Regardless of years of highway security campaigns, a regarding variety of drivers are nonetheless getting the fundamentals flawed in terms 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 immediately subsequent to their broken-down car on a motorway—an motion explicitly suggested in opposition to as a result of excessive hazard of stepping right into a dwell visitors lane.
Whereas warning triangles will be helpful on quieter roads, they don’t have any place on motorways or sensible motorways, the place the dangers far outweigh the advantages. Entering into shifting visitors, even to position a triangle 45 metres behind a car as suggested for different roads, is rarely secure in these environments. And but, 41% of drivers on common motorways and 31% on sensible 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 stated they’d activate hazard warning lights on a daily 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 important after we do not forget that many sensible motorway breakdowns happen in dwell 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 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 shortly may also help activate lane closures and cut back the danger of collisions.
Different responses observe the identical development. Whereas 88% of drivers would transfer onto the laborious shoulder if attainable on a daily motorway, simply 47% stated they’d attempt to discover a refuge or related on a wise motorway. And 83% would exit the car on a standard motorway in comparison with 76% on a wise one.
The steering stays clear: on any motorway, whether it is secure to take action, drivers ought to exit the car 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
Relating 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 may not make themselves seen.
Three-quarters of drivers would intention to drag over shortly, which is crucial for security, however 1 / 4 stay not sure or unaware of this key step.
Nation Roads: A Blended Image
On rural roads, most drivers once more put calling for help first (95%), adopted by activating hazard lights (90%). Curiously, 38% stated they’d use a warning triangle—acceptable right here below the appropriate circumstances. However 18% of these would wrongly place it subsequent to their automobile, defeating its goal and placing themselves in danger.
Solely 20% stated they’d place the triangle the right 45 metres behind the car.
Automobile Parks: Extra Warning, Much less Urgency
Breakdowns in automobile 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 car, and solely 26% would activate hazard warning lights—probably leaving their car more durable to find or determine as damaged down. Simply 17% would deal with pulling over shortly, regardless of this being essential to keep away from blocking different autos 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 sensible motorways. Misconceptions round warning triangles, an absence 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 position in reinforcing this information, significantly with learners and new drivers. It’s value revisiting these breakdown fundamentals in classes, as the appropriate actions in these essential early moments could make all of the distinction.
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