Regardless of years of highway security campaigns, a regarding variety of drivers are nonetheless getting the fundamentals mistaken 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 as a result of excessive hazard of stepping right into a reside visitors lane.
Whereas warning triangles might 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, is rarely secure 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 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, however it’s vital after we do not forget 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 a daily motorway—however solely 82% would do the identical on a sensible motorway. Why this hesitation exists is unclear, however the penalties might be extreme. In any motorway breakdown, alerting emergency providers or a breakdown supplier rapidly might help activate lane closures and scale back the danger of collisions.
Different responses observe the identical development. Whereas 88% of drivers would transfer onto the laborious shoulder if potential on a daily motorway, simply 47% stated they might attempt to discover a refuge or related 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 secure 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
In relation to twin carriageways, 93% of drivers say their first motion can be to name for breakdown help. That’s encouraging. An extra 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 intention 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% stated they might use a warning triangle—acceptable right here below the precise 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.
Automobile Parks: Extra Warning, Much less Urgency
Breakdowns in automobile parks might not appear as pressing, however visibility and entry are nonetheless vital. 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 give attention to pulling over rapidly, 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 highway techniques like good motorways. Misconceptions round warning triangles, an absence of urgency on sure roads, and differing responses primarily based on highway sort all level to the identical want: higher, clearer driver schooling round what to do in a breakdown.
Driving instructors play a significant function in reinforcing this data, notably with learners and new drivers. It’s price revisiting these breakdown fundamentals in classes, as the precise actions in these important early moments could make all of the distinction.
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