The dangers of breaking down on a busy motorway and sitting in the car awaiting rescue was brought into sharp focus again following a fatal accident on the M6 motorway.

The driver in question had broken down just after 3am near Walsall when his car was hit by a lorry that had failed to see him in the dark. Police were forced to close the road to clear the scene and begin investigations into how it happened.

The terrible incident serves as a reminder of how important it is to ensure you have good breakdown cover that guarantee a quick recovery time to minimise the time you spend on the Motorway and also of how to behave if the worst does happen and your car breaks down.

It follows a spate of similar accidents up and down the country, some of which could have been avoided if the drivers had followed RescueMyCar’s simple five step plan for motorway breakdown.

·     If you feel as though your car is coming to a stop pull as far off the motorway as possible and put your lights and hazard warning lights on.

·     As soon as it is safe to do so exit the car from the side of the car away from the traffic.

Stand a safe distance from the car and call for breakdown recovery and infrom the police of your position.

Stay where you are and await recovery.

If you feel in danger and HAVE to wait in the car put your seatbelts on and ensure that all lights are ON.

>> For more car breakdown tips see our car breakdown advice feature or call the RescueMyCar team on 0800 0199519.