Don’t get stranded on the motorway - GEM’s tips for breakdown safety

· Main causes of motorway breakdowns involve batteries, tyres or fuel

· Regular maintenance and pre-journey checks significantly reduce the risk of breaking down

· Stay safe if your car does break down - don’t put out a warning triangle or attempt any repairs on the motorway

We're urging motorists to ensure they check batteries, tyres and fuel levels before driving on the motorway. Regular checks of tyres, battery and fuel/charge levels reduce the likelihood of an avoidable and potentially dangerous motorway breakdown, according to GEM.

Breaking down on the motorway can be frightening and dangerous for you, your passengers and the professional crew who come out to rescue you and recover your car.

GEM head of road safety James Luckhurst said: “Figures show there are more than 500 breakdowns every day on motorways in England alone, most of which could be prevented through regular maintenance and simple pre-journey checks1.

“Stopping on the motorway is very dangerous. That’s why breakdown organisations like GEM urge you to make it to the next service area or junction if you possibly can.

We also encourage you to familiarise yourself with motorway breakdown safety advice, so that if you do break down and need to stop on the motorway, you will know what to do to help reduce the risk to yourself and your passengers”.

Before your journey

Check batteries and tyres. Also check you have plenty of fuel or charge to avoid a potentially costly and dangerous breakdown.

If you do break down

GEM’s tips support the road safety advice issued by National Highways:

· If your car is malfunctioning, aim to leave the motorway at the next junction or services. If this isn’t possible, move left into the hard shoulder or the nearest emergency area.

· Put your hazard lights on.

· If you can, get out of the vehicle via the passenger door. Move onto the other side of any safety barrier. Stand beyond the barrier or verge, in a position behind the vehicle.

· Don’t attempt any repairs to your vehicle, and don’t put out a warning triangle

· Call National Highways on 0300 123 5000; then a breakdown provider for help

· If you cannot do the above, or in an emergency, stay in your vehicle, keep seatbelts and hazard lights on. Call 999 immediately.

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GEM Motoring Assist is a members’ motoring and road safety organisation in the UK. Our aim is to keep our members on the move… whether that’s through our breakdown recovery service or our motoring and road safety expertise.

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