Motorway Breakdown – Safety Advice and Emergency Procedures
Breaking down on a motorway can be frightening. Lorries passing at 70mph. Nowhere to go. No hard shoulder on some sections.
This free guide tells you exactly what to do if you break down on any motorway – M1, M6, A14, A1(M), or any UK motorway.
First: breathe. Second: follow these steps. Third: get safe.
- Hard shoulder procedure
- Smart motorway / emergency refuge areas
- When to call 999
- What NOT to do (what could kill you)
- Essential items to keep in your car
Thousands of people break down on motorways every day. Most get home safely. You will too.
The most dangerous thing you can do is panic and make a bad decision.
Your safety comes before your car. Your car can be replaced. You cannot.
Get safe. Then call for help.
Step-by-Step – What To Do If You Break Down on a Motorway
Step 1 – Get to safety immediately
If you have a hard shoulder: Pull over as far left as possible. Left exit only. Never stop in a live lane.
If you're on a smart motorway with no hard shoulder: Reach an emergency refuge area (orange tarmac, blue sign saying "Emergency Area"). If you cannot, hazard lights on, stay in your car, call 999 immediately.
If you're in a live lane and cannot move: Hazard lights on. Stay in your car. Seatbelt on. Call 999 immediately.
Step 2 – Get visible
Hazard lights on immediately. Even during the day.
Put on a high-vis jacket if you have one. Keep one in your car for emergencies.
If you have a warning triangle, place it at least 45 metres behind your car on the hard shoulder. Never walk in a live lane.
Step 3 – Get out of the car (safely)
If you're on a hard shoulder: Get out of the passenger side. Never step into a live lane.
Get behind the barrier – away from traffic. Stand as far back as you can.
Do not stand between your car and the barrier. Do not stand in front of your car. Do not try to fix anything yourself on the motorway. It is too dangerous.
Step 4 – Call for help
If you're in danger, blocking a live lane, or on a smart motorway with no hard shoulder: Call 999 first. Ask for police or Highways England. They may need to close a lane.
If you're safe on a hard shoulder or in an emergency refuge area: Call your breakdown provider or recovery service.
Tell them: which motorway, which junction you're near, which direction you're travelling, and what colour the emergency phone sign is (blue with a white phone icon).
Step 5 – Wait safely
Wait behind the barrier. Do not get back in the car unless it is pouring rain and you are safely on a hard shoulder.
Do not accept help from strangers pulling over. They mean well, but it is dangerous.
Most recovery services will send you a live tracking link so you can see exactly where they are.
Smart motorways have no continuous hard shoulder. Only emergency refuge areas (ERA) every 1.5 miles.
If you can reach an emergency refuge area: Pull in. Orange tarmac. Blue sign saying "Emergency Area". Hazard lights on. Stay in your car with seatbelt on. Use the SOS phone (free, direct to Highways England) or call 999.
If you cannot reach an emergency refuge area: Do NOT stop in a live lane unless absolutely necessary. If you have to stop, hazard lights on. Stay in your car. Seatbelt on. Call 999 immediately. Highways England will close a lane. Do not get out of the car unless you are in danger and can safely reach behind the barrier.
Recovery providers cannot close lanes. Call 999 first on smart motorway sections.
Emergency Phone Numbers – Which One To Call?
| Situation | Who To Call First |
|---|---|
| Safe on hard shoulder or emergency refuge area | Your breakdown provider or recovery service |
| Live lane, blocking traffic | 999 (police / Highways England) |
| Smart motorway, no hard shoulder, cannot reach ERA | 999 (police / Highways England) |
| Injury or medical emergency | 999 (ambulance) |
| Fire | 999 (fire brigade) |
| You don't know what to do | Call your breakdown provider – they can talk you through it |
- Stopping in a live lane – You will be hit. Lorries do not stop quickly.
- Getting out and standing between your car and the barrier – Your car could be hit from behind, crushing you against the barrier.
- Walking along the motorway – Drivers do not expect pedestrians. You will be hit.
- Trying to fix your car on the hard shoulder – Changing a tyre on the hard shoulder is how people die. Call a professional.
- Crossing the motorway on foot – 70mph traffic both ways. You will not make it.
- Letting strangers "help" – Well-meaning drivers pulling over cause accidents. Tell them you have called recovery and they should go.
- Staying in your car on a smart motorway without a hard shoulder – If you are in a live lane, call 999 immediately.
Motorway Breakdown Safety – Applies To All UK Motorways
This safety guide applies to all UK motorways, including:
| Motorway | Special Considerations |
|---|---|
| M1 | Smart motorway J16-J19 (no hard shoulder). Emergency refuge areas every 1.5 miles. |
| M6 | Smart motorway sections. Check for hard shoulder availability. |
| A14 | Smart motorway sections. Emergency refuge areas. |
| M25 | Smart motorway sections. Variable speed limits. |
| M40, M42, M69, M62 | Check for smart motorway signage before travelling. |
Always check the specific motorway you are travelling on – smart motorway signage indicates hard shoulder availability.
What To Keep In Your Car For Motorway Emergencies
Essential items (could save your life):
Good to have: Basic first aid kit, torch, jump leads, spare tyre in good condition.
Do NOT keep in your car for motorway repairs: Toolbox (do not attempt repairs on the hard shoulder), anything that tempts you to get out of the car unnecessarily.
Need Recovery Assistance?
Visit your nearest town's recovery information page for service details, pricing, and assistance:
For pricing information, please see our pricing page.
Frequently Asked Questions – Motorway Breakdown Safety
For general questions, see our main FAQ page.
Other Road Information Pages:
M1 Motorway Information | A14 Breakdown Assistance | A43 Road Information | A45 Road Information | A6003 Road Information
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