A breakdown on a fast road is dangerous mostly because of the traffic behind you, not because of the vehicle. The steps below are in the order that matters. If anyone is hurt or in danger, call the police or an ambulance first.
Get the vehicle out of the traffic
- 1Switch on your hazard lights as soon as the vehicle starts to fail.
- 2Steer to the shoulder, as far from the traffic lane as you safely can. If you cannot reach it, stop where you are and keep your hazard lights on.
- 3Apply the handbrake, and on a slope put the vehicle in gear and turn the wheels away from the road.
- 4Switch off the engine.
Get yourselves out of danger
- If the vehicle is on the shoulder, get everyone out on the side away from traffic and wait behind the barrier or well off the road.
- If you cannot leave the vehicle safely, stay in it with seat belts on and hazard lights flashing.
- Leave the bonnet closed unless you know what you are doing: a person bending over an engine is hard to see.
- Place a warning triangle or reflective marker well behind the vehicle if you have one and it is safe to do so.
Work out exactly where you are
Help can only find you if you can say where you are. Look for a kilometre marker, a toll plaza, an exit number or a landmark, and note which direction you are travelling. Your phone's live location is the quickest way to share it.
Call for help and say what you need
- Tell the tow service the vehicle type, whether it is automatic or electric, and what happened.
- Say whether the vehicle rolls and steers, or is damaged.
- Give the drop point you want: your garage or service centre.
What not to do
- Do not stand or walk in the traffic lane to wave for help.
- Do not let a passing vehicle tow you with a rope on a highway.
- Do not keep driving on a flat tyre, weak brakes or an overheating engine.
On Towigo you can book from your phone, share your live location, see the fare first and follow the truck on a map while you wait somewhere safe.