What to Do If Your Car Breaks Down
Here are the 10 essential safety steps every NI driver needs to know.
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Find a “Place of Relative Safety”
If your vehicle develops a fault, don’t stop immediately if you can help it. Aim for a layby, service area, or the far left of the hard shoulder. Turn your wheels to the left so that if the car is hit, it is pushed away from traffic.
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Kill the Engine
Once safely positioned, switch off the engine. This prevents further mechanical damage and reduces the risk of fire, especially if you suspect a fluid leak.
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Immediate Visibility: Hazards & Sidelights
Switch on your hazard warning lights immediately. If it is dark, foggy, or raining, you must also turn on your sidelights. This is crucial for “Primary Visibility”—ensuring high-speed traffic sees you from a distance.
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Exit via the “Safe Side” (Left-Hand Door)
In the UK and NI, always exit your vehicle through the passenger (left-hand) doors. Stepping out into a live lane of traffic is the most common cause of roadside fatalities.
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Evacuate All Passengers
If there is a risk of your car being hit, get everyone out. On motorways or dual carriageways, move passengers behind the crash barrier and as far up the embankment as possible.
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Wear High-Visibility Clothing
Keep a reflective jacket in your glovebox, not the boot. Putting this on before you exit the car ensures you are visible to other drivers the moment you step out.
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Using Warning Triangles (The “No Motorway” Rule)
On standard roads, place a warning triangle at least 45 metres (approx. 60 paces) behind your vehicle.
- CRITICAL SAFETY TIP: Never use a warning triangle on a motorway. It is too dangerous to walk along the hard shoulder to place it.
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Don’t Stand Between Vehicles
Never stand behind your car or between your car and oncoming traffic. If a vehicle collides with yours, you could be crushed. Stay well clear and remain alert.
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Call for Professional Assistance
Contact your breakdown provider. If you are in a vulnerable position or on a “smart motorway” section without a hard shoulder, call 999 immediately.
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Stay Inside Only if Necessary
The safest place is almost always outside the car, behind a barrier. However, if you are a vulnerable driver or feel threatened, stay inside with the doors locked and seatbelts on until help arrives.
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Article in association with http://www.drivingtestsuccess.com
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