Breakdowns on UK Motorways - Do not use warning triangles

[Deleted member 967]

I have just got around to reading MMM April 2011 in which there is an article about breakdowns.

I was suprised to read that you do not put warning triangles behind your broken down vehicle on UK Motoways unlike the advice given in France and Spain.

Quote The Highway Code.
Breakdowns and incidents (274-287)

Breakdowns

274

If your vehicle breaks down, think first of all other road users and
•get your vehicle off the road if possible
•warn other traffic by using your hazard warning lights if your vehicle is causing an obstruction
•help other road users see you by wearing light-coloured or fluorescent clothing in daylight and reflective clothing at night or in poor visibility
•put a warning triangle on the road at least 45 metres (147 feet) behind your broken-down vehicle on the same side of the road, or use other permitted warning devices if you have them. Always take great care when placing or retrieving them, but never use them on motorways
•if possible, keep your sidelights on if it is dark or visibility is poor
•do not stand (or let anybody else stand) between your vehicle and oncoming traffic
•at night or in poor visibility do not stand where you will prevent other road users seeing your lights.


Additional rules for the motorway

275

If your vehicle develops a problem, leave the motorway at the next exit or pull into a service area. If you cannot do so, you should
•pull on to the hard shoulder and stop as far to the left as possible, with your wheels turned to the left
•try to stop near an emergency telephone (situated at approximately one-mile intervals along the hard shoulder)
•leave the vehicle by the left-hand door and ensure your passengers do the same. You MUST leave any animals in the vehicle or, in an emergency, keep them under proper control on the verge. Never attempt to place a warning triangle on a motorway
•do not put yourself in danger by attempting even simple repairs
•ensure that passengers keep away from the carriageway and hard shoulder, and that children are kept under control
•walk to an emergency telephone on your side of the carriageway (follow the arrows on the posts at the back of the hard shoulder) – the telephone is free of charge and connects directly to the Highways Agency or the police. Use these in preference to a mobile phone (see Rule 283). Always face the traffic when you speak on the phone
•give full details to the Highways Agency or the police; also inform them if you are a vulnerable motorist such as disabled, older or travelling alone
•return and wait near your vehicle (well away from the carriageway and hard shoulder)
•if you feel at risk from another person, return to your vehicle by a left-hand door and lock all doors. Leave your vehicle again as soon as you feel this danger has passed

[Laws MT(E&W)R reg 14 & MT(S)R reg 12]

277

If you cannot get your vehicle onto the hard shoulder
•do not attempt to place any warning device on the carriageway
•switch on your hazard warning lights
•leave your vehicle only when you can safely get clear of the carriageway

In Spain you are required to carry two triangles and employ them if you breakdown on any road including Motorways.

 

[Deleted member 207]

I'd say that piece of advice dates back a few decades - when I was driving lorries in the UK in the 1970s it was not uncommon to read of people trying to take refuge behind their broken down car when another vehicle ploughed into the back of them, rather than walking well away from the broken down car. The early days of motorway traffic in the UK - 1960s - saw all sorts of weird behaviour which then saw regulations prohibiting certain behaviour - picnics in the central reserve!! walking a horse across the motorway!! bicycling in the outside lane!! U turns across the central reserve!! etc etc - no doubt we can think of plenty of others.

 

[fairytooth]

The thinking behind it is that 1. You put yourself in danger walking back to place the triangle, and 2. These lightweight triangles get sucked into the slipstream of lorries and other large/fast vehicles.

All based on statistical analysis of fatal accidents, so good advice really.

 

[Deleted member 967]

The only time I have deployed a triangle in the UK was in the late 60s. I broke down with a coach (valve through piston) on a country road. I put the triangle out to warn vehicles approaching from behind as there was a bend. When I went back to retrieve it someone had pinched it.