5 Roadside Safety Tips You NEED to Know
Whether you’re a new or experienced driver, there’s one thing we all hope to avoid when on the road - finding ourselves in a roadside pickle and in need of vehicle recovery services. From flat tires to unexpected breakdowns, the open road can throw some serious curveballs our way. But fear not! Staying safe while waiting for help—or handling an emergency—doesn’t have to be daunting. In this post, we highlight five essential roadside safety tips that every driver should know.
Signal and Move to a Safe Location.
The moment you notice any trouble in your car, start signalling and move your vehicle to a secure and level spot, like a hard shoulder, layby, or exit. If this is not feasible, aim to shift as far left as you can in order to distance yourself from passing vehicles. Remember to immediately activate your hazard lights as a precautionary measure for other drivers.
Remain Inside Your Vehicle or Move Behind a Barrier.
When on a busy motorway, prioritise your safety! Staying inside your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened is generally the safest option. However, if you must leave, use the doors farthest from traffic. Seek shelter in an elevated area, like behind a crash barrier. And remember to never position yourself directly in front or behind your vehicle.
Be Safe - Be Seen!
Make Yourself Visible. If you have a high-visibility jacket then pop this on before exiting your vehicle. And, if you have a warning triangle this can be deployed to give other drivers ample warning, especially if you have broken down around a bend or hill on country or urban roads. This should be placed about 45 metres away from your vehicle (about 10 car lengths).
DO take extreme caution when deploying and retrieving.
DO NOT use warning triangles on the motorway!
Call for Vehicle Recovery Services.
In the event of a roadside breakdown, use your mobile phone to call for vehicle recovery services.
If a phone is not available and you have broken down on the motorway, an orange emergency telephone can be found every mile along the hard shoulder. These phones are connected directly to the police or National Highways, are free, and make it easier for services to pinpoint your exact location.
If a phone is not available to you and you have broken down on a regular road, if safe to do so try a local garage, or nearby residential abode and ask them to contact breakdown services on your behalf.
In the event that a kind passerby offers assistance, you may politely request for them to contact either the authorities or a roadside assistance company on your behalf.
It is recommended in all scenarios, as you wait you should keep your vehicle's doors securely locked.
Keep an Emergency Kit in your Vehicle.
Always be prepared - and ready for the unpredictable by maintaining an emergency kit in your car. This should include essential items such as; a flashlight, high-visibility jacket, warning triangle, first-aid kit, jump leads, empty fuel can, portable power bank/phone charger, warm blanket, non-perishable snacks, and water.
If you do find yourself in a pickle on the roadside, having a trustworthy partner to turn to to recover you - and your vehicle can make all the difference. Contact Move It Recovery LTD for exceptional vehicle recovery services that prioritise safety and security above all else.
In case you need it, save our number 07870 861297 to your phone - and rest assured we’ll be with you as quickly as we can.