Tips for staying safe on motorways this summer

With the August Bank Holiday fast approaching, alarming new research has revealed that 24 vehicles a week hit a parked car in a hard shoulder on a major road – an average of 3.5 every day.

Almost a fifth (19%) of these incidents result in serious injury or death, according to the study by breakdown cover provider Green Flag.

With holiday traffic set to wreak havoc on UK roads causing delays and breakdowns, research shows that a high number of traffic incidents will occur.

Over the last three years, almost 42,000 traffic incidents have taken place during bank holiday weekends, which equates to 440 per day.

Motorists should beware of motorways especially as these are a danger zone for incidents, with more than half (52%) of incidents occurring on main roads.

Alarmingly, for every traffic incident on UK roads, on average, 1.4 casualties will occur, with drivers most at risk (76%), ahead of pedestrians (18%) and passengers (5%). As a consequence, over the past three years, there have been 85,700 serious injuries or fatalities as a result of collisions on the road.

“It’s important for people to be aware of the danger of driving on motorways, which are a hotspot for traffic incidents and resulting fatalities,” said Damon Jowett of Green Flag.

“Many accidents can be prevented. If there is a vehicle stopped on the hard shoulder, drivers need to slow down and move their vehicle over to the next lane if safe to do so. This simple manoeuvre not only helps protect the drivers and passengers in the stationary vehicle, but it also safeguards our roadside workers as they assist them.”

Green Flag had this advice for motorists who break down on motorways:

• Make sure you pull to the left as soon as there’s a hint of trouble: Pull onto the hard shoulder and use this to slow to a halt. Be careful not to run over any debris and as you come to a stop, switch your hazard lights on
• Aim for an emergency phone: If you can stop near an emergency phone, so much the better. These are at one-mile intervals and will connect you directly to the police who will instantly know your location
• Never try to fix it yourself: Whatever the problem with your car, you should never attempt to mend it yourself. Unless it’s something very quick and simple like filling it with fuel, even Green Flag’s trained professionals will move a car to a safer area before working on it
• When your car is stationary: Turn the front wheels towards the verge. If the car is shunted by another vehicle this will ensure it moves away from the carriageway rather than into it. If it’s dark or visibility is poor, turn your side lights on
• Get everyone out of the car: Leave the car through the left-hand doors (the right on the Continent) and move away from the vehicle. Stand behind the crash barrier if there is one or if it’s possible, move up the verge. If you have children with you make sure they’re being looked after by a responsible adult. Keep pets in the car; they may get spooked and run onto the carriageway
• Don’t display your red warning triangle: With fast moving traffic the risks far outweigh the benefits of doing this
• Call for help: If you’re not near an emergency phone and you’ve got a mobile signal, ring either your breakdown provider or the police. The Highways Agency national switchboard is on 0300 123 5000 and is open from 07:00 to 19:00. Look for the nearest roadside marker. These are at 100m intervals and will tell you where you are, as well as pointing you towards the nearest emergency phone
• Wait near your car for assistance: Make sure your vehicle’s locked and you’re standing safely away from any moving traffic