach us.