Nearly 80% of drivers would unknowingly put themselves in danger after breaking down on the motorway, a new survey shows.
Only 22% of the 1,900 drivers surveyed by the RAC would do the right thing after breaking down on one of the UK’s fastest roads – standing to the rear of their vehicle and as far as possible from traffic, ideally behind a barrier if there was one.
The RAC says 11% of respondents said they would stay in their vehicle, leaving them at greater risk of being seriously injured or killed if another vehicle were to hit them.
Some 65% would also unwittingly put themselves at risk by standing either in front of or next to their car, where they could be hit in the event of another driver colliding with their broken-down vehicle.
The RAC says the survey corresponds with reports from nearly 200 of its patrols, who found 78% of drivers they have attended who had broken down on motorways were still in their vehicles when they arrived.
In an effort to keep drivers safe after breaking down on a motorway, RAC patrols Glen Johnson and James Pallister came up with the idea of making a video highlighting exactly how people should get out of their vehicles and where they should stand.
The film is shared with all RAC members who are unfortunate enough to break down on a motorway and is also available for everyone to benefit from on YouTube.
Glen Johnson, who has been an RAC patrol since 2018 and works around the North West of England, said: “Standing in the wrong place in the event of a breakdown on a high-speed road can be the difference between staying safe and being seriously injured, or worse.
“Our number-one priority is ensuring our members stay safe on the roads, so we’re always looking for new ways to communicate the right thing to do after breaking down. That’s why we thought a video would be the best way to show drivers what to do while they wait for help if they’re unlucky enough to break down on one of our fastest roads.”
James Pallister, who has been an RAC patrol since 2015 and works around the North East of England, said: “Increasingly, when we arrive at the scene of a motorway breakdown we find members still inside their vehicles, or stood next to or in front of them – two of the most dangerous places to be with vehicles approaching at fast speeds.
“Instead, our advice to drivers and their passengers is to use the doors furthest from the traffic to leave their vehicle, stand to the rear of their vehicle, facing and as far away from oncoming traffic as possible, behind a barrier if there is one.
“The only exception to this is if someone has mobility difficulties and can’t easily leave the vehicle – in which case they should keep their seatbelt on and call 999.”
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