Let’s face it: sometimes, you just run out of luck.  No matter how much time to spend checking the oil-levels, planning the route and making sure that your tyre pressure is perfect, sometimes your beloved motor is just going to give up the ghost at the worst possible moment: on a motorway.

Assuming that you’re aware that immediately bolting out of your car and running across a four lane intersection whilst screaming like a headless chicken isn’t the sensible option, here are the things to do (and not to do) whilst waiting for your UK breakdown cover to arrive:

Don’t: Pull over on the hard shoulder without thinking.  The motorway hard shoulder is very dangerous, and should only be used in extreme circumstances.  Wherever possible, try and get to a safer, quieter section of the road.  Never, ever use the hard shoulder to answer the phone, pop to the toilet or to confirm a route.  It won’t end well.

Do: Make Other Drivers Aware Of Your Problems.  This doesn’t mean get out and yell ‘my car’s knackered’ at them, but ensure that you have your hazard flashers and your sidelights on. 

Don’t: Get out on the right hand side.  Always pull over as far left as you can, with your wheels also all facing left.  Make sure that everyone in the car leaves the vehicle by the left door, and waits a safe distance from the road.

Do: Wear any fleurescent jackets if you have them.  They will make a big difference in ensuring that you are more visible to other motorway users.

Don’t: Bring your pets out of the vehicle unless absolutely necessary.  The last thing your UK breakdown cover team arriving to find you howling over the body of your dog/pavement pizza.

Do: Call your UK breakdown team from a safe location.  If you don’t have a mobile phone in your possession, then walk to the nearest roadside telephone on your side of the motorway: make no attempt to cross the motorway at any point – it’s not worth the risk.

Don’t: Attempt any repairs of any kind.  It doesn’t matter even if you did shake hands with the Stig once – the motorway hard shoulder is no place to be conducting repairs of any kind: it’s simply not safe.

Do: always remember to approach situations like these with the utmost precaution.  Learner drivers aren’t let on motorways for a reason: they’re lethal if not treated with the utmost respect.

To see just how cheap UK breakdown cover can be, give our team a call on 0800 0199519.